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EXHIBIT 10.21
September 10, 2003
Jason Halpern
Counsel
Tel: 212.640.5805
Fax: 212.640.0361
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
200 Vesey Street, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10285-4901
RE: FINANCING AGREEMENT - ASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLES
Dear Sir/Madam:
MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. (the "Company") has recently entered into a new
financing facility (the "Loan and Security Agreement") with WELLS FARGO
FOOTHILL, INC. ("Foothill" or the "Lender") and has issued and may, from time to
time, issue additional notes under an indenture (the "Indenture" and, together
with the Loan and Security Agreement, the "Debt Documents") with The Bank of New
York, as collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent") and trustee
(in such capacity, the "Trustee") for the holders of notes thereunder (the
"Noteholders" and, together with the Lender, the Collateral Agent and the
Trustee, the "Secured Parties"). In accordance with the terms of the Debt
Documents, the Company granted to the Secured Parties a security interest in
Company's inventory, accounts and substantially all of Company's tangible and
intangible personal property, including, without limitation, all rights of the
Company to receive payments in respect of proceeds of American Express card
sales in the Company's stores pursuant to that certain American Express(R) Card
Acceptance Agreement between American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc. ("American Express") and the Company ("Agreement").
Pursuant to the Debt Documents, the Company is obligated to arrange for the
proceeds of American Express card sales in the Company's stores to be routed by
American Express to the cash concentration account under the control of
Foothill, as agent (in such capacity, "Agent") for the benefit of itself and the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Trustee and the Noteholders.
Accordingly, by this letter the Company instructs American Express to
immediately continue routing all proceeds of American Express card sales in the
Company's stores (under the Agreement) to the Company account ("Account") set
forth below.
Account No: 5590039615
ABA Routing No.: 071000505
Bank Name: LaSalle Bank National Association
Contact: Hollis Griffin
(312) 904-6301
All payments under the Agreement should continue to be made to the Account and
to no other account unless and until you receive written notification from an
officer of Agent. Such notification will only be valid if made in writing and
sent, via first-class mail or overnight delivery, to American Express at the
following address:
Jason Halpern
Counsel
American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc.
200 Vesey Street, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10285-4901
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The Company acknowledges that American Express retains all of its rights under
the Agreement, including, but not limited to, American Express' rights to full
recourse thereunder. Furthermore, the Company acknowledges and agrees that
American Express is not required to alter its regular course of business with
respect to acceptance of payment instructions from merchants and that American
Express will have no liability if it acts in accordance with payment
instructions received from an employee or agent of the Company acting with
apparent authority.
The Company will indemnify and hold harmless American Express from any and all
liabilities, claims, demands, actions or judgments, including but not limited to
attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from the acts or omissions of the
Company, its employees, officers or agents in connection with this letter
agreement.
The Company appreciates American Express' anticipated cooperation and assistance
in effectuating this request. Should you have any questions concerning this
matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience, or feel free
to contact the Company directly (c/o Thomas Baldwin)
The terms of this letter cannot be changed, modified, or terminated, except by
written agreement signed by Agent, Company and American Express; provided, that
(i) upon written notice by Agent to American Express of its assignment of all of
its rights and obligations hereunder to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral
Agent shall be deemed to be Agent from the date of American Express's receipt of
such notice, and (ii) this letter shall automatically terminate upon the
termination of the Agreement; provided, that the Agreement shall not be
terminated by the Company without the prior written consent of the Agent.
Very truly yours,
MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Thomas J. Baldwin
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Name: Thomas J. Baldwin
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Title: EVP & CFO
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Date: 8/23/03
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC. (AS AGENT)
By /s/ Sandy Martinez
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Name Sandy Martinez
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Title Vice President
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Date 8/25/03
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