Description of Registrants Securities
Exhibit 4.3
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
The following description of our Class A common stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws, each of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.
General
The total amount of our authorized capital stock consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 70,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of us unless such takeover or change in control is approved by our board of directors. These provisions include a classified board of directors, elimination of stockholder action by written consents (except in limited circumstances), elimination of the ability of stockholders to call special meetings (except in limited circumstances), advance notice procedures for stockholder proposals and supermajority vote requirements for amendments to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws.
Registration Rights
Certain holders of our Class A common stock (and other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our Class A common stock) are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These registration rights are contained in our registration rights agreement and are described in additional detail below. We have entered into such registration rights agreement with certain holders of common units in The Habit Restaurants, LLC (the “LLC Units”) pursuant to which we have granted them, their affiliates and certain of their transferees the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, to require us to register under the Securities Act shares of Class A common stock delivered upon exchange of LLC Units held by them (and other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our Class A common stock). We will pay the registration expenses (other than underwriting discounts, selling commissions or any other brokerage or underwriting fees and expenses) of the holders of the shares registered pursuant to the registrations described below.
KarpReilly, LLC (“KarpReilly”) and its affiliates are entitled to certain demand registration rights. KarpReilly and its affiliates can request that we register the offer and sale of their shares. Such request for registration must cover securities the anticipated aggregate offering price of which, net of registration expenses, is at least $10 million ($25 million in the case of an underwritten offering). If from the time of any request through the date when such registration becomes effective, we engaged or have firm plans to engage within 90 days of such request in a registered public offering, then we may, at our option, decline such request.
If we propose to register, or receive a demand to register, the offer and sale of any of our securities under the Securities Act, in connection with the public offering of such securities, each party to the registration rights agreement is entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing the holders to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. Upon the written request of any party to the registration rights agreement given after we provide notice of registration, we must use reasonable efforts to cause all such parties’ requested registrable shares to be registered. If we register a “piggyback” offering, our Board shall have the right to designate the managing underwriter. Each “piggyback” offering may have a maximum offering size, to be determined by the managing underwriter, so as the aggregate number of shares do not have a material adverse effect on the offering, and in such case, each party entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights would have his, her or its registrable shares included in the offering reduced on a pro rata basis.
The registration rights agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of any person who is or might be deemed a controlling person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and related parties against liabilities under the Securities Act incurred in connection with the registration of any of our debt or equity securities. These provisions provide indemnification against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and certain liabilities resulting from violations of other applicable laws in connection with any filing or other disclosure made by us under the securities laws relating to any such registrations. We have agreed to reimburse such persons for any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such liability, action or proceeding, except that we are not required to indemnify any such person or reimburse related legal or other expenses if such loss or expense arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information provided by such person.
Common Stock
Dividend Rights. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, holders of outstanding shares of Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the times and in the amounts as the board of directors may from time to time determine.
Voting Rights. Holders of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock have voting power over The Habit Restaurants, Inc., the sole managing member of The Habit Restaurants, LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, each share of Class A common stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of Class A common stock are entitled to vote. Each holder of Class B common stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the total number of LLC Units held by such holder multiplied by the exchange rate specified in the LLC Agreement with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to vote. Accordingly, the holders of LLC Units collectively have a number of votes that is equal to the aggregate number of LLC Units that they hold. Subject to any rights that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, our Class A and Class B common stock vote as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated by-laws or required by applicable law. Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Except in respect of matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated by-laws, or as required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.
Preemptive Rights. Our Class A common stock is not entitled to preemptive or other similar subscription rights to purchase any of our securities.
Conversion or Redemption Rights. Our Class A common stock is not convertible or redeemable.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, the holders of our Class A common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our assets which are legally available for distribution, after payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any holders of preferred stock then outstanding.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors may, without further action by our stockholders, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the Class A common stock. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our Class A common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of our liquidation before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our Class A common stock. Under certain circumstances, the
issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, our board of directors, without stockholder approval, may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of our Class A common stock and the market value of our Class A common stock.
Anti-Takeover Effects of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of the company unless such takeover or change in control is approved by the board of directors.
These provisions include:
Classified Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors are elected each year. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors is to be fixed exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by our board of directors.
Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, from and after the first date on which our sponsor and its affiliates cease to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors or, until the date that our sponsor and its affiliates cease to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares, at the request of holders of 50% or more of our outstanding shares. Except as described above, stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require the board of directors to call a special meeting.
Removal of Directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock, voting together as a single class. Due to this supermajority vote requirement, a minority of our stockholders may be able to prevent a change in the composition of our board.
Advance Notice Procedures. Our amended and restated by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting are only be able to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given our Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. Although the by-laws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, the by-laws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the company.
Super Majority Approval Requirements. The Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, unless either a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws requires a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of the total votes eligible to be cast in the election of
directors are required to amend, alter, change or repeal specified provisions once our sponsor and its affiliates cease to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares. Due to this supermajority vote requirement, a minority of our stockholders may be able to exercise veto power over any such amendments.
Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of our Class A common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. We have elected in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an antitakeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are not subject to any anti-takeover effects of Section 203. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that have the same effect as Section 203, except that they provide that our sponsor, certain of its transferees, and its affiliates are not deemed to be “interested stockholders,” regardless of the percentage of our voting stock owned by them, and accordingly are not subject to such restrictions.
Corporate Opportunities
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce any interest or expectancy of the company in the business opportunities of our sponsor and of its officers, directors, agents, shareholders, members, partners, affiliates and subsidiaries and each such party shall not have any obligation to offer us those opportunities unless presented to a director or officer of the company in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the company.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limit the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and provides that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such law. We entered into indemnification agreements with our current directors and executive officers prior to the completion of our initial public offering and expect to enter into a similar agreement with any new directors or executive officers.