INDENTURE Dated as of November 23, 2010 Among DUNKIN FINANCE CORP., the Guarantors party hereto from time to time, CITIBANK, N.A., as Indenture Administrator and WILMINGTONTRUST COMPANY, as Trustee 9.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

EX-4.3 3 dex43.htm INDENTURE AMONG DUNKIN' FINANCE CORP., THE GUARANTORS PARTY THERETO Indenture among Dunkin' Finance Corp., the Guarantors party thereto

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

INDENTURE

Dated as of November 23, 2010

Among

DUNKIN’ FINANCE CORP.,

the Guarantors party hereto from time to time,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Indenture Administrator

and

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

as Trustee

9.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section
310(a)(1)    7.10
(a)(2)    7.10
(a)(3)    N.A.
(a)(4)    N.A.
(a)(5)    7.10
(b)    7.10
(c)    N.A.
311(a)    7.11
(b)    7.11
(c)    N.A.
312(a)    2.05
(b)    12.03
(c)    12.03
313(a)    7.06
(b)(1)    N.A.
(b)(2)    7.06; 7.07
(c)    7.06; 12.02
(d)    7.06
314(a)    12.05
(b)    N.A.
(c)(1)    N.A.
(c)(2)    N.A.
(c)(3)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    12.05
(f)    N.A.
315(a)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    N.A.
316(a)(last sentence)    N.A.
(a)(1)(A)    N.A.
(a)(1)(B)    N.A.
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    N.A.
317(a)(1)    N.A.
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
318(a)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    12.01

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01.

   Definitions      1   

Section 1.02.

   Other Definitions      32   

Section 1.03.

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      33   

Section 1.04.

   Rules of Construction      33   

Section 1.05.

   Acts of Holders      34   
ARTICLE 2   
THE NOTES   

Section 2.01.

   Form and Dating; Terms      35   

Section 2.02.

   Execution and Authentication      36   

Section 2.03.

   Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent      37   

Section 2.04.

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      37   

Section 2.05.

   Holder Lists      37   

Section 2.06.

   Transfer and Exchange      37   

Section 2.07.

   Replacement Notes      50   

Section 2.08.

   Outstanding Notes      50   

Section 2.09.

   Treasury Notes      50   

Section 2.10.

   Temporary Notes      50   

Section 2.11.

   Cancellation      51   

Section 2.12.

   Defaulted Interest      51   

Section 2.13.

   CUSIP/ISIN Numbers      51   
ARTICLE 3   
REDEMPTION   

Section 3.01.

   Notices to Indenture Administrator and Trustee      51   

Section 3.02.

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      52   

Section 3.03.

   Notice of Redemption      52   

Section 3.04.

   Effect of Notice of Redemption      53   

Section 3.05.

   Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price      53   

Section 3.06.

   Notes Redeemed in Part      53   

Section 3.07.

   Optional Redemption      53   

Section 3.08.

   Special Mandatory Redemption      54   

Section 3.09.

   Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds      54   
ARTICLE 4   
COVENANTS   

Section 4.01.

   Payment of Notes      56   

Section 4.02.

   Maintenance of Office or Agency      56   

Section 4.03.

   Reports and Other Information      57   

Section 4.04.

   Compliance Certificate      58   

Section 4.05.

   Taxes      59   

Section 4.06.

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      59   

Section 4.07.

   Limitation on Restricted Payments      59   

Section 4.08.

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries      66   

 

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          Page  

Section 4.09.

   Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock      68   

Section 4.10.

   Asset Sales      73   

Section 4.11.

   Transactions with Affiliates      75   

Section 4.12.

   Liens      78   

Section 4.13.

   Company Existence      78   

Section 4.14.

   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control      78   

Section 4.15.

   Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries      79   

Section 4.16.

   Activities Prior to the Escrow Release Date.      80   

Section 4.17.

   Covenant Suspension      81   
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   

Section 5.01.

   Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets      82   

Section 5.02.

   Successor Person Substituted      84   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01.

   Events of Default      84   

Section 6.02.

   Acceleration      86   

Section 6.03.

   Other Remedies      86   

Section 6.04.

   Waiver of Past Defaults      86   

Section 6.05.

   Control by Majority      87   

Section 6.06.

   Limitation on Suits      87   

Section 6.07.

   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      87   

Section 6.08.

   Collection Suit by Trustee      87   

Section 6.09.

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies      87   

Section 6.10.

   Rights and Remedies Cumulative      87   

Section 6.11.

   Delay or Omission Not Waiver      88   

Section 6.12.

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      88   

Section 6.13.

   Priorities      88   

Section 6.14.

   Undertaking for Costs      88   
ARTICLE 7   
INDENTURE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01.

   Duties of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee      89   

Section 7.02.

   Rights of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee      90   

Section 7.03.

   Individual Rights of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee      92   

Section 7.04.

   Disclaimer of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee      92   

Section 7.05.

   Notice of Defaults      92   

Section 7.06.

   Reports by Trustee to Holders      92   

Section 7.07.

   Compensation and Indemnity      92   

Section 7.08.

   Replacement of Indenture Administrator or the Trustee      93   

Section 7.09.

   Successor Indenture Administrator or Trustee by Merger, etc.      94   

Section 7.10.

   Eligibility; Disqualification      94   

Section 7.11.

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer      95   
   ARTICLE 8   
   LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01.

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      95   

Section 8.02.

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge      95   

 

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          Page  

Section 8.03.

   Covenant Defeasance      95   

Section 8.04.

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      96   

Section 8.05.

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      97   

Section 8.06.

   Repayment to Issuer      97   

Section 8.07.

   Reinstatement      97   
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01.

   Without Consent of Holders      98   

Section 9.02.

   With Consent of Holders      99   

Section 9.03.

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      100   

Section 9.04.

   Revocation and Effect of Consents      100   

Section 9.05.

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes      100   

Section 9.06.

   Indenture Administrator and Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      100   
ARTICLE 10   
GUARANTEES   

Section 10.01.

   Guarantee      101   

Section 10.02.

   Limitation on Guarantor Liability      102   

Section 10.03.

   Execution and Delivery      102   

Section 10.04.

   Subrogation      102   

Section 10.05.

   Benefits Acknowledged      103   

Section 10.06.

   Release of Guarantees      103   
   ARTICLE 11   
   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01.

   Satisfaction and Discharge      103   

Section 11.02.

   Application of Trust Money      104   
ARTICLE 12   
MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01.

   Trust Indenture Act Controls      104   

Section 12.02.

   Notices      104   

Section 12.03.

   Communication by Holders with Other Holders      106   

Section 12.04.

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      106   

Section 12.05.

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      106   

Section 12.06.

   Rules by Trustee and Agents      106   

Section 12.07.

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders      106   

Section 12.08.

   Governing Law      107   

Section 12.09.

   Waiver of Jury Trial      107   

Section 12.10.

   Force Majeure      107   

Section 12.11.

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      107   

Section 12.12.

   Successors      107   

Section 12.13.

   Severability      107   

Section 12.14.

   Counterpart Originals      107   

Section 12.15.

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      107   

Section 12.16.

   Qualification of Indenture      107   

 

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EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A

   FORM OF NOTE

Exhibit B

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Exhibit C

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Exhibit D

   FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY THE SUCCESSOR ISSUER AND GUARANTORS ON THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE

Exhibit E

   FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

Exhibit F

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of November 23, 2010, among Dunkin Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors (as defined herein) and any other entities party hereto from time to time, Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Administrator and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer (as defined herein) has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $625,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Escrow Issuer’s 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors party hereto from time to time has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein);

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer, the Guarantors party hereto from time to time, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions.

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the ERISA Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ABS Notes” means the Series 2006-1 Variable Funding Notes, Class A-1, the 5.779% Fixed Rate Series 2006-1 Senior Notes, Class A-2, and the 8.285% Fixed Rate Series 2006-1 Subordinated Notes, Class M-1 issued by bankruptcy-remote indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of DBI.

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person,

(a) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, and

(b) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes” means any additional Notes issued under this Indenture (other than the Initial Notes, or any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes) issued from time to time in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 4.09 hereof.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.


Affiliated Organization” means (i) The Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, Inc., Dunkin Brands Disaster Relief Fund, Inc., Dunkin Donuts Charitable Trust and any charitable organization that is an Affiliate of the Issuer or any Subsidiary that meets the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code to the extent, and only for so long as, such organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Section 170 of the Code and (ii) Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. Political Action Committee and any non-profit political association qualifying as a separate, segregated fund, as that term is used in the Federal Election Campaign Act whose connected organization is the Issuer and that is independent of, and not affiliated with, any political party, candidate for elective office, or other political organization.

Agent” means any Registrar, Transfer Agent, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering the Notes and that such participants have received the Letter of Transmittal and agree to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Issuer may enforce such agreement against such participants.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale” means:

(a) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction) of the Issuer (other than Equity Interests of the Issuer) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(b) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof or directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

(i) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the sale of inventory or goods (or other assets other than real property interests) in bulk in connection with the closing of any number of retail locations in the ordinary course of business shall be considered a sale in the ordinary course of business);

(ii) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;

(iii) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof and the making of any Permitted Investments;

(iv) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $10.0 million;

 

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(v) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;

(vi) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;

(vii the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sublicense of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ix) foreclosures, condemnation or any similar action on assets;

(x) any disposition of Securitization Assets in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing, or the disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) the granting of a Lien that is permitted under Section 4.12 hereof;

(xii) the sale or issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof;

(xiii) any disposition in connection with financing transactions with respect to property constructed, acquired, replaced, repaired or improved (including any reconstruction, refurbishment, renovation and/or development of real property) by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations, permitted by this Indenture;

(xiv) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contractual rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

(xv) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of restaurants and related assets (other than Core Marks, except to the extent constituting non-exclusive licenses of such Core Marks and non-exclusive rights to use such Core Marks) to Franchisees, including through the sale of Equity Interests of Persons owning such assets, in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(xvii) Refranchising Transactions in the ordinary course of business;

(xviii) the sale or discount of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable in connection with collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable;

(xiv) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business, other than the exclusive licensing of intellectual property on a long-term basis;

(xx) the abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer are not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(xxi) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law; and

(xxii) the Issuer Merger and the Recapitalization.

Assumption” means the assumption by DBI on the Escrow Release Date of all of the Escrow Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” means:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,

provided, that debt securities convertible into Capital Stock shall not constitute Capital Stock unless and until such conversion actually occurs.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(a) United States dollars;

(b) (i) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or

(ii) any other foreign currency held by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(c) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(d) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks, and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

 

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(e) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c) and (d) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above, and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

(f) commercial paper rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof, and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

(g) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

(h) investment funds investing 95% or more of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (g) above;

(i) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(j) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

(k) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (a) or (b) above;

(l) credit card receivables and debit card receivables so long as such are considered cash equivalents under GAAP and are so reflected on the Issuer’s balance sheet; and

(m) Investments permitted to be made pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agreement prior to the Escrow Release Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Cash Management Services” means any of the following to the extent not constituting a line of credit (other than an overnight overdraft facility that is not in default): ACH transactions, treasury and/or cash management services, including, without limitation, controlled disbursement services, overdraft facilities, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:

(a) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions (other than by way of merger, amalgamation or consolidation), of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than to (i) one or more Permitted Holders or (ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(b) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities

 

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(within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer;

provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Assumption, the Issuer Merger and the other Transactions shall not constitute a “Change of Control” hereunder.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme and its successors.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) consolidated interest expense in respect of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (v) penalties and interest related to taxes, (w) any Additional Interest and any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with applicable registration rights obligations, (x) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, discounted liabilities, commissions, fees and expenses, (y) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Securitization Facility); plus

(b) consolidated capitalized interest in respect of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(c) interest income for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(a) any net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses, costs, charges or expenses (including any such amounts relating to the Transactions to the extent incurred on or prior to the date that is the one year anniversary of the Issue Date), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,

 

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(b) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (or a change as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies) during such period,

(c) any net after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

(d) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions (including sales or other dispositions of assets under a Securitization Facility) other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, shall be excluded,

(e) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period (without duplication for purposes of clause (C)(4)(i) of Section 4.07(a)),

(f) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, is otherwise restricted by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than restrictions in the Notes or this Indenture), unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

(g) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in such Person’s consolidated financial statements, including adjustments to the inventory, property and equipment, software and other intangible assets (including favorable and unfavorable leases and contracts), deferred revenue and debt line items in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or joint venture investment or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(h) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(i) any impairment charge, asset write-off or write-down, in each case, pursuant to GAAP and the amortization of intangibles and other assets arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,

(j) any (i) non-cash compensation charge or expense recorded from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights and (ii) income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts shall be excluded,

(k) any fees, costs and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale or other disposition, issuance, tender, exchange or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any

 

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charges or non-recurring costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

(l) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition in accordance with GAAP, shall be excluded,

(m) any net unrealized gain or loss resulting from currency translation and transactional gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any unrealized net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk),

(n) any net unrealized gains and losses resulting from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements shall be excluded,

(o) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks shall be excluded, and

(p) any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by (i) indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment, acquisition or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is (A) not denied by the applicable carrier (without any right of appeal thereof) within 180 days and (B) in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded, and (ii) insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365-day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (a)(C)(4) thereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur to (b) the Issuer’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma

 

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adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments in respect of Indebtedness (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all obligations relating to Qualified Securitization Financings and all undrawn amounts under revolving credit facilities or lines), as determined in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness in respect of (A) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed amounts under standby letters of credit, or (B) Hedging Obligations existing on the Issue Date or otherwise permitted by clause (x) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (y) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries under any revolving credit facility or line of credit as at any date of determination shall be determined using the Average Quarterly Balance of such Indebtedness for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available as of such date of determination (the “Reference Period”). For purposes hereof, (a) the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer, (b) “Average Quarterly Balance” means, with respect to any Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries under a revolving facility or line of credit, the quotient of (x) the sum of each Individual Quarterly Balance for each fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date of determination and included in the Reference Period divided by (y) 4, and (c) “Individual Quarterly Balance” means, with respect to any Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries under a revolving credit facility or line of credit during any fiscal quarter of the Issuer, the quotient of (x) the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness at the end of each day of such quarter divided by (y) the number of days in such fiscal quarter.

Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,

(a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(b) to advance or supply funds

(i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or

(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or

(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any Sponsor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is

 

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organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Issuer and/or other companies.

Corporate Trust Office” means (a) with respect to the Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Capital Market Services -Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. and (b) with respect to the Indenture Administrator, (i) for Notes transfer purposes and for purposes of presentment and surrender of Notes for the final distributions thereon, Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10005, Attention: 15th Floor Window and (ii) for all other purposes, Citibank, N.A., 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: Global Transaction Services - Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.; or any other address that the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee may designate with respect to itself from time to time by notice to the Issuer and the Holders.

Core Marks” means the Dunkin’ Donuts® and Baskin-Robbins® trademarks.

Custodian” means the Indenture Administrator, as custodian with respect to the Notes, each in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

DBI” means Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Debt Facilities” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the New Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refunding thereof, in whole or in part, and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance, in whole or in part, any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such amendment, supplement, modification, extension, renewal, restatement, replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted amendment be borrowed or issued under any of the foregoing or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or investor or group of lenders or investors.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

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Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer or the applicable parent company thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period

(a) increased (without duplication) by:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, franchise, excise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes) paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(ii) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk net of interest income and gains with respect to such obligations and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (a)(v) through (a)(z) thereof, to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income); plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(iv) any charges, expenses or costs (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness, in each case, permitted to be incurred by the Indenture (including a refinancing thereof), whether or not successful, including fees, expenses or charges related to,

(i) the offering of the Notes and the New Credit Facilities and any Securitization Fees, and

(ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes, the New Credit Facilities and any Securitization Fees, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(v) the amount any charges, expenses or costs related to integration, transition, facilities openings, vacant facilities, consolidations, relocations and closings, pre-openings, openings, permitted acquisitions, joint venture investments, dispositions, strategic initiatives,

 

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business optimization (including relating to systems design and upgrade and implementation costs and franchisee information technology programs), earn-out and similar obligations in connection with acquisitions accrued after consummation of the related acquisitions, restructuring, franchisee-related restructuring programs, severance, and curtailments or modifications to pension and postretirement employee benefit plans deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(vi) non-cash charges, expenses, losses, accruals and reserves reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (including any impairment charges or the impact of purchase accounting), excluding any such charge, expense, loss, accrual or reserve that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period; plus

(vii) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination and transaction fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period to the Sponsors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof; plus

(viii) (A) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings and synergies projected in good faith by the Issuer to result from actions either taken or expected to be taken within 12 months after the end of such period (which cost savings and synergies shall be subject only to certification by management as being reasonably identifiable and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions of the Issuer and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions (it is understood and agreed that “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken or expected to be taken within 12 months (which adjustments, without duplication, may be incremental to pro forma cost savings and synergies adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”)), and (B) charges, costs, expenses and losses relating to entry into new markets (including market research programs); provided that the aggregate amounts added back pursuant to subclause (A) and subclause (B) of this clause (viii) shall not exceed 10.0% of EBITDA for the applicable period prior to giving effect to such add backs; plus

(ix) the amount of loss on sale of Securitization Assets and related assets to the Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing; plus

(x) any charges, expenses, losses, accruals and reserves incurred by the Issuer (or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income solely by reason of push down accounting under GAAP) or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; plus

(xi) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(A) rent expense as determined in accordance with GAAP not actually paid in cash during such period; plus

(B) realized foreign exchange losses resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(C) net realized losses from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standard Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; plus

the amount of any expense or deduction consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to non-controlling interests or minority interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

(b) decreased (without duplication) by: (i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding (A) amounts attributable to investments accounted for using the equity method, (B) any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and (C) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period; plus (ii) realized foreign exchange income or gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus (iii) any net realized income or gains from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standard Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements, plus (iv) rent expense actually paid in cash during such period to the extent exceeding rent expense determined in accordance with GAAP; and

(c) increased or decreased by (without duplication), as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 460 or any comparable regulation.

EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

(a) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(b) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(c) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

ERISA Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iv) hereof.

Escrow Account” means a segregated account, under the sole control of the Escrow Agent, that includes proceeds of the Notes issued on the Issue Date, Investments of such proceeds in Cash Equivalents and the proceeds thereof and interest or other income earned thereon as well as additional cash amounts deposited into the Escrow Account by the Escrow Issuer on the Issue Date, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders.

Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agreement” means the Senior Notes Escrow and Security Agreement dated as of November 15, 2010 by and among the Escrow Issuer, DBI, the Escrow Agent, the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator.

Escrow Issuer” means Dunkin’ Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation.

Escrow Release Date” means the date upon which the Escrow Property (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) is released from the Escrow Account in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

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euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Notes” means the Notes of the Issuer issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” means an Exchange Offer Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer from

(a) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(b) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires, repays or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility (unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced)) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement, repayment or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operations that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operations had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

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For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operations which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(b) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and

(c) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof and any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.

Franchisee” means any Person, other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, that directly or indirectly owns or operates or is approved by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to own or operate a store, restaurant or point of distribution that is branded as Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins or any other brand operated by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which are in effect on the Issue Date.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Securities” means securities that are:

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

 

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which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Guarantor” means each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, commodity price or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.

IAI” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

Immediate Family Members” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(a) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i) in respect of borrowed money;

(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(iii) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) due more than twelve months after such property is acquired, except (A) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business (and with respect to commercial letters of credit repaid in a timely manner) and (B) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and is not paid after becoming due and payable; or

 

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(iv) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded;

(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person;

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (i) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) obligations under or in respect of any Qualified Securitization Financing. For the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness does not include Cash Management Services.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Indenture Administrator” means Citibank, N.A., as indenture administrator, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers” means J. P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the ERISA Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described herein for exchanges of interests in Global Notes.

Interest Payment Date” means June 1 and December 1 of each year to stated maturity.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or, in either case, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

 

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(b) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(c) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(d) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, credit card and debit card receivables, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

(a) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

(i) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less

(ii) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(b) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Issuer.

Issue Date” means November 23, 2010.

Issuer” means, prior to the consummation of the Assumption, the Escrow Issuer, and from and after the consummation of the Assumption and the execution of the supplemental indenture substantially in the form attached of Exhibit D attached hereto, DBI and its permitted successors.

Issuer Merger” means the merger of the Escrow Issuer and DBI following the Assumption.

Issuer’s Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, and delivered to the Indenture Administrator and/or the Trustee, as the case may be.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuer and sent to all Holders for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not

 

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filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the assets disposed of required (other than required by clause (i) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

New Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facility under the Credit Agreement to be entered into as of the Issue Date by and among Dunkin Brands Holdings, Inc., the Issuer, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof).

New Credit Facilities Escrow Account” means a segregated account, under the sole control of the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agent, that includes the cash proceeds of any borrowings under the New Credit Facilities on the Issue Date, Investments of such proceeds in Cash Equivalents and the proceeds thereof and interest or other income earned thereon as well as additional cash amounts deposited into the New Credit Facilities Escrow Account by or on behalf of the Escrow Issuer on the Issue Date, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the collateral agent for the benefit of the lenders and other liens permitted thereunder.

New Credit Facilities Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as escrow agent under the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agreement.

New Credit Facilities Escrow Agreement” means the Escrow and Security Agreement among the Escrow Issuer, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, and the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agent, dated as of November 23, 2010 pursuant to which the proceeds of the term loans and revolving credit loans made on the Issue Date will be deposited into the New Credit Facilities Escrow Account.

Non-Guarantor Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

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Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall include any Additional Notes that may be issued under any supplemental indenture.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated November 15, 2010, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer or any other Person, as the case may be.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer or on behalf of any other Person, as the case may be, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer or such other Person, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator and that meets the requirements set forth in the indenture. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer, the Trustee or the Indenture Administrator.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Participating Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalent received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

Permitted Holders” means the Sponsors and members of management of the Issuer (or its direct parent) who are holders of Equity Interests of the Issuer (or any of its direct or indirect parent companies) on the Issue Date and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the Sponsors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by such group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

 

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(c) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit or product line, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) that is engaged in a Similar Business (including through entities that will become Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Investment) if as a result of such Investment:

(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets (or a division, business unit or product line, including any research and development and related assets in respect of any product) to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer;

(d) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(e) any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date and any extension, modification, replacement or renewal of any such Investments or binding commitment existing on the Issue Date, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases thereof other than (i) as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investment as in effect on the Issue Date (or as subsequently amended or otherwise modified in a manner not disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect), or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(f) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(i) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable; or

(ii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons or as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(g) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.09(b)(x) hereof;

(h) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 2.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(i) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

(j) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09 hereof;

 

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(k) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (ii), (v), (ix) and (xv) thereof);

(l) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;

(m) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 1.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(n) Investments relating to a Securitization Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Qualified Securitization Financing;

(o) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, officers, directors and employees not in excess of $15.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(p) loans and advances to (i) officers, directors, employees and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) future, present or former officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (and their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent thereof, to the extent the proceeds of any such loans and advances to purchase Equity Interests under this clause (p)(i) are either received by the Issuer or contributed by such direct or indirect parent company to the Issuer;

(q) Investments consisting of licensing of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(r) Investments (i) in any Franchisee or joint venture in connection with marketing and advertising arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) in any Franchisee or joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) consisting of guarantees of obligations (other than Indebtedness), including lease obligations, of Franchisees and joint ventures in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Investments consisting of loans, advances and extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(t) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of employees within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 92-64 or other grantor trust subject to the claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of the Issuer;

(u) Investments in any Affiliated Organization;

(v) repurchases of Notes and obligations under Debt Facilities and other Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as such Indebtedness is cancelled or otherwise retired in connection with such repurchase;

(w) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection of deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers; and

 

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(x) Refranchising Transactions.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP, or for property taxes on property that the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claims is to such property, or for property taxes on property that the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claims is to such property;

(d) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph and telephone and cable television lines, gas and oil pipelines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(f) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (iv), (xii)(B), (xiii) or (xviii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (A) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) extend only to the assets securing the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased by such Refinancing Indebtedness, and (B) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xviii) of Section 4.09(b) shall extend only to the assets of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries;

(g) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

(h) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in

 

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contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(i) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(j) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

(k) Liens securing Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Services so long as (a) related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations or (b) such obligations are secured by the property securing any Debt Facilities so long as such obligations are owed to lenders (or affiliates thereof) under such Debt Facilities;

(l) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(m) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(n) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or comparable foreign statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(p) Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuer’s clients;

(q) Liens on Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing;

(r) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h) and (i); provided, however, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (g), (h) and (i) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(s) deposits made or other security provided to secure liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(t) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

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(u) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(v) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(w) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(x) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

(y) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(z) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(aa) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;

(bb) the rights reserved or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

(cc) restrictive covenants affecting the use to which real property may be put; provided, however, that the covenants are complied with;

(dd) security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business;

(ee) zoning by-laws and other land use restrictions, including, without limitation, site plan agreements, development agreements and contract zoning agreements;

(ff) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(gg) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Debt Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(i) hereof;

 

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(hh) Liens incurred to secure Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Obligations permitted under this clause (hh), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 4.0 to 1.0;

(ii) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(jj) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(kk) Liens on the assets of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(ll) Liens on vehicles arising from Capitalized Lease Obligations entered into with respect to such vehicles so long as such leases are permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; and

(mm) prior to the Escrow Release Date, Liens created under the Escrow Agreement and the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agreement.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Qualified Proceeds” means assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business; provided that the fair market value of any such assets or Capital Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Issuer.

Qualified Securitization Financing” means any Securitization Facility of a Securitization Subsidiary that meets the following conditions: (i) the board of managers or directors of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Securitization Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) all sales of Securitization Assets and related assets by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Securitization Subsidiary or any other Person are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), (iii) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings and (iv) the Obligations under such Securitization Facility are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary). The grant of a security interest in any Securitization Assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) to secure Indebtedness under Debt Facilities shall not be deemed a Qualified Securitization Financing.

 

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Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Recapitalization” means (1) the redemption and discharge of the ABS Notes and the payment of associated premiums, accrued interest and all related fees and expenses, (2) the Assumption, (3) the payment of a dividend or distribution and other application of the net proceeds of the Notes and the New Credit Facilities as described under “Use of proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum and (4) the release and application of any funds held in escrow in order to effect any of the foregoing.

Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the May 15 and November 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Refranchising Transaction” means any acquisition of one or more franchises (including stores, store development agreements, real estate and other related assets and rights) and the subsequent sale or other disposition of such franchises to one or more Franchisees to the extent such franchises are classified as “assets held for sale” on the balance sheet of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or are expected to be, and are actually, sold or otherwise disposed of within 365 days of such acquisition.

Registration Rights Agreement” means (i) the Registration Rights Agreement related to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Escrow Issuer, DBI and the Initial Purchasers, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and (ii) any other registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of Additional Notes in a private offering by the Issuer after the Issue Date.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the ERISA Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and the ERISA Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee or the Indenture Administrator, as the case may be, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or the Indenture Administrator, as applicable, with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to the Notes.

Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Securitization Asset” means any accounts receivable or participation therein, real estate asset, mortgage receivables, franchise fee payments and other revenue related to franchise agreements, royalty and similar payments made related to the use of trade names and other intellectual property, business support, training and other services and revenues relating to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or related assets, in each case subject to a Securitization Facility.

Securitization Facility” means any of one or more securitization financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its Securitization Assets to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells Securitization Assets to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any Securitization Asset or participation interest therein issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization Financing.

 

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Securitization Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a Qualified Securitization Financing to repurchase Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including, without limitation, as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages in, one or more Qualified Securitization Financings and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(a) all Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding under the New Credit Facilities or Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of the Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(b) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to a Lender (as defined in the New Credit Facilities) or any Affiliate of such Lender (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into), provided that such Hedging Obligations are permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture;

(c) any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(d) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c);

provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or Obligation of such Person.

Senior Management” means the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer.

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Similar Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business that is similar, reasonably related, complementary, incidental or ancillary thereto.

Sponsor Management Agreement” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, the Issuer, Dunkin’ Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Dunkin’ Brands Group Holdings, Inc, a Delaware corporation, as in effect on the Issue Date and as such agreement may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, replaced or substituted from time to time.

 

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Sponsors” means Bain Capital Partners, L.P., The Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and each of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by it or its Affiliates, but excluding, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer which the Issuer has determined in good faith to be customary in a Securitization Financing, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Securitization Subsidiary, it being understood that any Securitization Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means,

(a) with respect to the Notes, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

(b) with respect to the Guarantees, any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or is consolidated under GAAP with such Person at such time; and

(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which

(i) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

(ii) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

“Subsidiary” shall not include any Affiliated Organization.

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that provides a Guarantee of the Notes.

Total Assets” means, as of any date, the total consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions contained in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Transactions” means (a) the issuance of the Notes and the borrowings under the New Credit Facilities on the Issue Date, (b) the issuance of the Subordinated Note, (c) the Recapitalization and (d) the other transactions, including payment of fees and expenses, in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

 

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Trustee” means Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(a) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and

(b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that

(a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer;

(b) such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and

(c) each of:

(i) the Subsidiary to be so designated; and

(ii) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary would be able to incur such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof, on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

 

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Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

(a) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

(b) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined
in Section

“Acceptable Commitment”

   4.10

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Asset Sale Offer”

   4.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Automatic Exchange”

   2.06

“Automatic Exchange Date”

   2.06

“Automatic Exchange Notice”

   2.06

“Automatic Exchange Notice Date”

   2.06

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.14

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Escrow Period”

   4.10

“Escrow Termination Date”

   3.08

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“incur”

   4.09

“Initial Lien

   4.12

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Note Register”

   2.03

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Optional Redemption”

   4.14

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

   4.10

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Redemption Date”

   3.01

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Reinstatement Date”

   4.17

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

“Second Commitment”

   4.10

 

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Term

   Defined
in Section

“Special Redemption Date”

   3.08

“Subordinated Note”

   4.16

“Successor Company”

   5.01

“Successor Person”

   5.01

“Suspended Covenants”

   4.17

“Suspension Period”

   4.17

“Taxes”

   4.05

“Transfer Agent”

   2.03

“Treasury Capital Stock”

   4.07

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Guarantees;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including,” “includes” and similar words means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(f) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(h) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

 

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(j) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;

(k) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(l) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory purchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and

(m) all references to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest.

Section 1.05. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments is delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, as applicable, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuer (or the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee) may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such

 

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principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuer (or the Indenture Administrator or Trustee) may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01. Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Indenture Administrator’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Indenture Administrator or the Custodian, at the direction of the Indenture Administrator, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Indenture Administrator as hereinafter provided.

Following (i) the termination of the Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Indenture Administrator of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof)

 

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and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator shall remove the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Indenture Administrator and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date shall be in the aggregate principal amount of $625.0 million. In addition, the Issuer may issue, from time to time, Additional Notes (as provided herein) and Exchange Notes.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuer pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 hereof or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuer without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance (or such other date specified by the Issuer); provided that the Issuer’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuer’s compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer by manual, facsimile or electronic (including “.pdf”) signature.

If an Officer of the Issuer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Indenture Administrator authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A, by the manual signature of the Indenture Administrator. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Indenture Administrator shall, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Indenture Administrator shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes or Exchange Notes (but only upon completion of an Exchange Offer or in a sale under a Shelf Registration Statement) for an aggregate

 

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principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued or increased hereunder.

The Indenture Administrator may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Indenture Administrator may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Indenture Administrator includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

Section 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration (“Registrar”), an office or agency where Notes may be presented for transfer or for exchange (“Transfer Agent”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more co-transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, the term “Transfer Agent” includes any co-transfer agent and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Indenture Administrator shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. The Issuer or any of its domestic Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes representing the Notes.

The Issuer initially appoints the Indenture Administrator to act as the Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Indenture Administrator to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Indenture Administrator all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, and will notify the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Indenture Administrator) to pay all money held by it to the Indenture Administrator. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary or the Trustee) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05. Holder Lists. The Indenture Administrator shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Indenture Administrator is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Administrator at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to

 

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continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Indenture Administrator in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes (although Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt of any certificate required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B)), (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default or (iv) upon the request of DTC in accordance with customary DTC procedures. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Sections 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A or to IAIs other than in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described herein for exchanges of interests in a Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any statement of beneficial interest required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the applicable Letter of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon

 

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satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Indenture Administrator shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(B) Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Issuer or Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Indenture Administrator (upon written confirmation of the above from the Registrar if it is not also acting as the Registrar) shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instruction substantially in the form of Exhibit B or Exhibit C, as the case may be, a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Indenture Administrator (upon written confirmation of the above from the Registrar if it is not also acting as the Registrar) shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 2.06(c)(i)(A) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any statements of beneficial interest required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B), except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (ii) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Indenture Administrator (upon written confirmation by the Registrar of the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) if it is not also acting as Registrar) shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a

 

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Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Indenture Administrator shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Indenture Administrator (upon written confirmation of the above from the Registrar if it is not also acting as the Registrar) shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note and in the case of clause (D) above, the applicable Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the

 

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distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Indenture Administrator (upon written confirmation of the above from the Registrar if it is not also acting as the Registrar) shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may request from the Registrar to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request by the Registrar for such an exchange or transfer, the Registrar shall instruct the Indenture Administrator to cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

 

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(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance

 

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with Section 2.02 hereof, the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Indenture Administrator shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuer shall execute and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of an Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF THE RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE AND THE INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR GLOBAL NOTE: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE

 

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MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF $250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTIN IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE REGISTRAR’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND OTHERWISE SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. [IN THE CASE OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):

“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 INDENTURE ADMINISTRATOR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) 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 INDENTURE ADMINISTRATOR 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 ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED

 

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REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE. PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE RESTRICTED PERIOD APPLICABLE HERETO, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN MAY NOT BE HELD BY ANY PERSON OTHER THAN (1) A NON-U.S. PERSON OR (2) A U.S. PERSON THAT PURCHASED SUCH INTEREST IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN ARE NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR PHYSICAL NOTES OTHER THAN A PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE. TERMS IN THIS LEGEND ARE USED AS USED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(iv) ERISA Legend. Each Global Note and each Definitive Note and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof shall bear the legend in substantially the following:

“BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY THE HOLDER AND ANY SUBSEQUENT TRANSFEREE HEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER OR ANY TRANSFEREE TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (II) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY BY SUCH HOLDER OR TRANSFEREE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICATION SIMILAR LAWS.”

(h) Automatic Exchange from Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Global. Upon the Issuer’s satisfaction that the Private Placement Legend shall no longer be required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note may be automatically exchanged into beneficial interests in an “Unrestricted Global Note” without any action required by or on behalf of the Holder (the “Automatic Exchange”) at any time on or after the date that is the 366th calendar day after (A) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Issue Date or (B) with respect to Additional Notes, if any, the issue date of such Additional Notes, or, in each case, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (the “Automatic Exchange Date”). Upon the Issuer’s satisfaction that the Private Placement Legend shall no longer be required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, the Issuer may pursuant to the rules and procedures (i) provide written notice to DTC at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Automatic Exchange Date, instructing DTC to exchange all of the outstanding beneficial interests in a particular Restricted Global Note to the Unrestricted Global Note, which the Issuer shall have previously otherwise made eligible for exchange with the DTC, (ii) provide

 

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prior written notice (the “Automatic Exchange Notice”) to each Holder at such Holder’s address appearing in the register of Holders at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the Automatic Exchange Date (the “Automatic Exchange Notice Date”), which notice must include (w) the Automatic Exchange Date, (x) the section of the Indenture pursuant to which the Automatic Exchange shall occur, (y) the “CUSIP” number of the Restricted Global Note from which such Holder’s beneficial interests shall be transferred and the (z) “CUSIP” number of the Unrestricted Global Note into which such Holder’s beneficial interests shall be transferred, and (iii) on or prior to the Automatic Exchange Date, deliver to the Indenture Administrator for authentication upon receipt of an Authentication Order, one or more Unrestricted Global Notes, duly executed by the Issuer, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Restricted Global Notes to be exchanged. At the Issuer’s request on no less than seven calendar days’ notice prior to the Automatic Exchange Notice Date, the Indenture Administrator shall deliver, in the Issuer’s name and at its expense, the Automatic Exchange Notice to each Holder at such Holder’s address appearing in the register of Note Register. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.06(h), during the fifteen day period prior to the Automatic Exchange Date, no transfers or exchanges other than pursuant to this Section 2.06(h) shall be permitted without the prior written consent of the Issuer. As a condition to any Automatic Exchange, the Issuer shall provide, and the Indenture Administrator shall be entitled to rely upon, an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably acceptable to the Indenture Administrator to the effect that the Automatic Exchange shall be effected in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend shall no longer be required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and that the aggregate principal amount of the particular Restricted Global Note is to be transferred to the particular Unrestricted Global Note by adjustment made on the records of the Indenture Administrator, as custodian for the Depositary to reflect the Automatic Exchange. Upon such exchange of beneficial interests pursuant to this Section 2.06(h), the aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes shall be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Indenture Administrator, as custodian for the Depositary, to reflect the relevant increase or decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note resulting from the applicable exchange. The Restricted Global Note from which beneficial interests are transferred pursuant to an Automatic Exchange shall be canceled following the Automatic Exchange.

(i) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Indenture Administrator in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Indenture Administrator or by the Depositary at the direction of the Indenture Administrator to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Indenture Administrator or by the Depositary at the direction of the Indenture Administrator to reflect such increase.

(j) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14, and 9.05 hereof).

(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the

 

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day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date with respect to such Note and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note.

(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(v) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Indenture Administrator, any Agent, the Trustee and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Indenture Administrator, any Agent, the Trustee or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary. So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder represented by the Global Note for all purposes under this Indenture. Owners of beneficial interests in respect of a Global Note will not be entitled to have Notes represented by such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes, and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee thereunder. Accordingly, each Holder owning a beneficial interest in respect of a Global Note must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such Holder is not a participant or an indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such Holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder of Notes under this Indenture or such Global Note.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, subject to Section 2.06(a) hereof, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(x) The Indenture Administrator and/or the Registrar shall be entitled to request such evidence reasonably satisfactory to it documenting the identity and/or signatures of the transferor and the transferee.

(xi) None of the Indenture Administrator, the Registrar or the Trustee shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or Applicable Procedures with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Holders) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly

 

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required by, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine material compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.07. Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Indenture Administrator, the Registrar or the Issuer and the Indenture Administrator receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Indenture Administrator, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Indenture Administrator’s requirements are met. If required by the Indenture Administrator or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of both (i) the Indenture Administrator to protect the Indenture Administrator and (ii) the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Indenture Administrator may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Indenture Administrator except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Indenture Administrator in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Indenture Administrator receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes hereof.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding (including for accounting purposes) and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.

Section 2.10. Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Indenture Administrator, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be in form reasonably acceptable to the Indenture Administrator. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

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Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Indenture Administrator any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Indenture Administrator or, at the direction of the Indenture Administrator, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner. Certification of the disposal of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer upon its request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation.

Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Indenture Administrator an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall (or the Indenture Administrator on its behalf shall) fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee (or the Indenture Administrator on its behalf) shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13. CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will as promptly as practicable notify the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01. Notices to Indenture Administrator and Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, no later than three Business Days prior to the date that notice of redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

 

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Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If the Issuer elects to redeem less than all of the Notes issued by it at any time, the Indenture Administrator shall select the Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed, (b) on a pro rata basis (to the extent practicable) or (c) by lot or by such other similar method in accordance with the procedures of DTC (if the Notes are Global Notes). In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Indenture Administrator in accordance with the procedures of DTC from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Indenture Administrator shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000 or an integral multiple thereof, may be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in this Indenture, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption. The Issuer shall deliver electronically or mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Notices of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be conditional.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) the CUSIP and ISIN number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and ISIN number that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) any condition to such redemption.

At the Issuer’s request, the Indenture Administrator shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator, no later than three

 

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Business Days prior to the date that the notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Indenture Administrator), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Indenture Administrator give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

If the Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer will notify the exchange of any such redemption and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. A notice of redemption, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Indenture Administrator or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest (included Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that Redemption Date. The Indenture Administrator or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Indenture Administrator or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

(b) If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Indenture Administrator shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Indenture Administrator to authenticate such new Note.

Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

(a) The Issuer may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed on or after any of the dates indicated below until the subsequent date indicated below:

 

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Year

   Percentage  

November 23, 2010

     100.50

December 1, 2011

     102.50

December 1, 2012

     102.00

December 1, 2013 and thereafter

     100.00

(b) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof. Any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering (in the case of an Equity Offering), other offering or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof.

(c) The Indenture Administrator shall select the Notes to be redeemed in the manner described under Section 3.02 hereof.

Section 3.08. Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) All of the Notes then outstanding will be redeemed on the Special Redemption Date (as defined below) at a redemption price equal to 98.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued on the Issue Date plus accrued interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the Special Redemption Date if:

(i) irrevocable notice for the redemption of all of the outstanding ABS Notes has not been given under the indenture governing the ABS Notes on or prior to December 17, 2010,

(ii) the closing documents required to be escrowed under the Documentation Escrow Agreement (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) have not been deposited with the documentation escrow agent under the Documentation Escrow Agreement on or prior to December 17, 2010, or

(iii) the Escrow Issuer notifies the Escrow Agent in writing that it will not pursue the consummation of the Recapitalization on or prior to December 21, 2010

(the date of any such occurrence, the “Escrow Termination Date”).

If the Escrow Termination Date occurs, then the Notes will be redeemed on the first Business Day after release of the escrowed funds by the Escrow Agent to the Indenture Administrator (the “Special Redemption Date”), without the requirement of notice to the Trustee, the Indenture Administrator, any Holder or any other Person. The foregoing provisions will cease to apply if the Escrow Termination Date has not occurred on or prior to December 21, 2010.

(b) Except as described in Section 3.08(a) hereof, the Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09. Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable, with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination), or, if less than the Offer Amount has

 

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been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or send, by first-class mail a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuer, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and/or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Indenture Administrator so that only Notes in an amount not less than $2,000 are purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose Definitive Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Indenture Administrator the Notes properly accepted,

 

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together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.

(f) The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Indenture Administrator, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Indenture Administrator to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Indenture Administrator or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that purchase date. The Indenture Administrator or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Indenture Administrator or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Issuer shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or an affiliate of the Indenture Administrator or Trustee, Trustee, Registrar, co-registrar or Transfer Agent) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Administrator.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations;

 

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provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Administrator as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03. Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC, within 15 days after the dates set forth below:

(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 (and 120 days for the fiscal year ending December 25, 2010), all financial information that would be required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC, including a “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, all financial information that would be required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC; and

(iii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports;

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC (A) if the SEC does not permit such filing or (B) prior to the consummation of an exchange offer or the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement as required by the Registration Rights Agreement, so long as if clause (A) or (B) is applicable, the Issuer makes available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee, the Indenture Administrator and the Holders of the Notes, in each case, at the Issuer’s expense and by the applicable date the Issuer would be required to file such information pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. To the extent any such information is not so filed or furnished, as applicable, within the time periods specified above and such information is subsequently filed or furnished, as applicable, the Issuer shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured; provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Article 6 hereof if Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes have declared the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately and such declaration shall not have been rescinded or cancelled prior to such cure. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. The Issuer shall not be required to deliver the financial statements and information of the type required to be delivered pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.03(a) with respect to the fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2010.

(b) In lieu of furnishing or making such information available to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator pursuant to Section 4.03(a) hereof the Issuer may, at its option, post copies of such information required by Section 4.03(a) hereof on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Issuer or a third party) to which access will be given to Holders, prospective investors in the Notes (which prospective investors shall be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A of the Securities Act or non-U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) that certify their status as such to the reasonable

 

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satisfaction of the Issuer), and securities analysts and market making financial institutions that are reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer. The Issuer shall hold quarterly conference calls that are publicly accessible after the Issuer’s financial statements for the prior fiscal period have been made available, provided that such conference calls shall be held no later than 5 Business Days after the date that such financial statements are actually made available.

(c) The Issuer shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this section if any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer files and provides reports, documents and information of the types otherwise so required, in each case within the applicable time periods, and the Issuer shall not be required to file such reports, documents and information separately under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (after giving effect to any exemptive relief) because of the filings by such parent company; provided that such financial statements are accompanied by consolidating financial information for such parent company, on the one hand, and for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by the filing with the SEC of any registration statement or other filing, and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

(e) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator is for informational purposes only and their respective receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s, any Guarantor’s or any other Person’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator are entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(f) Neither the Trustee nor the Indenture Administrator shall be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Issuer’s, any Guarantor’s or any other Person’s compliance with the covenants described in this Indenture or with respect to any reports or other documents filed under this Indenture.

(g) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, failure by the Issuer to comply with any of its obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of clause (iii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof will not constitute an Event of Default thereunder until 90 days after the receipt of the written notice delivered thereunder.

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or such later date as may be permitted pursuant to Section 4.03(a) for the delivery of the Issuer’s annual report required under subclause (i) therein), and upon request, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, treasurer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled in all material respects each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year no Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be within ten Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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Section 4.05. Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders or for which appropriate reserves, if necessary, are maintained in accordance with GAAP.

Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger or consolidation other than:

(A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or

(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer;

(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case, prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:

(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

(B) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

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(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ix) and (xiv) (but, in the case of clause (xiv), only with respect to the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Preferred Stock) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) commencing October 1, 2010 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Issuer (or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to the extent the proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer), including Treasury Capital Stock (as defined below), but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to any members of management, members of the board of managers or directors, employees, or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer and the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

(y) Designated Preferred Stock; and

(B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or

(ii) debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(provided, however, that in addition to clauses (x) and (y) referred to above, this clause (2) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions); plus

 

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(3) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer following the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds (i) have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, (ii) are contributed by a Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) constitute Excluded Contributions); plus

(4) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, and returns on other Investments to the extent such returns are not included in Consolidated Net Income, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent of the amount of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clauses (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus

(5) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred) (which if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $50.0 million, shall be approved by the board of directors of the Issuer) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger or consolidation or transfer of assets (after taking into consideration any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or merged or consolidated or Indebtedness associated with the assets so transferred), other than to the extent of the amount of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clauses (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture or the redemption, repurchase or retirement of Indebtedness if, at the date of any irrevocable redemption notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii)(A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the

 

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Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”), (B) the declaration and payment of dividends on Treasury Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock, and (C) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock pursuant to sub-clause (A) of this clause (ii), the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(iii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of (1) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and (2) Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, new Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in each case which is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference of, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any premium (including any tender premiums), defeasance costs and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, exchange, acquisition or retirement and the issuance of such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as the case may be;

(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so repurchased, defeased, exchanged, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(C) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (i) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, exchanged, acquired or retired, and (ii) the maturity date of the Notes; and

(D) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for (1) the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, member of the board of directors, member of management or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (and the permitted transferees, assigns, Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members estates or heirs of such employee, director or consultant), pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or (2) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable on the exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, member of the board of directors or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or

 

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any of its direct or indirect parent companies (and the permitted transferees, assigns, Controlled Investment Affiliates, Immediate Family Members, estates or heirs of such employee, director or consultant); provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed in any calendar year $12.5 million (which shall increase to $25.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $20.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $40.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to any employee, member of the board of directors, members of management, or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) and have not been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; plus

(B) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent company thereof in connection with the Recapitalization that are foregone in exchange for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof pursuant to any deferred compensation plan of such company; plus

(C) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (including proceeds of such insurance policies of any direct or indirect parent contributed to the Issuer) after the Issue Date; less

(D) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv);

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary by any employee, member of the board of directors or consultant of the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in connection with a purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer after the Issue Date; provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (A) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually received by the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock;

(A) the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions to a direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent company issued after the Issue Date; provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (B) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

 

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(B) the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, however, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(vii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of (x) $30.0 million and (y) 1.0% of Total Assets;

(viii) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(ix) the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the consummation of the first public offering of the Issuer’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after the Issue Date, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Issuer in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(x) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(xi) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xi), that are at the time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Investment to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been subsequently sold or transferred for, cash or marketable securities) not to exceed the greater of (x) $45.0 million and (y) 1.5% of Total Assets at the time made;

(xii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees, sales contributions and other transfers of Securitization Assets and purchases of Securitization Assets pursuant to a Securitization Repurchase Obligation, in each case in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing;

(xiii) the Recapitalization and any other Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto or used to fund amounts owed to Affiliates, in each case, as described in the Offering Memorandum and to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof provided that payments to Affiliates due to the termination of agreements with the Sponsors described under “Certain relationships and related party transactions” or similar agreements shall be permitted by this clause (xiii) only to the extent such termination is attributable to an underwritten registered public offering of common stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or to a Change of Control;

(xiv) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Preferred Stock or Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to in accordance with the provisions similar to those described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof; provided that all Notes tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(xv) the declaration and payment of dividends by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent companies to pay, in each case without duplication,

 

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(A) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;

(B) foreign, federal, state and local income and similar taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;

(C) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers, directors and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(D) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(E) amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to pay fees and expenses incurred by any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer related to (i) the maintenance by such parent entity of its corporate or other entity existence and performance of its obligations under the New Credit Facilities and (ii) any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent company;

(F) taxes with respect to income of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer derived from funding made available to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries by such direct or indirect parent company;

(G) amounts necessary to finance Investments that would otherwise permitted to be made pursuant to this Section 4.07 if made by the Issuer; provided that (i) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (ii) such direct or indirect parent company shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (x) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (y) the merger or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof in order to consummate such Investment, (iii) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture, (iv) any property received by the Issuer shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof and (v) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this Section 4.07 (other than pursuant to clause (x) of this Section 4.07(b)) or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments” (other than clause (i) thereof); and

(H) amounts that would be permitted to be paid by the Issuer under clauses (iv), (vii), (viii), (xii), (xiii) (but, in the case of clause (xiii), only in respect of indemnities and expenses) and (xvi) of Section 4.11(b) hereof; provided that the amount of any dividend or distribution under this clause (xv)(H) to permit such payment shall reduce, without duplication, Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer to the extent, if any, that such payment would have

 

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reduced Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer and increase (or, without duplication of any reduction of Consolidated Net Income, decrease) EBITDA to the extent, if any, that EBITDA is reduced under this clause (xv)(H) and such payment would have been added back to (or, to the extent excluded from EBITDA, would have been deducted from) EBITDA if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer, in each case, in the period such payment is made;

(xvi) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash and/or Cash Equivalents); and

(xvii) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares or interests in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other rights or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer; provided that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this covenant.

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vii), (ix), (xi) and (xvi) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) on the date of such Restricted Payment of the assets or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment.

As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to this Section 4.07 or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.

Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to:

(i) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

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(b) except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the New Credit Facilities and the related documentation and related Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Services with banks which are party to the foregoing;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees (including any exchange notes and related guarantees);

(iii) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capitalized Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;

(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time of such acquisition (or at the time it merges, amalgamates or consolidates with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in each case, not created in contemplation thereof)), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

(vi) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(vii) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(viii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or arising in connection with Permitted Liens;

(ix) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred or issued subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof that impose restrictions solely on the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries party thereto or their Subsidiaries;

(x) customary provisions in joint venture agreements or arrangements and other similar agreements relating solely to such joint venture;

(xi) customary provisions contained in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses, franchise agreements or other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) any agreement or instrument (A) relating to any Indebtedness or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof if the encumbrances and restrictions are not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Holders than is customary in comparable financings (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) or is otherwise in effect on the Issue Date and (B) either (x) the Issuer determines that such encumbrance or restriction will not adversely affect the Issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments on the Notes as and when they come due or (y) such encumbrances and restrictions apply only during the continuance of a default in respect of a payment or financial maintenance covenant relating to such Indebtedness;

(xiii) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred

 

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to in clauses (i) through (xii) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and

(xiv) restrictions created in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing that, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, are necessary or advisable to effect such Securitization Facility.

Section 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, further, that Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries may not incur Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), more than an aggregate of the greater of (x) $60.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries would be outstanding pursuant to this paragraph at such time.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to:

(i) the incurrence of Indebtedness under Debt Facilities by the Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,700.0 million outstanding at any one time;

(ii) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any Guarantee) (other than any Additional Notes) and exchange notes issued in respect of such Notes and any Guarantee thereof;

(iii) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.09(b));

(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred or, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets; provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), when aggregated with the outstanding amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock under clause (xiii) incurred to refinance Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock initially incurred in reliance on this clause (iv), does not exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) 2.5% of the Issuer’s Total Assets at any one time outstanding;

 

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(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that

(A) such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet shall not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (vi)(A)); and

(B) with respect to a disposition, the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds including non-cash proceeds (the fair market value of such non-cash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(vii) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(viii) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(ix) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause;

(x) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(xi) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance, completion guarantees and similar obligations and obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees related thereto provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xii) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount (together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof (solely to the extent of the refinancing of the principal amount or the accreted value thereof) incurred under clause (xiii below) equal to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case, other than Excluded Contributions or proceeds of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or amounts applied to make a Restricted Payment in accordance with clause (ii) or clause (iv)(A) of Section 4.07(b) hereof as determined in accordance with clauses (C)(2) and (C)(3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of the definition thereof) and (B) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B), does not at any one time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 3.25% of Total Assets (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) (including any related Refinancing Indebtedness in the case of clause (xii)(A)) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xii);

(xiii) the incurrence or issuance by the Issuer of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or the incurrence or issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to extend, replace, renew, defease, refund or refinance any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (xii)(A), this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so extend, replace, renew, defease, refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock plus additional Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to pay premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, accrued interest and fees and expenses in connection with any of the foregoing (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, replaced, renewed, defeased, refunded or refinanced,

(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu in right of payment to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, renewed, defeased, refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively,

(C) shall not include:

(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer;

 

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(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(3) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(D) shall not be in a principal amount in excess of the principal amount of, premium (including tender premiums), if any, accrued interest on and related fees and expenses of, and defeasance costs related to, the Indebtedness being refunded or refinanced;

and provided further that subclause (A) of this clause (xiii) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Indebtedness outstanding under Debt Facilities or Secured Indebtedness.

(xiv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, amalgamated into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, either

(1) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof, or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to Debt Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(xvii) (A) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, any such guarantee of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantors’ Guarantee with respect to the Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;

(B) any guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Issuer so long as such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, any such guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantors’ Guarantee with respect to the Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes, as applicable; or

(C) any guarantee by a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary of Indebtedness of another Non-Guarantor Subsidiary incurred in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;

 

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(xviii) Indebtedness of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of the Issuer incurred not to exceed the greater of (x) $60.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at any one time outstanding (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xviii) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for the purpose of this clause (xviii) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which such Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xviii));

(xix) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(xx) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, present and former officers, members of the board of directors, employees and consultants thereof, including their respective estates, Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members, in each case to finance, either directly or through promissory notes issued to such persons, the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;

(xxi) Guarantees of or the assumption of up to the greater of (x) $45.0 million and (y) 1.5% of Total Assets at any time outstanding of Indebtedness of Franchisees, suppliers, distributors or licensees of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case to the extent such guarantee or assumption constitutes a Permitted Investment;

(xxii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business;

(xxiii) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, (A) customer deposits and advance payments (including progress premiums) received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business, and (B) obligations to Franchisees and joint ventures in respect of gift cards and gift certificates, in each case, to the extent the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have received cash or other assets corresponding to such obligations;

(xxiv) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Services with banks which are party to the New Credit Facilities; and

(xxv) prior to the Assumption, the Subordinated Note.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, will classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or Section 4.09(a) hereof. Additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness may later be classified as having been incurred pursuant to any category of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or pursuant to Section 4.09(a) so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Indebtedness outstanding under the New Credit Facilities on the Issue Date will be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and may not later be reclassified; and

 

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(ii) the Issuer shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b) hereof.

Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus the aggregate amount of fees and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

This Indenture shall not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral or is secured by different collateral or guaranteed, if at all, by different guarantors.

Section 4.10. Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate an Asset Sale, unless:

(i) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto, or if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been shown on the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated

 

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to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Issuer and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing,

(B) any securities or other obligations received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale, and

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $40.0 million and (y) 1.25% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale,

(i) to reduce or repay:

(A) Obligations under the New Credit Facilities, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(B) Obligations under Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(C) Obligations under other Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto); provided that, to the extent the Issuer reduces Obligations under such Indebtedness, the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under “Section 3.07 hereof,” through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; or

(D) Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary (and correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto);

(ii) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures or (C) acquisitions of other properties or assets, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Similar Business; or

(iii) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (B) acquisitions of other properties or assets that, in the case of each of (A) and (B), replace the businesses, properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

 

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provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 4.10(b), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Issuer or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within the later of (x) 450 days after the receipt of such Net Proceeds and (y) 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such Second Commitment; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds if not otherwise invested or applied pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above within 450 days of the receipt of such Net Proceeds.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) hereof will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof 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 Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to such Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the Application Period.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuer shall purchase such Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the holder of such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under any revolving credit facility or otherwise use such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(e) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

The provisions of this Section 4.10 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $7.5 million, unless:

 

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(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and

(ii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) of this Section 4.11(a).

(b) The provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:

(i) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof and Investments in the definition of “Permitted Investments;”

(iii) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses to the Sponsors (including indemnification and other similar amounts and any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, as in effect on the Issue Date or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof so long as any such amendment or replacement is not materially disadvantageous, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer, to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided for or on behalf of the benefit of, former, current or future officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

(vi) any agreement or arrangement as in effect as of the Issue Date (other than the Sponsor Management Agreement), or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

(vii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders’ agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing agreement, together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the original agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

 

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(viii) the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, in each case as contemplated in the Offering Memorandum;

(ix) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(x) if otherwise permitted under this Indenture, the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Issuer and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith or any contribution to the capital of direct or indirect parent companies, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(xi) any customary transaction with a Securitization Subsidiary effected as part of a Qualified Securitization Financing;

(xii) payments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith;

(xiii) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans, restricted stock plans, bonus programs and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved in good faith by the Issuer;

(xiv) (i) investments by Permitted Holders in securities of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Permitted Holders in connection therewith) so long as (A) the investment is being offered by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities, and (ii) payments to Permitted Holders in respect of securities of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries contemplated in the foregoing subclause (i) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities;

(xv) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) that is an Affiliate of the Issuer solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Person;

(xvi) payments by the Issuer (and any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Issuer (and any such parent company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;

(xvii) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Franchisee or joint venture partner of the Issuer in the ordinary course of business, which is approved in good faith by the Issuer; and

(xviii) Refranchising Transactions and intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Section 4.12. Liens. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) (each, an “Initial Lien”) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, unless:

(a) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(b) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien that gave rise to the obligation to so secure the Notes and Guarantees.

Section 4.13. Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its company existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently delivered a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall deliver notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Security Register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with the following information:

(i) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuer;

(ii) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(iii) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(v) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

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(vi) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes, provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the expiration time of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(vii) that if the Issuer is redeeming less than all of the Notes, the Holders of the remaining Notes shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(viii) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(ix) the other instructions, as determined by us, consistent with this Section 4.14.

The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent permitted by law,

(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

(iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuer.

(c) The issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(e) The provisions of this Section 4.14 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.

Section 4.15. Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or guarantee all or a portion of the New Credit Facilities (solely to the extent

 

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relating to obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor)), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

(a) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days after the guarantee of such Indebtedness executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture the form of which is attached as Exhibit E hereto and joinder providing for a senior Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that

(i) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee with respect to the Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes; and

(ii) if the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee are subordinated in right of payment to such Indebtedness, the Guarantee under the supplemental indenture shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary’s guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness substantially to the same extent as the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee are subordinated to such Indebtedness; and

(b) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee until payment in full of Obligations under this Indenture;

provided that this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case, such Subsidiary shall only be required to comply with the 30-day period described in clause (a) above.

Section 4.16. Activities Prior to the Escrow Release Date.

(a) Prior to the earlier of the Escrow Release Date or the Escrow Termination Date, the Escrow Issuer’s primary activities will be restricted to issuing the Notes, borrowings under the New Credit Facilities, issuing a subordinated note to DBI representing an amount equal to the amount of cash and/or Cash Equivalents received by the Escrow Issuer from DBI on the Issue Date (the “Subordinated Note”), performing its obligations in respect of the Notes under this Indenture, the New Credit Facilities, the Escrow Agreement and the New Credit Facilities Escrow Agreement, consummating the Recapitalization and redeeming the Notes pursuant to Section 3.08 hereof, if applicable, and conducting such other activities and transactions in connection with, or as are necessary or appropriate to carry out, the activities described above. Prior to the earlier of the Escrow Release Date or the Escrow Termination Date, the Escrow Issuer will not own, hold or otherwise have any interest in any assets other than the Escrow Account and cash and Cash Equivalents.

(b) Prior to the earlier of the Escrow Release Date or the Escrow Termination Date, the Escrow Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not engage in any activity or enter into any transaction or agreement (including, without limitation, making any Restricted Payment, incurring any Indebtedness or other obligation, incurring any Liens (except in favor of the Holders of the Notes or the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee and in favor of the collateral agent under the New Credit Facilities), entering into any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or engaging in any transaction with its Affiliates) except for the activities, transactions and agreements in the ordinary course of business or necessary to effectuate the Transactions substantially in accordance with the description of the Transactions set forth in the Offering Memorandum, together with such modifications or alterations that are not, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to DBI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions), or to the Holders.

 

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(c) If the Escrow Release Date occurs, any activity engaged in or transaction or agreement entered into by DBI or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the period from and including the Issue Date and ending on the Escrow Release Date (the “Escrow Period”), which would have been subject to Section 3.09 hereof and Article 4 hereof had DBI and the Restricted Subsidiaries been party to this Indenture during the Escrow Period shall be deemed to have occurred on the Issue Date as if all such covenants had been applicable to DBI and the Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date and all calculations made under this Indenture shall be made as if such covenants had been applicable to DBI and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date; provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any activity engaged in or transaction or agreement entered into by DBI or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Escrow Period that are required to be performed by them pursuant to, or necessary to fulfill their obligations under, the indenture governing the ABS Notes and all documentation related thereto and the issuance of the Notes shall be permitted and shall not be the basis for any Default hereunder.

Section 4.17. Covenant Suspension.

(a) If following the first day, (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Ratings Agencies; and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the covenants (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”) described under:

(i) Section 3.09;

(ii) Section 4.07;

(iii) Section 4.08;

(iv) Section 4.09;

(i) Section 4.10;

(v) Section 4.11;

(ii) Section 4.14; and

(vi) Section 5.01(a)(iv).

(b) If at any time the Notes’ credit rating is downgraded from an Investment Grade Rating by any Rating Agency or if a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then the Suspended Covenants will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended (the “Reinstatement Date”) and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms hereof), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Rating and no Default or Event of Default is in existence (in which event the Suspended Covenants shall no longer be in effect for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Rating and no Default or Event of Default is in existence); provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period (as defined below), or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reinstatement Date, regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenants remained in effect during such period. The period of time between the date of suspension of the covenants and the Reinstatement Date is referred to as the “Suspension Period.

(c) On the Reinstatement Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof or one of the clauses set forth in Section 4.09(b) hereof (to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be incurred thereunder as of the Reinstatement Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reinstatement Date). To the extent such Indebtedness would not be so permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) or

 

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Section 4.09(b) hereof, such Indebtedness will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (iii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof. Calculations made after the Reinstatement Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof will be made as though the covenants described under Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a) hereof.

(d) During any period when the Suspended Covenants are suspended, the board of directors of the Issuer may not designate any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this Indenture.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuer may not consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, merger or amalgamation (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(ii) the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer hereunder and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

(A) the Successor Company or the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or

(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(v) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(i)(B) shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(vi) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. The foregoing

 

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clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of Section 5.01(a) hereof shall not apply to the Issuer Merger and the Recapitalization. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,

(i) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary,

(ii) the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, and

(iii) the Issuer may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Issuer in any state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby; provided that in the case where the Issuer is reorganized as a Person that is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation.

(c) In addition, the Issuer will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture;

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof or is not subject to Section 4.10; or

(iii) such property or assets constitute Equity Interests of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, which Equity Interests are sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

(d) Subject to the provisions of this Indenture, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture, such Guarantor’s Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) merge into or with or wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

(e) For purposes of this Section 5.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer, which

 

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properties and assets, if held by the Issuer instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

(f) The predecessor company will be released from its obligations under this Indenture and the Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

Section 5.02. Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default.

(a) An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events:

(i) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(ii) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Notes;

(iii) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(iv) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect

 

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to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $40.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(v) failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal period end provided as required under Section 4.03) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $40.0 million other than any judgments covered by indemnities provided by, or insurance policies issued by, reputable and creditworthy companies, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(vi) the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(C) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(vii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary)(in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof), in a proceeding in which the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof), or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(viii) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or group of Subsidiaries that together (determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal period end provided as required under Section 4.03) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal period end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its or their Guarantee(s) or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (iv) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose:

(i) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged;

(ii) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(iii) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.02. Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than of a type specified in clause (vi) and clause (vii) of Section 6.01(a)) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee (acting at the direction of the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes) shall or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) and clause (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if a committee of its trust officers determines that withholding notice is in the Holders’ 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 and its consequences under this Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) and rescind any acceleration and its consequences with respect to the Notes, provided such rescission would not conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer; provided that any waiver or rescission under this Section 6.04 shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy

 

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of such notice to the Issuer) may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(b) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) Holders of the Notes have offered and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(e) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal, if applicable, and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or

 

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remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective agents and counsel any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Indenture Administrator and Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13. Priorities. If the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee, their respective agents and counsel, or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

(a) to the Indenture Administrator, Trustee, their respective agents and counsel, or such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Indenture Administrator, Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(b) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(c) to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee (or the Indenture Administrator on its behalf) may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.

Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its

 

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discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

INDENTURE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) The Trustee, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, and the Indenture Administrator:

(i) need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith, willful misconduct or negligence on its part, may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee may be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (a) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer thereof, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Indenture Administrator or to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee shall be segregated from other funds as directed in writing by the Issuer or as required by law and shall be invested by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, pursuant to the written instructions of the Issuer reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator or Trustee, as applicable.

 

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Section 7.02. Rights of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee.

(a) Subject to Section 7.01, each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee need investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. If however, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled during normal business hours of the Issuer to examine the relevant books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney upon reasonable prior notice.

(b) Before the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. No such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel shall be at the expense of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee.

(c) Any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer’s Order, and any resolution of the board of directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a board resolution.

(d) Each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(e) Each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may act through agents or attorneys, and neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(f) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be liable for any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(g) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee (except with respect to Section 6.01 shall have any duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer with respect to the covenants contained in Article IV. In addition, neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be deemed to have knowledge of a Default or Event of Default, except (i) with respect to the Indenture Administrator any Default or Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(i) or Section 6.01(a)(ii) (the Indenture Administrator agrees to promptly notify the Trustee of such a Default or Event of Default upon a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Administrator acquiring actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default) or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall have received written notification or obtained actual knowledge. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may, in the absence of such actual knowledge or receipt of such written notification, conclusively assume that there is no Default or Event of Default. Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Indenture Administrator or to the Trustee under Article IV (other than Section 4.04) is for informational purposes only and the receipt by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which each of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee is entitled to rely on Officer’s Certificates).

(h) Subject to Section 7.01(a), neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture unless such Holders shall have offered to the Indenture Administrator or to the Trustee, as applicable, security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, against any loss, costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) The Indenture Administrator or the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superceded.

(k) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability for the performance of any of its duties hereunder or the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or reasonably adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(l) Neither the Indenture Trustee nor the Indenture Administrator shall have any duty (i) to see to any recording, filing or depositing of this Indenture or any Indenture referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof or (ii) to see to any insurance.

(m) In the event the Issuer is required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuer will provide written notice to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of the Issuer’s obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuer. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable to the amount thereof.

(n) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Indenture Administrator or to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and receipt by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(o) The rights of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty, and neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be answerable other than for its negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such act.

(p) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the powers granted hereunder.

(q) Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service, accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions (it being understood that the Indenture Trustee and the Indenture Administrator shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances).

(r) In accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Indenture Administrator will obtain, verify, and record information that identifies individuals or entities that establish a relationship or open an account with the Indenture Administrator. The Indenture Administrator will ask for the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow the Indenture Administrator to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or

 

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opening the account. The Indenture Administrator may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation, an offering memorandum, or other identifying documents to be provided.

(s) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any and all communications (both text and attachments) by or from the Indenture Administrator that the Indenture Administrator in its sole discretion deems to contain confidential, proprietary, and/or sensitive information and sent by electronic mail will be encrypted. The recipient of the email communication will be required to complete a one-time registration process. Information and assistance on registering and using the email encryption technology can be found at the Indenture Administrator’s secure website www.citigroup.com/citigroup/citizen/privacy/email.htm or by calling (866)  ###-###-#### (in the U.S.) or (904)  ###-###-#### at any time.

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates with the same rights the Trustee would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign. The Indenture Administrator and any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee, however, is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04. Disclaimer of the Indenture Administrator and Trustee. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent (other than, with respect to the Indenture Administrator, the Indenture Administrator), and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than, with respect to the Indenture Administrator, its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing as to which the Trustee has received notice pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, or as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge, then the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after receipt of such notice or after acquiring such knowledge, as applicable, unless such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default or an Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each November 1st, beginning November 1, 2011, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of the listing or delisting of the Notes on or from any stock exchange.

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee from time to time such compensation for their services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee’s compensation shall be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them pursuant to,

 

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and in accordance with, any provision hereof. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, and out-of-pocket expenses of the agents and counsel of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee.

The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee harmless against any and all loss, liability damage, claim, or expense (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and taxes other than those based upon the income of the Indenture Administrator or Trustee) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by the Issuer, any Holder, any Guarantor, or any other Person, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Issuer need not pay any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnification. Failure by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer or such Guarantor shall defend, the claim and the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Neither the Issuer nor any of the Guarantors need reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Indenture Administrator or by the Trustee through the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, in no event shall the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee be liable for special, indirect or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever( including, without limitation, lost-profits), even if the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, has been advised of the likelihood of such losses or damages and regardless of the form of action.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, except money or property held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The indemnity obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee provided for in this Section 7.07 shall survive any resignation or removal of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable.

When the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(vi) or Section 6.01(a)(vii) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Indenture Administrator or the Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee and appointment of a successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee shall become effective only upon such successor’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. Each of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuer in writing 30 Business Days prior to such resignation. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may remove the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee by so notifying the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, and the Issuer in writing and may appoint a successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee with the Issuer’s consent. The Issuer may remove the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee if:

(a) the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, fails to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 7.10 hereof or the Trustee fails to comply with the Trust Indenture Act Section 310;

 

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(b) the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Indenture Administrator or Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, or its property; or

(d) the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, becomes incapable of acting.

If the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Indenture Administrator or Trustee, as the case may be. Within one year after the successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable to replace the successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, appointed by the Issuer.

If a successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Indenture Administrator or retiring Trustee, as applicable, resigns or is removed, the retiring Indenture Administrator or retiring Trustee, as applicable (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Indenture Administrator or a successor Trustee, as applicable.

If the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, the Issuer or such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable and the appointment of a successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable.

Each successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Indenture Administrator or retiring Trustee, as applicable, and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Indenture Administrator or the retiring Trustee, as applicable, shall become effective, and the successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, under this Indenture. The successor Indenture Administrator or the successor Trustee, as applicable, shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Indenture Administrator or the retiring Trustee, as applicable, shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Indenture Administrator or as Trustee, as applicable, to the successor Indenture Administrator or successor Trustee, as applicable, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding the replacement of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Indenture Administrator or retiring Trustee, as applicable.

Section 7.09. Successor Indenture Administrator or Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Indenture Administrator or Trustee, as applicable, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible hereunder.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Indenture Administrator and a Trustee hereunder, each of which (a) is an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof, (b) is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, (c) is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and (d) has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b). Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of the Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b). This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).

 

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Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes), and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same) and to have cured all then existing Events of Default, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator, and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Indenture.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.14, 4.15, and 4.16 hereof and clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) and Article 13 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other

 

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provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(a)(iii) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(a)(iv), 6.01(a)(v), 6.01(a)(vi) (solely with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), 6.01(a)(vii) (solely with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) and 6.01(a)(viii) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(ii) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the New Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which, the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions

 

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following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(g) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(h) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with

Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through the Indenture Administrator or any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee, the Indenture Administrator or Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06. Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof until such time as the Indenture Administrator, Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Indenture Administrator, Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or this Indenture to which it is a party), the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(d) to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders in a transaction that complies with this Indenture;

(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(f) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor trustee or indenture administrator hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;

(i) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(j) to effect the Assumption;

(k) to add a Guarantor under this Indenture or release a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(l) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of notes” section of the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes;

(m) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes; or

(n) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee each shall have the right, but not be obligated to,

 

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enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor after the Escrow Release Date under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(a) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (other than provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof or notice periods (to the extent consistent with applicable requirements of clearing and settlement systems) and conditions to redemption);

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(d) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(g) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(h) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(i) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(j) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary (or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal period end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), in any manner adverse to the Holders.

 

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Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Indenture Administrator and Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Indenture Administrator’s or the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable, may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies in all material respects with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Indenture Administrator may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Indenture Administrator shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06. Indenture Administrator and Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with

 

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the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Opinion of Counsel shall not be required for the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee to execute the supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, adding DBI and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto on the Escrow Release Date and any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit E hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01. Guarantee. Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Administrator and to the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Issuer hereunder or under the Notes). Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder, the Indenture Administrator, or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid to the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an

 

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assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law or being void or voidable under any law relating to insolvency of debtors.

Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its authorized Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Indenture Administrator authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Indenture Administrator, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04. Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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Section 10.05. Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06. Release of Guarantees. Each Guarantee by a Guarantor shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, which sale, exchange, disposition or transfer in each case is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the New Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee, including a release subject to a contingent reinstatement (provided that if any such guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof);

(iii) the proper designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

(iv) the Issuer exercising its Legal Defeasance option and Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(b) such Guarantor delivering to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation; or

(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator for the giving of notice of redemption by the Indenture Administrator in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Indenture Administrator as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Indenture Administrator for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred

 

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and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the New Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(i) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(ii) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Indenture Administrator to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee and the Indenture Administrator stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied (other than in the case of a redemption of the Notes in full under Section 3.08 hereof).

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Indenture Administrator pursuant to subclause (i) of clause (b) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Indenture Administrator pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Indenture Administrator may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Indenture Administrator; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Indenture Administrator or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Indenture Administrator or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 12.02. Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

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If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

c/o Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

1100 N. Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Facsimile: (302)  ###-###-####

Attention: Corporate Capital Markets Services – Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

If to the Indenture Administrator:

Citibank, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor

New York, New York 10013

Facsimile: (212)  ###-###-####

Attention: Global Transaction Services – Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

The Issuer, any Guarantor, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Indenture Administrator or to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and, subject to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, on the final date on which publication is made, if given by publication.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

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If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Indenture Administrator or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

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Section 12.08. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE INDENTURE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE TRUSTEE (1) AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES AND (2)HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.10. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 12.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.12. Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 hereof.

Section 12.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.14. Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.

Section 12.15. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.16. Qualification of Indenture. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall be provided with such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may request and as is necessary in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

DUNKIN’ FINANCE CORP.
By:  

/s/ Anita Balaji

  Name:   Anita Balaji
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature page to Indenture


WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Geoffrey J. Lewis

  Name:   Geoffrey J. Lewis
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
  Date:   November 23, 2010

 

Signature page to Indenture


CITIBANK, N.A., as Indenture Administrator
By:  

/s/ Kristen Driscol

  Name:   Kristen Driscoll
  Title:   Vice President
  Date:   November, 23, 2010

 

Signature page to Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert ERISA Legend]

 

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CUSIP   [—] [—]
ISIN   [—] [—]

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S][IAI][GLOBAL] NOTE

representing up to

$[            ]

9.625% Senior Note due 2018

 

No.     

  [$            ]

Dunkin’ Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                      or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of                      United States Dollars] on December 1, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2011

Record Dates: May 15 and November 15

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

DUNKIN’ FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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  This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Indenture Administrator
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
  Date:

 

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[Back of Note]

9.625% Senior Note due 2018

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. Interest. Dunkin’ Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 9.625% from November 23, 2010 until maturity and to pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning June 1, 2011, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including November 23, 2010. The Issuer will 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 the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled 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. Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Issuer, payment may be made by the Indenture Administrator by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account is specified, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest may be made by check mailed to Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. 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. Until otherwise designated by the Issuer, the Issuer’s office or agency will be the office of the Indenture Administrator maintained for such purpose.

3. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. Initially, Citibank, N.A., the Indenture Administrator under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Dunkin’ Finance Corp., the Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. 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 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act 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.

5. Optional Redemption.

(a) The Issuer may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the

 

A-5


Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed on or after any of the dates indicated below until the subsequent date indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

November 23, 2010

     100.50

December 1, 2011

     102.50

December 1, 2012

     102.00

December 1, 2013 and thereafter

     100.00

(b) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through Section 3.06 of the Indenture. Notice of any redemption whether in connection with an Equity Offering or otherwise may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, completion of an Equity Offering (in the case of an Equity Offering), other offering or other corporate transaction or event.

(c) The Indenture Administrator shall select the Notes to be redeemed in the manner described under Section 3.02 of the Indenture.

6. Mandatory Redemption.

(a) All of the Notes then outstanding will be redeemed on the Special Redemption Date (as defined below) at a redemption price equal to 98.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued on the Issue Date plus accrued interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the Special Redemption Date if:

(i) irrevocable notice for the redemption of all of the outstanding ABS Notes has not been given under the indenture governing the ABS Notes on or prior to December 17, 2010,

(ii) the closing documents required to be escrowed under the Documentation Escrow Agreement (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) have not been deposited with the documentation escrow agent under the Documentation Escrow Agreement on or prior to December 17, 2010, or

(iii) the Escrow Issuer notifies the Escrow Agent in writing that it will not pursue the consummation of the Recapitalization on or prior to December 21, 2010

(the date of any such occurrence, the “Escrow Termination Date”).

If the Escrow Termination Date occurs, then the Notes will be redeemed on the first Business Day after release of the escrowed funds by the Escrow Agent to the Indenture Administrator (the “Special Redemption Date”), without the requirement of notice to the Trustee, the Indenture Administrator, any Holder or any other Person. The foregoing provisions will cease to apply if the Escrow Termination Date has not occurred on or prior to December 21, 2010.

(b) Except as described in Section 3.08(a) hereof, the Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. No Notes of less than $2,000 can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire amount of

 

A-6


Notes held by such Holder even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000 or an integral multiple thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption.

8. Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Indenture Administrator may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer 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, neither the Issuer nor the Registrar shall be required to exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration” may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate 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 notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer, provided that any waiver or rescission under Section 6.04 of the Indenture shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuer) may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). The Issuer is required to deliver to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required within ten Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

13. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Indenture Administrator.

14. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

 

A-7


15. Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

16. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN 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.

 

A-8


The Issuer will 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 the Issuer at the following address:

If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

c/o Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

  
   (Insert assignee’s legal name)   

 

 

(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 Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:

 

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

[    ] Section 4.10    [    ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 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)

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $            . 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 or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
     Amount of increase
in Principal Amount
of this Global Note
     Principal Amount of
this Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
     Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Custodian
 
           
           
           

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

c/o Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

Citibank, N.A.

111 Wall Street, 15th Floor Window

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Window

 

  Re: 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Dunkin’ Finance Corp., the Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                     , having an address at                      (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the

 

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United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or

(d) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to an IAI and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to book-entry interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Note and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit F to the Indenture. If requested by the Issuer or the Registrar, the Transferor shall deliver an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar in connection with the Transfer.

4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the

 

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restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. A beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any statements of beneficial interest required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B), except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:             ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:             ]), or

 

  (iii) [    ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note ([CUSIP:             ]), or

 

  (b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:             ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:             ])or

 

  (iii) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note ([         ] [         ]); or

 

  (iv) [    ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note ([CUSIP:             ]), or

 

  (b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

c/o Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

Citibank, N.A.

111 Wall Street, 15th Floor Window

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Window

 

  Re: 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Dunkin’ Finance Corp., the Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , having an address at                                          (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the

 

C-1


Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY THE SUCCESSOR ISSUER AND

GUARANTORS ON THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (the “Supplemental Indenture”), entered into as of December 3, 2010, among Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Successor Issuer”), each of the Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto, (each a “Supplemental Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Supplemental Guarantors”), Citibank, N.A., as indenture administrator (the “Indenture Administrator”) and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Dunkin’ Finance Corp. (the “Escrow Issuer”) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee that certain Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2010 (the “Indenture”), relating to the 9.625% senior notes of the Company due 2018 in aggregate principal amount of $625,000,000 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Successor Issuer will assume all of the Escrow Issuer’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof the Escrow Issuer is merging with and into the Successor Issuer, with the Successor Issuer being the surviving person of such merger (the “Merger”); and

WHEREAS, each Supplemental Guarantor is to become a Guarantor under the Indenture.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Effective upon the execution hereof, the Successor Issuer, in accordance with Article 5 of the Indenture, expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes.

Section 2. Effective upon the execution hereof, each Supplemental Guarantor shall be a Guarantor under the Indenture and be bound by the terms thereof applicable to “Guarantors” (as defined in the Indenture), including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.

Section 3. This Supplemental Indenture is an amendment supplemental to the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture will henceforth be read together.

Section 4. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Supplemental Guarantor. In entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee shall each be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct of or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee.

 

D-1


Section 5. All agreements of the Supplemental Guarantors in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns.

Section 6. This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 7. This Supplemental Indenture may be signed in various counterparts, which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

DUNKIN’ BRANDS, INC.

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

[SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTORS]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

CITIBANK, N.A., as Indenture Administrator

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-3


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), Citibank, N.A., as indenture administrator (the “Indenture Administrator”) and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Dunkin’ Finance Corp. has heretofore executed and delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of November 23, 2010, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018;

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Indenture Administrator and to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all other Guarantors named in the Indenture (including pursuant to any supplemental indentures), to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Administrator and to the Indenture Administrator, the Trustee and their respective successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

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(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer or any other Guarantor, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

(c) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby waives: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations applicable to a Guarantor under the Indenture, including Article 10 of the Indenture (which is deemed incorporated in this Supplemental Indenture and applicable to this Guarantee). The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that by executing this Supplemental Indenture, it will become a Guarantor under the Indenture and subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Guarantors contained therein.

(e) If any Holder, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid to the Indenture Administrator, Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or

 

E-2


otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and such Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments as necessary;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture or is not subject to Section 4.10; or

(iii) property or assets constitute Equity Interests of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, which Equity Interests are sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guaranteeing Subsidiary or the Issuer.

(5) Releases. The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuer, the Indenture Administrator or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, after which the applicable Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor which sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guaranteeing Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the New Credit Facilities, or such other guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee , including a release subject to a contingent reinstatement (provided that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guaranteeing Subsidiary would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 in the Indenture);

(iii) the proper designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or

(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Indenture Administrator and the Trustee. Neither the Indenture Administrator nor the Trustee shall be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary. In entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee

 

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shall each be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct of or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee.

(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Indenture Administrator and the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

CITIBANK, N.A., as Indenture Administrator

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR]

c/o Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

130 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Facsimile: 781 ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

Citibank, N.A.

111 Wall Street, 15th Floor Window

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Window

 

  Re: 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[            ] principal amount of the 9.625% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) of Dunkin’ Finance Corp. (the “Issuer”).

In connection with the proposed transfer of Notes, the undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $250,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of our investment in the Notes and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) to the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof, (b) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act (a “QIB”) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a

 

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minimum principal amount of Notes of $250,000 for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale shall not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuer and the Registrar, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuer and the Registrar reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clauses (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar.

3. We [are][are not] an Affiliate of the Issuer.

 

TRANSFEREE:

 

 

 

BY:

 

 

 

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