STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT

EX-10.1 3 g07848exv10w1.htm EX-10.1 FORM OF STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT EX-10.1 FORM OF STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
 

Exhibit 10.1
STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
     This Stockholder Voting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 10, 2007, by and among BBAC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), BACK YARD BURGERS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned stockholder (“Stockholder”) of the Company.
RECITALS
     A. Concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, Parent, BBAC Merger Sub, inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and the Company are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date herewith (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), which provides for the merger (the “Merger”) of Merger Sub with and into the Company in accordance with its terms.
     B. Stockholder is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of such number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Company as is indicated on the signature page of this Agreement.
     C. In consideration of the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by Parent and Sub, Stockholder desires to agree to vote the Shares (as defined herein) over which Stockholder has voting power so as to facilitate the consummation of the Merger.
     NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
     1. Certain Definitions.
          (a) Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. For all purposes of and under this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
     “Constructive Sale” means with respect to any security, a short sale with respect to such security, entering into or acquiring an offsetting derivative contract with respect to such security, entering into or acquiring a futures or forward contract to deliver such security or entering into any other hedging or other derivative transaction that has the effect of either directly or indirectly materially changing the economic benefits and risks of ownership.
     “Shares” means (i) all shares of capital stock of the Company owned, beneficially or of record, by Stockholder as of the date hereof, and (ii) all additional shares of capital stock of the Company acquired by Stockholder, beneficially or of record, during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and expiring on the Expiration Date (as such term is defined in Section 11 below).
     “Transfer” means, with respect to any security, the direct or indirect assignment, sale, transfer, tender, exchange, pledge, hypothecation, or the grant, creation or suffrage of a lien, security interest or encumbrance in or upon, or the gift, placement in trust, or the Constructive Sale or other disposition of such security (including transfers by testamentary or intestate succession or otherwise by operation of law) or any right, title or interest therein (including, but not limited to, any right or power to vote to which the holder thereof may be entitled, whether such right or power is granted by proxy or otherwise), or the record or beneficial ownership thereof, the offer to make such a sale,


 

transfer, Constructive Sale or other disposition, and each agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, to effect any of the foregoing.
     2. Transfer and Voting Restrictions.
          (a) At all times during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and expiring on the Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not, except in connection with the Merger or as the result of the death of Stockholder, Transfer any of the Shares, or discuss, negotiate, make an offer or enter into an agreement, commitment or other arrangement with respect thereto.
          (b) Stockholder understands and agrees that if Stockholder attempts to Transfer, vote or provide any other person with the authority to vote any of the Shares other than in compliance with this Agreement, the Company shall not, and Stockholder hereby unconditionally and irrevocably instructs the Company to not, (i) permit any such Transfer on its books and records, (ii) issue a new certificate representing any of the Shares or (iii) record such vote unless and until Stockholder shall have complied with the terms of this Agreement.
          (c) From and after the date hereof, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, Stockholder will not commit any act that could restrict or affect his legal power, authority and right to vote all of the Shares then owned of record or beneficially by him or otherwise prevent or disable Stockholder from performing any of his obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for this Agreement and as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, from and after the date hereof, Stockholder will not enter into any voting agreement with any person or entity with respect to any of the Shares, grant any person or entity any proxy (revocable or irrevocable) or power of attorney with respect to any of the Shares, deposit any of the Shares in a voting trust or otherwise enter into any agreement or arrangement with any person or entity limiting or affecting Stockholder’s legal power, authority or right to vote the Shares in favor of the approval of the Proposed Transaction (as such term is defined in Section 3 below).
     3. Agreement to Vote Shares.
          (a) Prior to the Expiration Date, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at every meeting of the stockholders of the Company called, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of the Company, Stockholder (in Stockholder’s capacity as such) shall appear at the meeting or otherwise cause the Shares to be present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum and, to the extent not voted by the persons appointed as proxies pursuant to this Agreement, vote (i) in favor of approval of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby (collectively, the “Proposed Transaction”), (ii) against the approval or adoption of any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with, the Proposed Transaction, and (iii) against any of the following (to the extent unrelated to the Proposed Transaction): (A) any merger, consolidation or business combination involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Proposed Transaction; (B) any sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) any reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (D) any other action that is intended, or could reasonably be expected to result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement or of Stockholder under this Agreement or otherwise impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or adversely affect the consummation of the Proposed Transaction (each of (ii) and (iii), a “Competing Transaction”).
          (b) If Stockholder is the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of the Shares, Stockholder agrees to take all actions necessary to cause the record holder and any nominees to vote all of the Shares in accordance with Section 3; provided, however, that to the extent Stockholder’s beneficial ownership


 

does not include the right or power to vote shares beneficially owned, Stockholder will be obligated only to use reasonable best efforts to cause the record holder and any nominee to vote such shares in accordance with Section 3.
     4. Grant of Irrevocable Proxy.
          (a) Stockholder hereby irrevocably (to the fullest extent permitted by law) grants to, and appoints, Parent and each of its executive officers and any of them, in their capacities as officers of Parent (the “Grantees”), Stockholder’s proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution and re-substitution), for and in the name, place and stead of Stockholder, to vote the Shares, to instruct nominees or record holders to vote the Shares, or grant a consent or approval in respect of such Shares in accordance with Section 3 hereof and, in the discretion of the Grantees with respect to any proposed adjournments or postponements of any meeting of Stockholders at which any of the matters described in Section 3 hereof is to be considered.
          (b) Stockholder represents that any proxies heretofore given in respect of Stockholder’s Shares that may still be in effect are not irrevocable, and such proxies are hereby revoked.
          (c) Stockholder hereby affirms that the irrevocable proxy set forth in this Section 4 is given in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, and that such irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties of Stockholder under this Agreement. Stockholder hereby further affirms that the irrevocable proxy is coupled with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked except as provided in subparagraph (e) below. Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms all that such irrevocable proxy may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Such irrevocable proxy is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of Section 212 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
          (d) The Grantees may not exercise this irrevocable proxy on any other matter except as provided above. Stockholder may vote the Shares on all matters.
          (e) Parent may terminate this proxy with respect to Stockholder at any time at its sole election by written notice provided to Stockholder. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the proxy granted herein shall be automatically revoked upon termination of the Agreement in accordance with its terms.
     5. No Solicitation. Stockholder, in his capacity as a Stockholder, shall not directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, induce or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish any information regarding any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or an inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal or (v) enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction.
     6. Action in Stockholder Capacity Only. Stockholder makes no agreement or understanding herein as a director or officer of the Company. Stockholder signs solely in his capacity as a record holder and beneficial owner, as applicable, of Shares, and nothing herein shall limit or affect any actions taken in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company.


 

     7. Representations and Warranties of Stockholder.
          (a) Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows: (i) Stockholder is the beneficial or record owner of the shares of capital stock of the Company indicated on the signature page of this Agreement free and clear of any and all pledges, liens, security interests, mortgages, claims, charges, restrictions, options, title defects or encumbrances; (ii) Stockholder does not beneficially own any securities of the Company other than the shares of capital stock and rights to purchase shares of capital stock of the Company set forth on the signature page of this Agreement; (iii) Stockholder has full power and authority to make, enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement and to grant the irrevocable proxy as set forth in Section 4; and (iv) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Stockholder enforceable against him in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights of creditors, generally, and to general principles of equity. Stockholder agrees to notify Parent promptly of any additional shares of capital stock of the Company that Stockholder becomes the beneficial owner of after the date of this Agreement.
          (b) As of the date hereof and for so long as this Agreement remains in effect (including as of the date of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, which, for purposes of this Agreement, includes any adjournment or postponement thereof), except for this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, Stockholder has full legal power, authority and right to vote all of the Shares then owned of record or beneficially by him, in favor of the approval and authorization of the Proposed Transaction without the consent or approval of, or any other action on the part of, any other person or entity (including, without limitation, any governmental entity). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Stockholder has not entered into any voting agreement (other than this Agreement) with any person or entity with respect to any of the Shares, granted any person or entity any proxy (revocable or irrevocable) or power of attorney with respect to any of the Shares, deposited any of the Shares in a voting trust or entered into any arrangement or agreement with any person or entity limiting or affecting his legal power, authority or right to vote the Shares on any matter.
          (c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Stockholder of his agreements and obligations hereunder will not result in any breach or violation of or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any term of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree, law, regulation or arrangement to which Stockholder is a party or by which Stockholder (or any of his assets) is bound, except for any such breach, violation, conflict or default which, individually or in the aggregate, would not impair or adversely affect Stockholder’s ability to perform his obligations under this Agreement or render inaccurate any of the representations made by him herein.
          (d) Except as disclosed pursuant to the Merger Agreement, no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary is entitled to a fee or commission from Parent, Merger Sub or the Company in respect of this Agreement based upon any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of Stockholder.
          (e) Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Parent, Merger Sub and the Company are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Stockholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the representations and warranties of Stockholder contained herein.
     8. Exchange of Shares; Waiver of Rights of Appraisal. If the Merger is consummated, the Shares shall, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, be exchanged for the consideration provided in the Merger Agreement. Stockholder hereby waives, and agrees to prevent the exercise of, any rights of appraisal with respect to the Merger, or rights to dissent from the Merger, that such Stockholder may have by virtue of his beneficial ownership of the Shares.


 

     9. Regulatory Approvals. Each of the provisions of this Agreement is subject to compliance with applicable regulatory conditions and receipt of any required governmental authorization.
     10. Confidentiality. Stockholder recognizes that successful consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement may be dependent upon confidentiality with respect to the matters referred to herein. In this connection, pending public disclosure thereof, and so that the Company may rely on the safe harbor provisions of Rule 100(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation FD, Stockholder hereby agrees not to disclose or discuss such matters with anyone not a party to this Agreement (other than its counsel and advisors, if any) without the prior written consent of Parent and the Company, except for disclosures Stockholder’s counsel advises are necessary in order to fulfill any legal requirement, in which event Stockholder shall give notice of such disclosure to Parent and the Company as promptly as practicable so as to enable Parent and the Company to seek a protective order from a court of competent jurisdiction with respect thereto.
     11. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect whatsoever as of the earliest of (i) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall have been validly terminated pursuant to the terms of Article 10 thereof (ii) any material reduction in the amount, or any change in the form, of the consideration to be delivered to Stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement without the written consent of Stockholder, or (iii) the Effective Time, or (iv) execution by all parties hereto of a written document terminating this agreement (the “Expiration Date”).
     12. Miscellaneous Provisions.
          (a) Amendments, Modifications and Waivers. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement shall be effective against any party unless it shall be in writing and signed by Parent, Company and Stockholder.
          (b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties to this Agreement and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
          (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof.
          (d) Consent to Jurisdiction; Venue. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of the parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state courts of the State of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined exclusively in any Delaware state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware.
          (e) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
          (f) Attorneys’ Fees. In any action at law or suit in equity to enforce this Agreement or the rights of any of the parties hereunder, the prevailing party in such action or suit shall be entitled to receive


 

a reasonable sum for its attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in such action or suit.
          (g)  Assignment and Successors. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, including, without limitation, Stockholder’s estate and heirs upon the death of Stockholder, provided that except as otherwise specifically provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations of the parties hereto may be assigned by any of the parties hereto without prior written consent of the other parties hereto except that Parent, without obtaining the consent of any other party hereto, shall be entitled to assign this Agreement or all or any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any one or more Affiliates of Parent or any Person providing financing to Parent or Sub. No assignment by Parent under this Section 12(g) shall relieve Parent of its obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be void and of no effect.
          (h) No Third Party Rights. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto) any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
          (i) Cooperation. Stockholder agrees to cooperate fully with Parent and to execute and deliver such further documents, certificates, agreements and instruments and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by Parent to evidence or reflect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement. Stockholder hereby agrees that the Company may publish and disclose in the Company Proxy Statement (including all documents filed with the SEC), such Stockholder’s identity and ownership of Shares and the nature of such Stockholder’s commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement and may further file this Agreement in any filing made by Parent or the Company with the SEC relating to the Proposed Transaction.
          (j) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
          (k) Time of Essence. With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.
          (l) Specific Performance; Injunctive Relief. The parties hereto acknowledge that Parent and the Company shall be irreparably harmed and that there shall be no adequate remedy at law for a violation of any of the covenants or agreements of Stockholder set forth in this Agreement. Therefore, Stockholder hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available to Parent or the Company, as applicable upon any such violation, such party shall have the right to enforce such covenants and agreements by specific performance, injunctive relief or by any other means available to such party at law or in equity without posting any bond or other undertaking.
          (m) Notices. All notices, consents, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or overnight courier (providing proof of delivery), or (b) sent by facsimile or e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment confirmed with a copy delivered as provided in clause (a), in each case to the parties at the following address, facsimile or e-mail address (or at such other address, facsimile or e-mail address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): (i) if to Parent or the Company, to the address, e-mail address or facsimile provided in the Merger Agreement, including to the


 

persons designated therein to receive copies; and (ii) if to Stockholder, to Stockholder’s address, e-mail address or facsimile shown below Stockholder’s signature on the last page hereof.
          (n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument, and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties; it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
          (o) Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for the convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
          (p) Legal Representation. This Agreement was negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to any construction or interpretation thereof.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
     
PARENT:
  STOCKHOLDER:
 
   
BBAC, LLC
   
 
   
 
   
By:
  By:
Its:
  Its:
 
   
 
  Address:
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
COMPANY:
  Telephone:
 
  (___) ___-___
BACK YARD BURGERS, INC.
  Facsimile:
 
  (___) ___-___
 
  E-Mail Address:
By:
   
 
   
Its:
   
 
  Shares Beneficially Owned by Stockholder:
 
  ___shares of Company Common Stock
 
  ___shares of Company Preferred Stock
 
  ___Options to acquire Company Common Stock