LEASE AGREEMENT
BA LEASING & CAPITAL CORPORATION ("LESSOR") agrees to acquire and lease
to Middleby Marshall Inc., a Delaware corporation ("LESSEE"), on an exclusive
basis throughout the world, and Lessee agrees to lease from Lessor certain
intangible personal property (the "UNITS" and individually a "UNIT")
described in the Appendix (the "APPENDIX") attached and made a part hereof,
on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Appendix hereto. The
Appendix shall be a part of this Lease Agreement. This Lease Agreement and
the Appendix are referred to herein and therein collectively as "THIS LEASE."
SECTION 1. PROCUREMENT, DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE.
SECTION 1.1. Lessee currently has title to the Units described in the
Appendix, and Lessee shall, on the date of the Appendix, sell to Lessor all
of Lessee's right, title and interest in and to the Units described in the
Appendix by executing and delivering to Lessor the Assignment Agreement in
the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the "ASSIGNMENT").
SECTION 1.2. The obligation of Lessor to pay for each Unit is subject
to satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Paragraph B.2 of the
Appendix. If any of those conditions is not met with respect to any Unit,
Lessor shall assign to Lessee all of Lessor's right, title and interest in
and to the Unit.
SECTION 2. TERM, RENT AND PAYMENT.
SECTION 2.1. The term of this Lease for each Unit (its "LEASE TERM")
shall begin on the date of the Appendix describing the Unit and continue as
specified in the Appendix.
SECTION 2.2. Lessee shall pay Lessor rent for each Unit in the amounts
and at the times specified in the Appendix.
SECTION 2.3. Rent and all other sums due Lessor hereunder shall be
paid at the office of Lessor set forth below, unless otherwise specified by
Lessor.
SECTION 2.4. This Lease is a net lease and Lessee shall not be
entitled to any abatement or reduction of rent or any setoff against rent,
whether arising by reason of any past, present or future claim of any nature
by Lessee against Lessor or otherwise. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, this Lease shall not terminate, nor shall the obligations of
Lessor or Lessee be otherwise affected by any circumstance, including,
without limitation, (a) any infringement with respect to, loss in value or
usefulness or termination of any Unit, however caused, (b) the attachment of
any lien, encumbrance, security interest or other right or claim of any third
party with respect to any Unit, including without limitation any claim
regarding infringement with respect to the rights granted pursuant to any
such Unit, (c) any prohibition or restriction of or interference with
Lessee's use of any Unit by any person or entity, (d) the insolvency of or
the commencement by or against Lessee or Lessor of any bankruptcy,
reorganization or similar proceeding, or (e) any other cause, whether similar
or dissimilar to the foregoing, any present or future law to the contrary
notwithstanding. It is the intention of the Parties that all rent and other
amounts payable by Lessee hereunder shall be payable in all events in the
manner and at the times herein provided unless Lessee's obligations in
respect thereof have been terminated pursuant to express provisions hereof.
SECTION 2.5. Payments shall be applied in the following order: (a)
Lessor's reasonable expenses, including without limitation those set forth in
Sections 9.5 and 23; (b) interest on late payments; and (c) rent and all
other sums due hereunder. Payments shall be conclusively
evidenced by entries in records maintained by Lessor, provided that no
presumption shall be drawn from Lessor's failure to accurately enter any such
payment.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS.
SECTION 3.1. Lessee hereby represents and warrants to and with Lessor
that:
(a) Lessee is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate powers and authority to
own its properties and carry on its operations as now being conducted.
(b) Lessee has full power, authority and legal right to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Lease and the Assignment. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Lease and the Assignment have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Lessee and do
not require any stockholder approval or the approval or consent of any
trustee or holder of any indebtedness or obligation of Lessee, except for
such approvals and consents as have heretofore been obtained.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Lease and the
Assignment do not contravene any law, governmental rule, regulation, order
or ordinance of any governmental entity having jurisdiction over and
binding on Lessee or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Lessee
and do not and will not result in any breach of or constitute a default
under any indenture, mortgage, contract, agreement or instrument to which
Lessee is a party or by which it or its property is bound.
(d) There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the best
knowledge of Lessee, threatened against Lessee before any court or
administrative agency which would
materially adversely affect the condition, business or operation of
Lessee or the ability of Lessee to perform its obligations under this
Lease and the Assignment.
(e) This Lease constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Lessee enforceable against it in accordance with the terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable laws relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or creditors' rights or by the application of principles of
equity.
SECTION 4. WARRANTIES.
Lessee acknowledges and agrees that (a) each unit is of a type selected
and designed by Lessee, (b) Lessee is satisfied that each Unit is suitable
for its purposes, (c) Lessor is not a manufacturer of any property
contemplated by the units and (d) Lessor has not made, and does not hereby
make, any representation, warranty or covenant with respect to the title,
Merchantability, Condition, quality, description, durability, fitness for
purpose or suitability of any unit in any respect or in connection with or
for the purposes and uses of Lessee. Lessor hereby assigns to Lessee, to the
extent assignable, any warranties, covenants and representations of
Patentsmith II, Inc., a Texas corporation (including any assignee or
successor thereof, "Patentsmith II"), and Lincoln Foodservice Products, Inc.,
an Indiana corporation (including any assignee or successor thereof,
"Lincoln"), with respect to any Unit, but any action taken by Lessee by
reason thereof shall be at Lessee's expense and shall be consistent with
Lessee's obligations under Section 2.
SECTION 5. USE.
SECTION 5.1. Lessee shall not (a) use any Unit improperly, carelessly
or in violation of any applicable law or regulation of any government
authority or in violation of any agreement
relating to such Unit, in each case to the extent such use could reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the rights of Lessor or the
value or usefulness of any Unit or Lessee's ability to perform its
obligations hereunder, (b) sublease any Unit or permit its use by anyone
other than Lessee without the prior written consent of Lessor, (c) sell,
assign or transfer, or directly or indirectly create, incur or suffer to
exist any lien, encumbrance, right or claim of any kind on any of its rights
hereunder or in any Unit or (d) amend, modify or waive, or permit the
amendment, modification or waiver of any term or provision of any agreement
relating to any Unit.
SECTION 5.2. Lessee shall at its expense use and defend each Unit
during its Lease Term in all material respects in accordance with the express
terms of each and every agreement relating to such Unit.
SECTION 5.3. Lessee shall fully comply in all material respects with
all of the provisions of each agreement relating to the continuing right to
use or enjoy the benefit of the Units.
SECTION 5.4. Lessee shall not amend, modify or alter any Unit, or
permit any Unit to be amended, modified or altered, in any respect, without
the prior written consent of Lessor. Prior to the occurrence of an Event of
Default or the termination of this Lease without Lessee exercising its option
to purchase the Units hereunder, Lessor shall not amend, modify or alter any
Unit, or permit any Unit to be amended, modified or altered, in any respect,
without the prior written consent of Lessee.
SECTION 5.5. Upon reasonable prior notice to Lessee, Lessor and its
designees shall have the right at all reasonable times to observe the use of
any Unit by Lessee and inspect Lessee's books and records related thereto.
SECTION 6. GENERAL TAX INDEMNITY.
SECTION 6.1. Lessee shall pay or reimburse Lessor for, and indemnify
and hold Lessor harmless from, all fees (including, but not limited to,
license, documentation, recording or registration fees) and all sales, use,
gross receipts, property, occupational, value-added or other taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, assessments, charges or withholdings of any nature
whatsoever, together with any penalties, fines or additions to tax, or
interest thereon, in each case after taking into account the net tax benefit
to Lessor in the tax reporting period of Lessor with respect to which such
payment or reimbursement is made resulting from any facts or circumstances
described in this Section 6.1 (each of the foregoing being hereafter referred
to as an "Imposition"), arising at any time before or during the term of this
Lease, or upon any termination of this Lease or return of the Units to
Lessor, and levied or imposed on Lessor, directly or otherwise, by any
federal, state or local government or taxing authority in the United States
or by any foreign country or foreign or international taxing authority on or
with respect to (a) any Unit, (b) the exportation, importation, registration,
purchase, ownership, delivery, leasing, possession, use, operation, return,
sale, transfer of title or other disposition thereof, (c) the rents, receipts
or earnings arising from any Unit or (d) this Lease or any payment made
hereunder, excluding, however, taxes measured by Lessor's net income imposed
or levied by the United States or any state or local authority thereof unless
such taxes are in lieu of or in substitution for any Impositions Lessee would
otherwise have been obligated to pay, reimburse or indemnify hereunder.
SECTION 6.2. Lessor shall pay directly each Imposition for which
Lessor is primarily responsible and as to which Lessor gives Lessee notice
Lessor will pay directly; and Lessee shall
promptly reimburse Lessor for any such Imposition so paid (except any
Imposition excluded by Section 5.1) upon presentation of a bill therefor,
together with a calculation and proof thereof in reasonable detail.
SECTION 6.3. Lessee shall pay on or before the time or times
prescribed by law any Imposition for which Lessee is primarily responsible
under applicable law and any other Imposition (except any Imposition excluded
by Section 6.1) not payable by Lessor pursuant to Section 6.2, but Lessee
shall have no obligation to pay an Imposition that Lessee is contesting in
good faith and by appropriate legal proceedings and the nonpayment thereof
does not, in the reasonable opinion of Lessor, adversely affect the title,
property, use, disposition, security or other rights of Lessor with respect
to the Units. Lessee shall furnish on Lessor's request proof of payment of
any Imposition paid by Lessee.
SECTION 6.4. If Lessor is not entitled to a corresponding and equal
deduction with respect to any Imposition Lessee is required to pay or
reimburse under Section 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 and the payment or reimbursement
constitutes income to Lessor, then Lessee shall also pay to Lessor the amount
of any Imposition Lessor is obligated to pay in respect of (a) such payment
or reimbursement by Lessee and (b) any payment by Lessee made pursuant to
this Section 6.4.
SECTION 6.5. Lessor shall prepare and file all required property tax
reports or returns, if any, as "Owner" of the Units, but Lessee must timely
provide Lessor with all information that Lessor requires to prepare properly
any such report or return. Lessee shall report the Units as "Property Leased
from Others" on any property tax reports or returns required to be filed by
Lessee. Lessee shall furnish on Lessor's request copies of reports or returns
so filed.
SECTION 7. INDEMNITY.
SECTION 7.1. Lessee waives and releases any claim now or hereafter
existing against Lessor, any company controlled by, controlling, or under
common control with Lessor and all of their directors, officers, employees,
agents, attorneys, successors and assigns (each, an "Indemnified Person") on
account of, and shall indemnify, reimburse and hold each Indemnified Person
harmless from, any and all claims (including, but not limited to, claims
based on or relating to copyright, trademark or patent infringement,
negligence, strict liability in tort, statutory liability or violation of
laws), losses, damages, obligations, penalties, liabilities, demands, suits,
judgments or causes of action (collectively, "Claims"), and all legal
proceedings, and any reasonable costs or expenses in connection therewith,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, including reasonable allocated time
charges of internal counsel, in each case imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against the Indemnified Person in any way relating to or arising in any
manner out of (a) the registration, purchase, taking or foreclosure of a
security interest in, or the ownership, delivery, condition, lease,
assignment, possession, use, operation, return, repossession, sale or other
disposition of, any Unit, before or during the term of this Lease as to such
Unit, (b) any alleged or actual defect in any Unit (whether arising from the
use thereof or otherwise) regardless of when such defect is discovered or
alleged, whether or not the Unit is in Lessee's possession and no matter
where it is located or (c) this Lease or any other related document, the
enforcement hereof or thereof or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, other than any Claim resulting solely from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessor (other than any gross
negligence or willful misconduct of another party imputed to Lessor) or a
violation of
Lessor's agreements under Section 5.4, Section 10, Section 11 or Section 24
hereof or Paragraph H or I of the Appendix.
SECTION 8. ROYALTIES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.
Lessee, at its cost and expense, and without regard to any rent or other
amounts payable by Lessee to Lessor hereunder shall perform and satisfy each
obligation or condition required to be performed by the licensee under each
Unit during the Term of the Lease. Without limiting the foregoing, Lessee
agrees, at its own cost and expense to do the following during the Term of
the Lease: (a) pay to Patentsmith II and Lincoln, as applicable, all
royalties on Licensed Devices (within the meaning of the agreements relating
to the Units) as and when payable thereunder, including the payment of any
minimum royalties necessary to preserve the Units or to prevent any
agreements relating thereto from being terminated, (b) keep true and accurate
books of account setting forth all information in such detail as is necessary
to calculate the royalties payable under and with respect to the Units, (c)
pay all costs and expenses required to be paid by any licensee of the Units
in connection with any examination of the books and records of such licensee
or any sub-licensee thereof, (d) to furnish written reports to Patentsmith II
and Lincoln, as and when required under the agreements relating to the Units,
setting forth the quantity and number of Licensed Devices made and sold,
leased, put into use or otherwise disposed of during each three month period
provided for in the agreements relating to the Units, along with the List
Price (as defined in the agreements relating to the Units), model number,
serial number and dollar value of all Licensed Devices sold, leased, put into
use or otherwise disposed of by any licensee, sub-licensee or affiliate
thereof, in each case as required of any licensee of any Unit, (e) submit to
Lessor copies of the written reports described in the foregoing clause (d)
not later than the dates
required under the agreements relating to the Units, together with a
statement of the royalties paid to Patentsmith II and Lincoln for the
respective quarterly period and a calculation in reasonable detail setting
forth the manner in which such royalties were determined, (f) stamp, print or
otherwise mark upon each Licensed Device such notice as is required under the
agreements relating to the Units with respect to the identification of all
applicable patents, and (g) take such other action and perform such other
obligations as may be required to be taken or performed by any licensee or
sub-licensee of the Units under any agreement relating thereto.
SECTION 9. DEFAULTS; REMEDIES.
SECTION 9.1. The following shall constitute events of default ("EVENTS
OF DEFAULT") hereunder:
(a) Lessee fails to make any payments to Lessor within ten (10) days
after the same become due hereunder;
(b) any representation or warranty of Lessee contained herein or in
any document furnished to Lessor in connection herewith is incorrect or
misleading in any material respect when made;
(c) Lessee fails to observe or perform any agreement, covenant or
undertaking required to be performed by the licensee under any agreement
relating to any Unit if such failure causes or permits, or with notice or
the passage of time or both would cause or permit, the termination of such
Unit by the licensor thereunder or any other material impairment of
licensee's rights thereunder, provided that if Lessee cures such failure
within the time permitted under the terms of the agreement relating to such
Unit to avoid
such termination or impairment (but in no event to exceed 90
days), then no Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder;
(d) Lessee fails to observe or perform any other covenant, agreement
or warranty made by Lessee hereunder or under any document delivered
pursuant hereto and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after
written notice thereof to Lessee;
(e) (i) Lessee or Middleby shall commence any case, proceeding or
other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction,
domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect
to it, or seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation,
dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts,
or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator
or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its
assets, or Lessee or Middleby shall make a general assignment for the
benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against Lessee
or Middleby any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in
clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or
any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed,
undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days; or (iii) there
shall be commenced against Lessee or Middleby any case, proceeding or other
action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, restraint or
similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets which
results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have
been vacated or discharged, within sixty (60) days from the entry thereof;
or (iv) Lessee or Middleby shall take any action in furtherance of, or
indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts
set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above; or (v) Lessee or Middleby
shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its
inability to, pay its debts as they become due;
(f) Lessee liquidates, dissolves or enters into any partnership,
joint venture (other than in its ordinary course of business),
consolidation, merger or other combination, and Lessee does not survive the
same (provided such consolidation, merger or other combination does not
violate any covenant of Lessee hereunder or otherwise create or default
under this Lease or any related documents), or sells, leases or disposes of
a substantial portion of its business or assets;
(g) (i) Lessee shall fail to make any payment in respect of any
indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $500,000, or (ii) any event or
condition shall occur which results in the default after the expiration of
any applicable grace period, or requires the early redemption or
prepayment, of any of such indebtedness for borrowed money or any event or
condition shall occur and be continuing which enables (or, with the giving
of notice or lapse of time or both, would enable) the holders of any of
such indebtedness for borrowed money acting on such holder's behalf to
accelerate the maturity, or require the early redemption or prepayment, of
any of such indebtedness for borrowed money;
(h) (i) one or more judgments or orders for the payment (which
judgments or orders are uninsured by third party insurers) in the
aggregate, of money in excess of $500,000 shall be rendered against Lessee
and such judgments or orders shall continue unsatisfied and unstayed for a
period of thirty (30) days or (ii) one or more judgments or orders shall be
rendered against Lessee, which judgments or orders shall be stayed on
condition that a bond or collateral equal to or greater than, in the
aggregate, $500,000 be posted or provided, and such judgments or orders
shall not be overturned or lifted within a period of thirty (30) days; or
(i) Middleby fails to observe or perform any covenant, agreement or
warranty made by Middleby under the Support Agreement.
SECTION 9.2. If any Event of Default occurs, Lessor, at its option, may:
(a) proceed by appropriate court action or actions either at law or
in equity, to enforce performance by Lessee of the applicable covenants of
this Lease or to recover damages for the breach thereof; or
(b) by notice in writing to Lessee terminate this Lease, whereupon
all rights of Lessee to use the Units shall terminate, but Lessee shall
remain liable as hereinafter provided; and thereupon Lessor may enter upon
the premises of Lessee or other premises where any of the Units may be and
take possession of all or any of such Units and thenceforth hold the same
free from any right of Lessee, its successors or assigns, but Lessor shall,
nevertheless, have a right to recover from Lessee any and all amounts that
under the terms of this Lease may be then due or that may have accrued to
the date of such termination (computing the rent for any number of days
less than a full rent period by multiplying the rent for such full rental
period by a fraction of which the numerator is such number of days and the
denominator is the total number of days in such full rent period) and also
to recover forthwith from Lessee: (i) as damages for loss of the bargain
and not as a penalty, a sum, with respect to each Unit, that equals (x) the
present value, at the time of such termination, of the entire unpaid
balance of all rent for the Unit that would
otherwise have accrued hereunder from the date of such termination to
the end of its Lease Term minus (y) the then present value of the rent
Lessor reasonably estimates to be obtainable for the Unit during such
period, such present value to be computed in each case by discounting at
a rate equal to the then judgment rate of interest fixed under
California law, compounded at the same frequency as rent is payable
hereunder, from the respective dates upon which rent would have been
payable hereunder had the Lease not been terminated and (ii) any damages
and expenses in addition thereto that Lessor sustains because of the
breach of any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this
Lease other than for the payment of rent.Lessee hereby waives any rights
now or hereafter conferred by statute or otherwise that may require
Lessor to sell, lease or otherwise use any Unit in mitigation of
Lessor's damages upon any default by Lessee, except as may be set forth
in this Section 9.2, or that may otherwise limit or modify any of
Lessor's rights or remedies under Section 9.2.
SECTION 9.3. Lessee agrees to pay all allocated time charges, costs
and expenses of internal counsel for Lessor and any other attorneys' fees,
expenses or out-of-pocket costs incurred by Lessor in enforcing this Lease.
SECTION 9.4. The remedies herein provided in favor of Lessor shall not
be deemed exclusive, but shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to all
other remedies in its favor existing at law or in equity.
SECTION 9.5. If Lessee fails to perform any of its agreements
contained herein, Lessor may perform such agreement, and Lessee shall pay the
expenses incurred by Lessor in connection with such performance upon demand.
SECTION 10. USE OF TRADEMARK, TRADE NAME; OTHER ACTION.
SECTION 10.1. As provided in the Assignment, Lessee has licensed to
Lessor (and Lessor's assigns) the nonexclusive right to the use of the
trademarks and trade names described therein (collectively, the
"TRADEMARKS"), together with the goodwill associated therewith, such license
to become effective upon (i) the expiration of the Lease Term of each Unit
(provided Lessee has not exercised its option to purchase the Units as
provided herein) or (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Additionally, upon the expiration of the Lease Term of each Unit (provided
Lessee has not exercised its option to purchase the Units as provided herein)
or the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lessee shall, at the direction of
Lessor, take such action, including without limitation the execution of
documents, as Lessor reasonably deems necessary to protect the interests of
Lessor in the Units, including without limitation, any recordation or filing
with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which Lessor deems necessary or
desirable.
SECTION 10.2. Lessor acknowledges the ownership of the Trademarks by
Lessee. Lessor acknowledges and agrees that it has no right, title or
interest in or to the Trademarks nor any part thereof, except the
nonexclusive use of the Trademarks as set forth herein, and that nothing in
this Lease, the Assignment or otherwise shall be construed as an assignment
or grant to Lessor of any other right, title or interest in or to the
Trademarks. Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, during the Term
of this Lease, should any right, title or interest in or to the Trademarks or
any part thereof become vested in Lessor, Lessor shall hold such rights,
title or interest in trust for Lessee and shall, at the request of Lessee,
forfeit unconditionally any right, title or interest to Lessee, subject to
the license granted to Lessor hereunder and under the Assignment. Lessor
agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent with Lessee's ownership of the
Trademarks and that all
use of the Trademarks by Lessor and all goodwill developed therefrom shall
inure to the benefit of and be on behalf of Lessee. Lessor agrees not to
challenge, directly or indirectly, Lessee's right, title or interest in or to
the Trademarks.
SECTION 10.3. Lessor agrees that the nature and quality of all services
rendered and goods sold by Lessor in connection with the Trademarks shall be
in accordance with and shall conform to standards set by and which are under
the control of Lessee.
SECTION 10.4. Lessor agrees to cooperate with Lessee in facilitating
Lessee's control of the nature and quality of the services and goods sold by
Lessor in connection with the Trademarks, to permit reasonable inspection of
Lessor's operation, and to permit Lessee to inspect specimens of use of the
Trademarks upon Lessee's written request.
SECTION 10.5. Lessor agrees to notify Lessee of any unauthorized use of
the Trademarks by others promptly as such use comes to Lessor's attention.
Lessee shall have the sole right and discretion to bring infringement or
unfair competition proceedings involving the Trademarks and shall retain all
proceeds from such infringement or unfair competition proceedings.
SECTION 10.6. Lessor shall, at its expense, defend, indemnify and hold
Lessee harmless from and against any and all liabilities, claims, causes of
actions, suits and damages, including without limitation, suits for personal
injury or death or third parties, and expenses (including without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees) for which Lessee becomes liable, or in any way
incurs or is compelled to pay, by reason of Lessor's activities or breach of
the terms of this Lease.
SECTION 10.7. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon an
assignment or transfer by Lessor of Lessor's title to the Units and the
license to the use of the Trademarks as
provided herein, Lessor shall be released from any and all obligations and
liabilities under this Section 10 arising from and after the date of such
assignment or transfer, PROVIDED that the party to which such transfer or
assignment is made shall expressly assume Lessor's obligations under this
Section 10.
SECTION 11. ASSIGNMENT.
Lessor may at any time assign or transfer all or any of the right, title
or interest of Lessor in and to this Lease, and the rights, benefits and
advantages of Lessor hereunder, including the rights to receive payment of
rent or any other payment hereunder, Lessor's title to the Units and any and
all obligations of Lessor in connection herewith, and the license to the use
of the trademarks as provided in Section 10.1; PROVIDED that, unless an Event
of Default shall have occurred or this Lease has expired or terminated
(provided Lessee has not exercised its option to purchase the Units as
provided herein), no such assignment or transfer shall be to any person or
entity which, directly or indirectly, competes with Lessee or its affiliates;
and further PROVIDED that, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default or,
if earlier, the third anniversary of the Base Date without the exercise by
Lessee of its purchase option under Paragraph H of the Appendix, Lessor shall
not make any such assignment or transfer without the prior written consent of
Lessee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). Lessor may
disclose to any potential or actual assignee or transferee any information in
the possession of Lessor or any of its affiliates relating to Lessee or this
Lease. Any such assignment or transfer shall be subject and subordinate to
this Lease and the rights and interests of Lessee hereunder. NO ASSIGNMENT
OF THIS LEASE OR ANY RIGHT OR OBLIGATION HEREUNDER MAY BE MADE BY LESSEE OR
ANY ASSIGNEE OF LESSEE WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF LESSOR. Lessor
shall, and shall cause its
representatives to, keep confidential and not use for any other purpose all
materials and information relating to Lessee, its assets or business or this
Lease submitted to Lessor in connection with this Lease (collectively,
"Evaluation Materials") and shall not disclose any Evaluation Materials to
any person or entity other than (a) Lessor's representatives who require them
in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Lease or the
transactions contemplated hereby or (b) any such actual or proposed assignee
or transferee for purposes of an actual or proposed transfer or assignment,
provided that Lessor shall obtain an agreement of such assignee or
transferee, for Lessee's benefit, to be bound by this confidentiality and
non-disclosure provision. The foregoing confidentiality obligations shall
survive termination of this Lease for a period of three years, provided that
such obligation shall not apply to any Evaluation Materials to the extent
they (i) become generally available to the public other than as a result of a
disclosure by Lessor or its representatives or such transferees or assignees,
(ii) were available to Lessor or its representatives on a non-confidential
basis prior to their disclosure to Lessor or its representatives by Lessee or
its representatives, (iii) become available to Lessor or its representatives
on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Lessee or its
representatives when such source is entitled to make such disclosure, or (iv)
are required to be disclosed under applicable law or as required by
regulatory authorities.
SECTION 12. FURTHER ASSURANCES.
Lessee confirms there is no pending litigation, tax claim, proceeding or
dispute that may materially adversely affect any Unit or its financial
condition or materially impair its ability to perform its obligations
hereunder. Lessee will, at its expense, maintain its legal existence in good
standing and do any further act and execute, acknowledge, deliver, file,
register and record
any further documents Lessor may reasonably request in order to protect
Lessor's title to the Units and Lessor's rights and benefits under this Lease.
SECTION 13. LATE PAYMENTS.
Lessee shall pay to Lessor, on demand, interest at the rate set forth in
the Appendix on the amount of any payment not made when due hereunder from
the date due until payment is made.
SECTION 14. EFFECT OF WAIVER.
No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to
Lessor upon any breach or default of Lessee hereunder shall impair any such
right, power or remedy nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such
breach or default, or an acquiescence therein or of any similar breach or
default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or
default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or
thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or
character on the part of Lessor of any breach or default under this Lease
must be in writing specifically set forth.
SECTION 15. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS.
All obligations of Lessee and Lessor under Sections 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11 and 12 hereof and under the Appendix shall survive the expiration
or termination of this Lease to the extent required for their full observance
and performance.
SECTION 16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Lessee shall, and shall cause any guarantor to, keep its books and
records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
practices consistently applied and shall, and shall cause any guarantor to,
deliver to Lessor such financial statements and information as may be set
forth in the relevant Appendix or as Lessor may reasonably request. Credit
information
relating to Lessee, any guarantor or any general partner of Lessee may be
disseminated among Lessor and any of its affiliates and any of their
respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 17. NOTICES.
All demands, notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered
or when deposited in the mail, certified mail, postage prepaid, or delivered
to an express carrier, charges prepaid, or sent by facsimile transmission
(with electronic confirmation of receipt) addressed to each party at the
address set forth below the signature of such party on the signature page, or
at such other address as may hereafter be furnished in writing by such party
to the other.
SECTION 18. APPLICABLE LAW; SEVERABILITY.
This Lease shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
Illinois. If any provision hereof is held invalid, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 19. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.
Each party hereto hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of the State of Illinois for purposes of all legal proceedings arising
out of or relating to this Lease or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Each party hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue
of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such
proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION 20. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
The parties hereto voluntarily and intentionally waive any rights they
may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation based hereon, or
arising out of, under, or in connection with, this
Lease, or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether
verbal or written) or actions of any of the parties hereto. The parties
hereto hereby agree that they will not seek to consolidate any such
litigation with any other litigation in which a jury trial has not or cannot
be waived. The provisions of this Section 20 have been fully negotiated by
the parties hereto and shall be subject to no exceptions. Lessee
acknowledges and agrees that it has received full and sufficient
consideration for this provision and that this provision is a material
inducement for Lessor entering into this Lease.
SECTION 21. SETOFF.
Lessor shall, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, have the
right to appropriate and apply to the payment of Lessee's obligations under
this Lease as security for the payment of such obligations, any and all
balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of Lessee then or thereafter
maintained with Lessor. The rights of Lessor under this Section 21 are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff under
applicable law or otherwise) which Lessor may have.
SECTION 22. COUNTERPARTS.
Two counterparts of this Lease have been executed by the parties hereto.
One counterpart has been prominently marked "Lessor's Copy." One counterpart
has been prominently marked "Lessee's Copy." Only the counterpart marked
"Lessor's Copy" shall evidence a monetary obligation of Lessee.
SECTION 23. TRANSACTION COSTS.
Lessee agrees to (a) reimburse any reasonable legal expenses of Lessor
(including reasonably allocated time charges of internal counsel for Lessor
and other attorneys fees) and any
reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred (whether prior to or after the date
hereof) in connection with the preparation and negotiation of lease documents
and any documents required in connection therewith, (b) pay all appraisal
fees of the appraiser heretofore approved by Lessor and Lessee incurred in
connection with the Units, and (c) pay (or reimburse) all search, recording
and filing fees reasonably incurred in connection with this Lease and the
Units.
SECTION 24. NON-INTERFERENCE.
So long as no Event of Default or event that, upon giving of notice or
lapse of time, could become an Event of Default exists, Lessor will not
interfere with the rights of enjoyment and exclusive use of the Units by
Lessee.
SECTION 25. EFFECT AND MODIFICATION OF LEASE.
This Lease exclusively and completely states the rights of Lessor and
Lessee with respect to the leasing of the Units and supersedes all prior
agreements, oral or written, with respect thereto. No variation or
modification of this Lease shall be valid unless in writing.
The parties hereto have executed this Lease as of 30th day of
December, 1997.
BA LEASING & CAPITAL CORPORATION MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.
By /s/ John A. Armstrong By /s/ David B. Baker
----------------------------- -------------------------------
Its Vice President Its Assistant Treasurer
Address: Address:
555 California Street 2850 West Golf Road
Fourth Floor Suite 405
San Francisco, CA 94104 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Attn: Contract Administration Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Telecopier No. 415/765-7373 Telecopier No. 847/758-0595
Telephone No. 415/765-7427 Telephone No. 847/758-3884