EXHIBIT 4.2 ================================================================================ CUSIP 224062AA7 11 1/4% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 No. 1 $75,000,000 COYNE INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES CORP. promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of Seventy Five Million Dollars on June 1, 2008. Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1. Record Dates: May 15 and November 15. COYNE INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES CORP. By:________________________________ Name: Title: By:________________________________ Name: Title: This is one of the Global Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture: IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee By: _________________________ Dated: June 26, 1998 Name: Title: ================================================================================ 11 1/4% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY. THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (SUBJECT TO THE DELIVERY OF SUCH EVIDENCE, IF ANY REQUIRED UNDER THE INDENTURE PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE IS ISSUED) AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (1)(a) TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), SUBJECT TO THE RECEIPT BY THE REGISTRAR OF A CERTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFEROR AND AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTION SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated. 1. Interest. Coyne International Enterprises Corp., a New York corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 11 1/4% per annum from June 26, 1998 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Liquidated Damages semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be December 1, 1998. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1.0% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. 2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. 3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity. 4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 26, 1998 ("Indenture") among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code (S)(S) 77aaa-77bbbb) (the "TIA"). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are obligations of the Company limited to $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount plus amounts, if any, issued to pay Liquidated Damages on outstanding Notes as set forth in Paragraph 2 hereof. 5. Optional Redemption. The Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 1, 2003. Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to redemption at any time at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below: Year Percentage - ---- ---------- 2003............................................................. 105.625% 2004............................................................. 103.750% 2005............................................................. 101.875% 2006 and thereafter.............................................. 100.000% 6. Mandatory Redemption. Except as set forth in Paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes. 7. Repurchase at Option of Holder. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of each Holder's Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of repurchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture. (b) If the Company or a Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, when the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $5.0 million, the Company shall be required to make an offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture and such other Indebtedness. To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Notes. 8. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. 9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date. 10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes under the Indenture. 11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (and Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (and Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees or may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's or the Guarantor's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture. 12. Defaults and Remedies. (a) Events of Default under the Indenture include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10 and 4.15 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default") or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $5.0 million or more; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $5.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. (b) If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or principal of, the Notes. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. 13. Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee. 14. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder, of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. 15. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. 16. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entirety), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). 17. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Initial Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, between the Company and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of any Additional Notes. 18. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon. The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to: Coyne International Enterprises Corp. 140 Cortland Avenue P.O. Box 4854 Syracuse, NY 13221 Telecopier No.: (315) 475-9978 Attention: Chief Financial Officer ASSIGNMENT FORM To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to ________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint_________________________________________________________ ______ to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. ________________________________________________________________________________ Date: ________________ Your Signature:___________________________________ ______ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) Tax Identification No:____________________________ SIGNATURE GUARANTEE: _________________________________ Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below: [_] Section 4.10 [_] Section 4.15 If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $________ Date: ________________ Your Signature:___________________________________ ______ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) Tax Identification No:____________________________ SIGNATURE GUARANTEE: _________________________________ Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made: Principal Amount Amount of decrease Amount of increase of this Global Note Signature of in Principal in Principal following such authorized officer Amount of this Amount of this decrease of Trustee or Date of Exchange Global Note Global Note (or increase) Note Custodian - ---------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of June 26, 1998 (the "Indenture") among Coyne International Enterprises Corp., the Guarantors signatories thereto and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (as defined in the Indenture), whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal and premium, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to make such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that the Indebtedness evidenced by this Subsidiary Guarantee shall cease to be so subordinated and subject in right of payment upon any defeasance of this Note in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. Blue Ridge Textile Manufacturing, Inc. By:___________________________________ Name: Title: Clean Towel Service, Inc. By:___________________________________ Name: Title: Ohio Garment Rental, Inc. By:___________________________________ Name: Title: Midway-CTS Buffalo, Inc. By:___________________________________ Name: Title: