ASSETPURCHASE AGREEMENT BY ANDAMONG NEXCENASSET ACQUISITION, LLC, GREATAMERICAN COOKIE COMPANY FRANCHISING, LLC, GREATAMERICAN MANUFACTURING, LLC, NEXCENBRANDS, INC. AND MRS.FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC DATED ASOF JANUARY 29, 2008
Exhibit 10.1
Execution copy
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NEXCEN ASSET ACQUISITION, LLC,
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIE COMPANY FRANCHISING, LLC,
GREAT AMERICAN MANUFACTURING, LLC,
NEXCEN BRANDS, INC.
AND
MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC
DATED AS OF JANUARY 29, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I Definitions and Usage |
| 2 | |
1.1 | Definitions |
| 2 |
1.2 | Usage |
| 28 |
ARTICLE II Purchase and Sale of Businesses and Assets |
| 30 | |
2.1 | Purchase and Sale of Assets |
| 30 |
2.2 | Excluded Assets |
| 30 |
2.3 | Assumed Liabilities |
| 32 |
2.4 | Excluded Liabilities |
| 33 |
ARTICLE III Purchase Price; Payment; Assumption of Obligations |
| 36 | |
3.1 | The Closing |
| 36 |
3.2 | Purchase Price |
| 37 |
3.3 | Payment |
| 40 |
3.4 | Allocation |
| 41 |
3.5 | Nonassignable Contracts |
| 42 |
3.6 | Escrow |
| 43 |
3.7 | Accounts Receivable |
| 45 |
ARTICLE IV Representations and Warranties of the Sellers and MFFB |
| 47 | |
4.1 | Organization and Good Standing |
| 48 |
4.2 | Enforceability; Authority |
| 49 |
4.3 | Consents; Approvals |
| 50 |
4.4 | Financial Statements |
| 51 |
4.5 | Real Property |
| 52 |
4.6 | Title to Assets |
| 59 |
4.7 | Sufficiency of Assets |
| 59 |
4.8 | Accounts Receivable |
| 59 |
4.9 | Insolvency Proceedings |
| 60 |
4.10 | Taxes |
| 60 |
4.11 | Labor Relations; Compliance |
| 62 |
4.12 | Employee Benefits |
| 63 |
4.13 | Litigation; Orders |
| 67 |
4.14 | Compliance With Laws; Permits |
| 68 |
4.15 | Operations of the Sellers |
| 69 |
4.16 | Material Contracts |
| 71 |
4.17 | Insurance |
| 74 |
4.18 | Environmental and Safety Matters |
| 74 |
4.19 | Intellectual Property |
| 76 |
4.20 | Affiliate Transactions |
| 82 |
4.21 | Brokers or Finders Fees |
| 82 |
4.22 | Suppliers |
| 82 |
4.23 | Franchise Matters |
| 83 |
4.24 | Powers of Attorney |
| 96 |
4.25 | Investment |
| 96 |
4.26 | Deferred Revenue Liability |
| 96 |
4.27 | Indenture Payment |
| 96 |
4.28 | Settlement Agreement |
| 97 |
4.29 | Other Contracts |
| 97 |
ARTICLE V Representations and Warranties of Buyer and Parent |
| 97 |
5.1 | Existence and Good Standing; Authorization |
| 98 |
5.2 | Consents and Approvals; No Violations |
| 99 |
5.3 | SEC Documents and Other Reports |
| 100 |
5.4 | Litigation |
| 101 |
5.5 | Brokers or Finders Fees |
| 101 |
5.6 | Parent Shares |
| 101 |
ARTICLE VI Pre-Closing Covenants |
| 102 | |
6.1 | Efforts to Closing |
| 102 |
6.2 | Conduct of the Businesses |
| 103 |
6.3 | Access and Investigation |
| 105 |
6.4 | Business Plan |
| 105 |
6.5 | Exclusivity |
| 106 |
6.6 | Change of Name |
| 107 |
6.7 | Notice of Developments |
| 107 |
6.8 | Continuation of Businesses |
| 108 |
6.9 | Regulatory Filings |
| 109 |
6.10 | Maintenance of Real Property |
| 110 |
6.11 | Leases |
| 110 |
6.12 | Title Insurance |
| 111 |
6.13 | Financing |
| 111 |
6.14 | Employees |
| 111 |
ARTICLE VII Post-Closing Covenants |
| 112 | |
7.1 | Employees |
| 112 |
7.2 | Taxes Related to Purchase of Assets; Tax Cooperation |
| 113 |
7.3 | Nonsolicitation |
| 116 |
7.4 | Further Assurances |
| 118 |
7.5 | Audit |
| 118 |
7.6 | Confidentiality |
| 119 |
7.7 | Solvency |
| 120 |
7.8 | Restrictions on Sale of Parent Shares |
| 120 |
7.9 | Registration |
| 122 |
7.10 | Agreement to Vote |
| 122 |
7.11 | Access to Records |
| 123 |
7.12 | Product Formulation Royalties |
| 123 |
7.13 | Lease Obligations |
| 124 |
7.14 | Intellectual Property |
| 127 |
7.15 | Franchise Business |
| 128 |
7.16 | New Settlement Agreement |
| 128 |
7.17 | Waste Water Filter |
| 128 |
ARTICLE VIII Conditions Precedent to Parents and Buyers Obligation to Close |
| 129 | |
8.1 | Truth of Representations and Warranties |
| 130 |
8.2 | Performance of Agreements |
| 130 |
8.3 | Certificate |
| 130 |
8.4 | No Injunction |
| 130 |
8.5 | Governmental and Other Approvals |
| 131 |
8.6 | Indenture Lien Release |
| 131 |
8.7 | Transition Services |
| 131 |
8.8 | Escrow Agreement |
| 131 |
8.9 | Registration Rights Agreement |
| 131 |
8.10 | Voting Agreement |
| 132 |
ii
8.11 | Deed |
| 132 |
8.12 | No Material Adverse Effect |
| 132 |
8.13 | Financing |
| 132 |
8.14 | Real Property |
| 132 |
8.15 | Title Insurance |
| 132 |
8.16 | Closing Deliverables |
| 133 |
ARTICLE IX Conditions Precedent to the Sellers Obligation to Close |
| 134 | |
9.1 | Truth of Representations and Warranties |
| 134 |
9.2 | Performance of Agreements |
| 135 |
9.3 | Certificate |
| 135 |
9.4 | No Injunction |
| 135 |
9.5 | Governmental and Other Approvals |
| 135 |
9.6 | Escrow Agreement |
| 136 |
9.7 | Registration Rights Agreement |
| 136 |
9.8 | Closing Deliverables |
| 136 |
ARTICLE X Termination |
| 137 | |
10.1 | Right to Terminate |
| 137 |
10.2 | Effect of Termination |
| 138 |
ARTICLE XI Indemnification; Remedies |
| 139 | |
11.1 | Survival |
| 139 |
11.2 | Indemnification by the Sellers and MFFB |
| 140 |
11.3 | Indemnification by Buyer |
| 141 |
11.4 | Limitation on Liability |
| 142 |
11.5 | Other Indemnification Provisions |
| 143 |
11.6 | Procedure for Indemnification |
| 144 |
11.7 | Non-Third Party Claims |
| 147 |
11.8 | Indemnification Payments |
| 147 |
ARTICLE XII Miscellaneous |
| 148 | |
12.1 | Public Disclosure or Communications |
| 148 |
12.2 | Notices |
| 149 |
12.3 | Entire Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest |
| 150 |
12.4 | Bulk Sales Law |
| 151 |
12.5 | Expenses |
| 151 |
12.6 | Waiver and Amendment |
| 152 |
12.7 | Severability |
| 152 |
12.8 | Remedies Cumulative |
| 152 |
12.9 | Counterparts |
| 153 |
12.10 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
| 153 |
12.11 | Specific Performance |
| 154 |
iii
Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules
Annexes |
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| Financial Results of GAC Related Businesses as of November 24, 2007 | Annex A | ||
| Purchase Price Allocation |
| Annex B | |
Exhibits |
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| GACCF and GAM Logos |
| Exhibit A | |
| Form of Transition Services Agreement |
| Exhibit B | |
| Form of Escrow Agreement |
| Exhibit C | |
| Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
| Exhibit D | |
| Form of Voting Agreement |
| Exhibit E | |
| Form of Deed |
| Exhibit F | |
Schedules |
| |||
| Assumed Contracts |
| 1.1A | |
| Deferred Revenue Liability |
| 1.1B | |
| Vendor Agreements |
| 1.1D | |
| Excluded Contracts |
| 2.2(g) | |
| Assumed Liabilities |
| 2.3 | |
| Allocation Schedule |
| 3.4 | |
| Seller Accounts Receivable |
| 3.7 | |
| Consents and Approvals |
| 4.3 | |
| Sellers Material Liabilities and Obligations |
| 4.4(b) | |
| Owned Real Property |
| 4.5(a) | |
| Leased Real Property |
| 4.5(b) | |
| Real Property Permits |
| 4.5(g)(1) | |
| Consents and Real Property Permits |
| 4.5(g)(2) | |
| Sufficiency of Assets |
| 4.7 | |
| Accounts Receivable and Encumbrances |
| 4.8 | |
| Sellers Tax Returns Subject to Audit |
| 4.10 | |
| Labor Relations; Compliance |
| 4.11 | |
| Employee Benefit Plans |
| 4.12 | |
| Litigation Proceedings |
| 4.13(a) | |
| Orders |
| 4.13(b) | |
| Compliance With Laws; Permits |
| 4.14 | |
| Operation of Sellers; Material Adverse Effect |
| 4.15 | |
| Material Contracts |
| 4.16(a) | |
| Breach or Default of Material Contracts |
| 4.16(b) | |
| Affiliated Contracts |
| 4.16(c) | |
| Insurance |
| 4.17 | |
| Environmental and Safety Matters |
| 4.18 | |
| Intellectual Property |
| 4.19(a) | |
| IT Software and Other Licensed Intellectual Property |
| 4.19(b) | |
| Sellers Intellectual Property Rights |
| 4.19(c) | |
| Sellers Intellectual Property Infringements |
| 4.19(d) | |
| Validity of Intellectual Property Rights |
| 4.19(e) | |
| Third Party Intellectual Property Infringements |
| 4.19(f) | |
| Intellectual Property Development and Acquisition |
| 4.19(g) | |
| Intellectual Property Restrictions |
| 4.19(h) | |
| Affiliate Transactions |
| 4.20 | |
| Suppliers |
| 4.22 | |
| Franchise Matters |
| 4.23(a)-(z) | |
iv
| Powers of Attorney | 4.24 |
| Settlement Franchisees | 4.28 |
| Transferred Employees | 6.14 |
| Vendor Allocation Schedule | 7.12 |
| Lease Locations | 7.13(a) |
| Foreign Trademarks | 7.14 |
| Governmental and Other Approvals | 8.5 |
v
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Asset Purchase Agreement (Agreement) is entered into as of January 29, 2008, by and among NexCen Asset Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Buyer), NexCen Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Parent), Great American Cookie Company Franchising, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (GACCF), Great American Manufacturing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (GAM, and with GACCF, each individually, a Seller, and collectively, the Sellers), and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (MFFB).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Sellers are directly engaged in the Businesses;
WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from the Sellers, certain of the assets of the Businesses, and to assume certain liabilities associated therewith, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement so as to permit Buyer to operate the Businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions and Usage
1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1:
Accountant Statement is defined in Section 3.2(c).
Accredited Investor has the meaning set forth in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
Actual Financials is defined in Section 3.2(b).
Acquisition Proposal is defined in Section 6.5.
Acquired Franchise Assets means those Purchased Assets owned or used by MFFB or GACCF in the operation of the GAC Franchise Business.
Acquired Manufacturing Assets means those Purchased Assets owned or used by MFFB or GAM in the operation of the GAC Manufacturing Business.
Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price is defined in Section 3.6(b).
Adjustment is defined in Section 7.8.
Affiliate of any Person means any Person which, directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by that Person, or is under common control with that Person; provided, that, for purposes of Section 7.3(a) only, Affiliates shall be deemed to include only Persons controlled by MFC and not Persons controlling MFC. For the purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meaning, the terms 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 and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
Allocation Schedule is defined in Section 3.4.
Assumed Contracts means all Franchise Agreements (including, without limitation, the right to collect any and all amounts due and payable thereunder that are unpaid to either Seller as of the Closing Date, other than the Seller Accounts Receivable) and, subject to Section 3.5, all other Contracts to which either Seller is a party that relate to the operation of the Businesses and all security deposits relating thereto, all of which are listed on Schedule 1.1A.
Assumed Liabilities is defined in Section 2.3.
Balance Sheet is defined in Section 4.4(a).
Books and Records means all books and records of the Sellers or their Affiliates relating exclusively to and necessary for the operation of the Businesses as they are currently operated, including files, documents, correspondence, cost and pricing information, accounting records, supplier lists and records, operating manuals, operating procedures, marketing research, training materials, training records, maintenance and inspection reports, equipment lists, repair notes and archives, sales and marketing materials, and personnel files and records for the Transferred Employees; provided, that Books and Records will not include any corporate records of the Sellers or their Affiliates.
Brands means the Great American Cookies and Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Company, and all other brands owned or in use by GACCF, together with the logos shown on Exhibit A, each of which are the subject of certain trademark and service mark registrations with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or any other similar Government Authority responsible for trademark or service mark registration.
Business Day means any day other than (a) Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on which banks in New York, New York are permitted or required to be closed.
Businesses means the businesses that relate to the operation of the GAC Franchise Business and the GAC Manufacturing Business, including the use of any of the Purchased Assets in connection with the operation thereof.
Business Plan is defined in Section 6.4.
Buyer Accounts Receivable is defined in Section 3.7(a).
Buyers Closing Documents is defined in Section 9.8.
2
Buyer Indemnified Parties is defined in Section 11.2.
CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq.).
Claim Notice is defined in Section 11.7.
Closing is defined in Section 3.1.
Closing Date means the date on which the Closing actually takes place.
Closing Date Reference Price means $4.23.
Closing Statement is defined in Section 3.2(b).
COBRA means Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Section 4980B of the Code, and any similar applicable Legal Requirement.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Contingent Initial Franchise Fees means, in the aggregate, the Initial Franchise Fees that have been paid pursuant to Section 6.1 of those Franchise Agreements executed by GACCF prior to or on the Closing Date for stores not opened for business on or prior to the Closing Date.
Contingent Initial Franchise Fee Refunds means, in the aggregate any portion of the Contingent Initial Franchise Fees that become due and payable to any Franchisee upon the termination of any Franchise Agreement pursuant to the terms of such Franchise Agreement.
Contract means any contract, license, sublicense, franchise, permit, mortgage, purchase orders, indenture, loan agreement, note, lease, sublease, agreement, obligation, commitment, understanding, instrument or other arrangement or any commitment to enter into any of the foregoing (in each case, whether written or oral).
Core Representations is defined in Section 11.1.
Damages means any loss, liability, claim, damage, expense (including reasonable attorneys fees and costs), whether or not involving a third party claim, provided, however, that other than with respect to Damages payable to a Third Party pursuant to a third party claim, Damages shall not include any special, consequential, punitive or treble damages.
Deed means the Limited Warranty Deed transferring fee title to the Owned Real Property to GAC Manufacturing, LLC, to be dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
Deferred Revenue Cash means cash in an amount equal to the Deferred Revenue Liability.
3
Deferred Revenue Liability means, in the aggregate, the amount of deferred revenue allocated to Franchise Agreements on an itemized basis, that would be required under GAAP to be shown on a balance sheet of each Seller as of the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule 1.1B.
Disclosure Schedule is defined in the first paragraph of Article IV.
Domestic UFOC means the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular of GACCF, as applicable, prepared in accordance with the UFOC Guidelines.
Employee Benefit Plan means any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any other compensation or benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement of any kind (whether written or oral) including any employment, severance, change of control or other similar agreement or arrangement.
Encumbrance Documents is defined in Section 4.5(i).
Encumbrances means any liens, pledges, claims, encumbrances, mortgages, charges, options, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, title retention agreements, easements, encroachments, leases, subleases, covenants, security interests and restrictions and encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever.
Environmental and Safety Requirements means, whenever in effect, all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances, codes and other provisions having the force or effect of law, all judicial and administrative orders and determinations, all contractual obligations and all common law concerning public health and safety, worker health and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment, including, without limitation, all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release, threatened release, control or cleanup of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Substances.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that at any relevant time is or was treated as a single employer with such Person under Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
Escrow Agent means Wilmington Trust Company, in its capacity as the escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement means the Escrow Agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
Executive Knowledge means, with respect to the Sellers and/or MFFB, as the case may be, the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of Stephen Russo and Michael Ward.
4
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Excluded Assets is defined in Section 2.2.
Excluded Liabilities is defined in Section 2.4.
Filter Contract means the contract to be entered into by GAM to replace the waste water filter at its manufacturing facility.
Final Purchase Price means the Initial Purchase Price minus the Purchase Price Deficit Amount, if any.
Financial Statements is defined in Section 4.4(a).
Franchise Agreements means any Contract (and any written or oral amendment or modification thereto) between GACCF or any of its predecessors and a Franchisee pertaining to and evidencing the grant of a Franchise.
Franchisee means a Person who has entered into and as of the Closing Date is a party to a Franchise Agreement with GACCF or any of its predecessors.
Franchise means the grant by GACCF to a Franchisee of the rights to establish and operate a location using the Brands or outlet thereof including subfranchise agreements, master development agreements, area representative agreements, area development agreements, master franchise agreements, development agreements, license agreements, and any other similar agreements, together with all ancillary agreements related thereto.
Franchise Purchase Price means $45,000,000, which is the initial purchase price for the Acquired Franchise Assets.
Franchise Revenue Difference means the difference between the total revenues in the Actual Financials minus the Total Revenues as set forth under the column entitled GAC Franchise Business on Annex A, each calculated in accordance with GAAP.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United States.
GAC means Great American Cookie.
GAC Franchise Business means the licensing of the right to conduct the business of a retail snack, dessert and beverage outlet selling any GACCF Products and other products for off-premises consumption and services specified by GACCF at or from the premises of such outlet (including carts and kiosks).
GAC Manufacturing Business means the GAC dough manufacturing and supply businesses, and any ancillary product supply business.
5
GACCF Accounts Receivable means (a) all trade accounts receivable, franchise royalty accounts receivable and other rights to payment from franchisees and customers of GACCF, (b) all advertising accounts receivable of GACCF related to advertising or marketing funds, (c) all other accounts or notes receivable of GACCF and the full benefit of all security for such accounts or notes, and (d) any claim, remedy or other right related to any of the foregoing.
GACCF Products means products approved or required by GACCF from time to time for sale in the GAC Franchise Business, including, without limitation, specialty snacks and other bakery items, desserts and beverages (such as cookies, brownies, coffee cakes and coffee) and other products approved by GACCF from time to time.
GACCI means Great American Cookie Company, Inc., a Delaware Corporation.
GAM Accounts Receivable means (a) all trade accounts receivable, franchise royalty accounts receivable and other rights to payment from franchisees and customers of GAM, (b) all advertising accounts receivable of GAM related to advertising or marketing funds, (c) all other accounts or notes receivable of GAM and the full benefit of all security for such accounts or notes, and (d) any claim, remedy or other right related to any of the foregoing.
Government Authority means any domestic or foreign national, state, multi-state or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, including any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory or taxing authority thereunder or any judicial authority (or any department, bureau or division thereof).
Government Authorization means any approval, consent, license, permit, waiver, or other authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Government Authority or pursuant to any Legal Requirement.
Hazardous Substance means any hazardous materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise, odor or radiation, or any other material, substance or waste as to which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed pursuant to Environmental and Safety Requirements.
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Improvements is defined in Section 4.5(d).
Indemnification Objection is defined in Section 11.7.
Indemnified Party is defined in Section 11.3.
Indemnifying Party is defined in Section 11.6(a).
Indemnity Escrow Amount means, for each Seller, the number of Parent Shares set forth next to each Sellers name in Column II of Annex B.
6
Indemnity Escrow Release Date is defined in Section 3.6(a).
Indebtedness means (a) indebtedness of either Seller for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind (other than advances due from customers incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), (b) all obligations of either Seller evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of either Seller upon which interest charges are paid, (d) all obligations of either Seller in respect of capitalized leases that, individually, involve an aggregate future liability in excess of $5,000 and obligations of either Seller for the deferred purchase price of goods or services (other than trade payables or accruals incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), (e) all obligations in respect of bankers acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of either Seller, (f) all indebtedness or obligations of the types referred to in the preceding clauses (a) through (e) of any other Person secured by any Encumbrance on any assets of either Seller, even though such Seller has not assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof, (g) all guarantees by either Seller of obligations of the type described in clauses (a) through (f) above of any other Person, and (h) payment obligations in respect of interest under any interest rate swap or other hedge agreement or arrangement entered into by either Seller with respect to any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (g) above.
Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2004, among inter alia, MFFB, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc. and The Bank of New York.
Initial Franchise Fees means, in the aggregate, the nonrecurring initial franchise fees payable pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Franchise Agreements.
Initial Period is defined in Section 7.8.
Initial Purchase Price means the sum of (i) the Franchise Purchase Price plus (ii) the Manufacturing Purchase Price.
Insurance Policies is defined in Section 4.17.
Intellectual Property Rights means all of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (i) patents, patent applications and patent disclosures; (ii) trademarks, service marks, recipes and proprietary food processes (including, without limitation, the Seller Recipes and Processes), trade dress, trade names, product configuration, corporate names, logos and slogans (and all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations of the foregoing) and Internet domain names, Internet websites, and URLs; (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works; (iv) registrations and applications for any of the foregoing; (v) trade secrets and confidential information (including inventions, ideas, formulae, compositions, know-how, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data, financial, business and marketing plans, and customer and supplier lists and related information); (vi) all other intellectual property; and (vii) any goodwill associated with each of the foregoing.
Interim Reports is defined in Section 4.4(a).
7
Inventory means the inventory of GAM, wherever located, including, without limitation, all finished goods, work in process, raw materials, spare parts and all other materials and supplies to be used or intended for use by the GAC Manufacturing Business.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service and, to the extent relevant, the United States Department of the Treasury.
IT Software is defined in Section 4.19(b).
Knowledge means, with respect to the Sellers and/or MFFB, as the case may be, the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of Stephen Russo, Michael Ward, Dale Thompson, Michael Curtis, Steve Passey and Justin Nalder. The terms know and knows and like terms will have correlative meanings.
Leases is defined in Section 4.5(b).
Lease Locations is defined in Section 7.13(a).
Lease Obligation Date is defined in Section 7.13(d).
Leased Real Property is defined in Section 4.5(b).
Legal Requirement means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational or other administrative order, constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common law, regulation, rule, statute or treaty.
Manufacturing Contribution means manufacturing revenues less direct manufacturing expenses, each as calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Manufacturing Contribution Difference means the Manufacturing Contribution in the Actual Financials minus the Manufacturing Contribution as set forth under the column entitled GAC Manufacturing Business on Annex A, each as calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Manufacturing Purchase Price means $48,650,000, which is the initial purchase price for the Acquired Manufacturing Assets.
Marketing Fees means, in the aggregate, the amount of marketing fees collected by GACCF under the Franchise Agreements.
Marketing Fees Balance is defined in Section 4.23(w).
Marketing Fees Cash means cash in an amount equal to the Marketing Fees Balance.
Marketing Fees Reconciliation is defined in Section 4.23(w).
Material Adverse Effect means any change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the
8
assets, business, liabilities, prospects, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Sellers taken as a whole or that prevents or materially impedes, or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, the consummation by the Sellers of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Material Contracts is defined in Section 4.16(a).
MFC means Mrs. Fields Companies, Inc.
MFFB Other Franchise Brands means any of the following brands owned by MFFB or any of its Affiliates as of the date of this Agreement: Mrs. Fields Cookies, Yovana and TCBY, or any other brand (other than the Brands) under which MFFB or any of its Affiliates conducts a franchise business.
Minimum Loss is defined in Section 11.4(a).
Multiemployer Plan has the meaning set forth in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
NASAA means the North American Securities Administrators Association.
New Settlement Agreement means that certain Settlement and Release Agreement dated as of January 29, 2008, by and among Parent, GACCF, MFFB, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc. and certain franchisees of GACCI that are signatories thereto.
Notice of Default means a formal, written notice of default under a Franchise Agreement issued with the approval of the senior management of either Seller. A Notice of Default does not include a notice of operating deficiencies issued by the staff personnel of either Seller contained in a field inspection report or other similar writing.
Order means any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena or verdict entered, issued, made or rendered by any court, administrative agency or other Government Authority or by any arbitrator.
Organizational Documents means with respect to any entity, the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of formation, operating agreement or other governing documents of such entity.
Original Settlement Agreement means collectively those certain Settlement Agreement and Releases dated June 1998, by and among Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc., Capricorn Investors II, L.P., GACCI, Cookies USA, Inc., The Jordan Company and certain franchisees of GACCI.
Other Interim Report is defined in Section 6.3.
Owned Real Property is defined in Section 4.5(a).
Parent SEC Documents is defined in Section 5.3.
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Parent Shares means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.
Permitted Encumbrances means (i) any liens for current Taxes, assessments or governmental charges which are not yet due and payable or (ii) with respect to each Owned Real Property and Improvements on the Leased Real Property (as the case may be): (a) real estate taxes, assessments and other governmental levies, fees or charges imposed with respect to such Real Property which are not due and payable as of Closing, (b) mechanics liens and similar liens for labor, materials or supplies provided with respect to such Real Property incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts which are not due and payable and which shall be paid in full and released at Closing, (c) zoning, building codes and other land use laws regulating the use or occupancy of such Real Property or the activities conducted thereon which are imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Real Property which are not violated by the current use or occupancy of such Real Property or the operation of the Businesses thereon, and (d) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other similar matters of record affecting title to such Real Property which do not or would not materially impair the use or occupancy of such Real Property in the operation of the Businesses conducted thereon.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or a Government Authority.
Personal Property means the equipment, furniture, machinery, computer hardware, motor vehicles and other tangible personal property owned by either Seller and used or intended for use in the Businesses as currently operated.
Prepaid Expenses as of any date means payments made by either Seller or any of their Affiliates with respect to the Businesses or the Purchased Assets, which constitute prepaid expenses in accordance with GAAP.
Proceeding means any action, charge, complaint, material grievance, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative, whether formal or informal, whether public or private) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before (or that could come before), or otherwise involving, any Government Authority or arbitrator.
Product Formulation Royalties means in the aggregate, all of the payments to be paid by the counterparty to any Assumed Contract to either Seller or to MFFB or one of its Affiliates and allocated to either Seller by MFFB or such Affiliate pursuant to any Vendor Agreement.
Purchase Price Deficit Amount is defined in Section 3.2(f).
Purchase Price Deficit Statement is defined in Section 3.2(f).
Purchased Assets means all right, title, and interest in and to all of the assets that are used exclusively or primarily in the Businesses, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal and wherever located and by whomever possessed (other than the Excluded Assets),
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including, without limitation, (i) Personal Property, (ii) Real Property, (iii) Assumed Contracts, (iv) the Marketing Fees Balance (if a positive amount), (v) Government Authorizations, (vi) Intellectual Property Rights, (vii) Inventory, maintenance and operating supplies, (viii) Prepaid Expenses, (ix) Books and Records, (x) the assets of any advertising fund, gift card program, and any brand building fund associated with the Businesses, (xi) all claims, causes of action, choses in action, rights of recovery and rights of set-off of any kind against the Franchisees, (xii) all proceeds actually recovered under insurance policies and, to the extent transferable, all rights of recovery under such insurance policies, (xiii) the Deferred Revenue Cash, (xiv) all of the files of Sellers counsel (in-house and outside counsel) relating to the Franchise Agreements, the Seller UFOCs, the registration, exemption and notice filings made by each Seller and the Intellectual Property Rights of each Seller, (xv) all other properties, assets and rights owned by either Seller as of the Closing Date, or in which either Seller has an interest, and which are not otherwise Excluded Assets, (xvi) an assignment of the license rights of each Seller with respect to the property owned by third parties and used by either Seller under license, (xvii) the rights to obtain and have installed the waste water filter under the Filter Contract, but not the payment obligations thereunder, and (xviii) the Seller Recipes and Processes.
Qualified Plan is defined in Section 4.12(b).
Real Estate Impositions is defined in Section 4.5(k).
Real Property is defined in Section 4.5(c).
Real Property Laws is defined in Section 4.5(f).
Real Property Lease means all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other agreements (written or oral) pursuant to which a Person holds a leasehold or subleasehold estate in, or is granted the right to use or occupy any land, buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interest in real property.
Real Property Permits is defined in Section 4.5(g).
Registration Laws is defined in Section 4.23(i).
Registration Rights Agreement is defined in Section 7.9.
Registration Statement is defined in Section 7.9.
Release Consideration has the meaning set forth in the New Settlement Agreement.
Representative means, with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, accountant, financial advisor, legal counsel or other representative of that Person.
Reviewing Accountant is defined in Section 3.2(c).
SEC Financial Statements is defined in Section 7.5.
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Securities is defined in Section 7.8.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Seller Accounts Receivable is defined in Section 3.7(c).
Seller Benefit Plan is defined in Section 4.12(a).
Seller Indemnified Parties is defined in Section 11.3.
Seller Information means any data and information relating to the Businesses, customers, financial statements, conditions or operations of the Businesses, in each case which is confidential in nature and not generally known to the public.
Seller Recipes and Processes is defined in Section 4.19(l).
Sellers is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Seller UFOC means the Domestic UFOC(s) and all other forms of disclosure documents used by GACCF to offer and sell Franchises in the United States and throughout the world.
Settlement Franchisees means those persons or entities who are franchisee parties to the Original Settlement Agreement.
Statement of Objection is defined in Section 3.2(b).
Straddle Period is defined in Section 7.2(b).
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other Person of which securities or other interests having the power to elect a majority of that corporations or other Persons board of directors or similar governing body, or otherwise having the power to direct the business and policies of that corporation or other Person (other than securities or other interests having such power only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred), are held by such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
Survey means that certain ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey for the Owned Real Property, Job No. 20070272-001, prepared by Abb W. Preston of Preston Land Surveyors dated as of November 9, 2007.
Survival Date is defined in Section 11.1.
Tax means (i) any tax (including, without limitation, any income tax, franchise tax, margin tax, branch profits tax, capital gains tax, alternative or add-on minimum tax, estimated tax, value-added tax, sales tax, use tax, property tax, transfer tax, payroll tax, social security tax or withholding tax, escheat or abandoned property liability), and any related fine, penalty, interest or addition to tax with respect thereto, imposed, assessed or collected by or
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under the authority of any Government Authority or payable pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement relating to the sharing or payment of any such tax and (ii) any transferee, successor or other liability in respect of the taxes of another Person (whether by contract or otherwise).
Tax Return means any return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule, notice, form or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Government Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax.
Termination Date is defined in Section 10.1(b).
Territorial Rights means a protected territory, exclusive territory, covenant not to compete, right of first refusal, option or other similar arrangement granted by either Seller to any Franchisee.
Third Party means a Person that is not a party to this Agreement.
Third Party Claim is defined in Section 11.6(b).
Title Commitment means that certain ALTA Commitment, File No. 10012007, for the Owned Real Property issued by the Title Company dated as of October 23, 2007 or such later date as in effect from time to time.
Title Company means Stewart Title Guaranty Company.
Title Policy is defined in Section 8.15.
Transfer is defined in Section 7.8.
Transfer Taxes is defined in Section 7.2(a).
Transferred Employees is defined in Section 6.14.
Transition Services Agreement means the Transition Services Agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
TTM Period means the period consisting of the trailing twelve (12) months ended November 24, 2007.
UFOC Guidelines means the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular Guidelines published by NASAA as in effect from time to time.
UFOCs means all of the uniform franchise offering circulars used by GACCF since March 16, 2004, in its efforts to comply with the laws pertaining to the offer and sale of the Franchises.
Undertakings has the meaning set forth in the New Settlement Agreement.
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Vendor Agreements means those agreements listed on Schedule 1.1D pursuant to which MFFB or one of its Affiliates (other than Sellers) collects royalties.
Vendor Allocation Schedule is defined in Section 7.12.
Voting Agreement is defined in Section 7.10.
WARN Act means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, and any similar foreign, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
1.2 Usage
(a) Interpretation. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (i) the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa; (ii) reference to any Person includes such Persons successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are not prohibited by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually; (iii) reference to any gender includes each other gender; (iv) reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; (v) reference to any Legal Requirement means such Legal Requirement as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any Legal Requirement means that provision of such Legal Requirement from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other provision; (vi) hereunder, hereof, hereto, and words of similar import shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other provision hereof; (vii) including (and with correlative meaning include) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; (viii) or is used in the inclusive sense of and/or; (ix) with respect to the determination of any period of time, from means from and including and to means to but excluding; and (x) references to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto.
(b) Legal Representation of the Parties. This Agreement was negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation, and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to any construction or interpretation hereof.
ARTICLE II
Purchase and Sale of Businesses and Assets
2.1 Purchase and Sale of Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Seller agrees to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Buyer (as directed by Buyer) as of the Closing Date, and Buyer agrees to purchase and to take (or to cause its designated Affiliate to take) assignment and delivery from the Sellers as of the Closing Date, all of such Sellers right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Assets (other than the Marketing
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Fees Balance, which shall be delivered by the Sellers to the Buyer within five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date), free and clear of all Encumbrances other than the Permitted Encumbrances.
2.2 Excluded Assets. Pursuant to this Agreement, Buyer is not acquiring, and the Sellers shall retain, the following assets, rights and properties (collectively, the Excluded Assets) and, as such, they are not included in the Purchased Assets:
(a) All cash and cash equivalents of the Sellers on hand in the Sellers accounts immediately prior to Closing, other than security deposits related to the Assumed Contracts, and Deferred Revenue Cash.
(b) All Seller Accounts Receivable.
(c) All Contracts that have terminated or expired prior to the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Sellers, except any Franchise Agreements for active franchised locations that are operating under formal or informal, written or verbal, short term extensions pending completion of the renewal process and execution of renewal Franchise Agreements.
(d) All books and records as pertain to the organization, existence or capitalization of the Sellers and any other records or materials relating to the Sellers generally and not involving or relating to the Purchased Assets, other than the Books and Records.
(e) All assets and rights associated with any Seller Benefit Plan, collective bargaining agreements or arrangements, or any Employee Benefit Plan maintained, sponsored, contributed to or required to be contributed to by any Seller or any ERISA Affiliate of any Seller or with respect to which any Seller or any ERISA Affiliate of any Seller has any actual or potential liability.
(f) All rights of the Sellers under this Agreement, any agreement, certificate, instrument or other document executed and delivered by either Seller or Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or any side agreement between either Seller and Buyer entered into on or after the date of this Agreement.
(g) Those Contracts set forth on Schedule 2.2(g).
2.3 Assumed Liabilities. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, Buyer shall assume and agree to pay, discharge and perform when due, the Sellers liabilities and obligations (a) arising under the Assumed Contracts, including the Franchise Agreements, to the extent such liabilities or obligations are incurred after the Closing Date (but specifically excluding any liability or obligation relating to or arising out of such Assumed Contract that exists as a result of (i) any breach of such Assumed Contract occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) any obligation of the Sellers or MFFB to pay any Taxes allocated to the Sellers or MFFB pursuant to Section 7.2(b), (iii) any violation of law, breach of warranty, tort or infringement occurring on or prior to the Closing Date or (iv) any charge, complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim or demand arising on or prior to the Closing Date), (b) arising out of the operation of the Businesses to the extent that
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such liabilities or obligations accrue on or after the Closing Date and are based on conditions resulting from the operation of the Businesses by Buyer following the Closing, (c) with respect to any Contingent Initial Franchise Fee Refunds that become due and payable after the Closing Date, (d) arising from the Deferred Revenue Liability, and (e) other liabilities of a type and amount expressly identified on Schedule 2.3 (collectively, the Assumed Liabilities).
2.4 Excluded Liabilities. Except as and to the extent expressly provided in Section 2.3, Buyer is not agreeing to, and shall not, assume any other liability, obligation, undertaking, expense or agreement of either Seller (or relating to either Seller, either Business or any of the Purchased Assets) of any kind, character or description, whether absolute, known, unknown, accrued, liquidated, unliquidated, contingent, executory or otherwise, and whether arising prior to or following the Closing, and the execution and performance of this Agreement shall not render Buyer liable for any such liability, obligation, undertaking, expense or agreement (all of such liabilities and obligations shall be referred to herein as the Excluded Liabilities). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Excluded Liabilities shall include, and Buyer will not assume or be liable for:
(a) Any liability or obligation with respect to any Excluded Asset, whether arising prior to or after the Closing.
(b) Except as expressly assumed pursuant to Section 2.3(c), any liability, claim or obligation, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the operation of the Businesses or any Purchased Asset prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any Contingent Initial Franchise Fee Refunds that became due and payable on or before the Closing Date and the Marketing Fee Balance (if a negative amount).
(c) Any liability or obligation arising out of or related to any Contract that is not an Assumed Contract.
(d) Except as provided in Section 7.13, any liability or obligation arising out of, or related to, any Lease Location, whether arising prior to or after the Closing.
(e) Any liabilities or obligations of the Sellers for expenses or fees incident to or arising out of the negotiation, preparation, approval or authorization of this Agreement or the consummation (or preparation for the consummation) of the transactions contemplated hereby (including all attorneys and accountants fees, and brokerage fees).
(f) Any liability or obligation for any Taxes other than (i) Taxes on the Purchased Assets payable with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after the Closing Date, (ii) Transfer Taxes for which Buyer is liable pursuant to Section 7.2(a) of this Agreement, and (iii) the portion of the Taxes on the Purchased Assets payable for a Straddle Period for which Buyer is liable pursuant to Sections 7.2(b) and (c) of this Agreement.
(g) Any liability or obligation to any current or former employee, officer, director or contractor of either Seller, or any Affiliate of any Seller who provides or provided services to either Seller or any Affiliate thereof (other than any liability or obligation arising after the Closing to any employee hired by Buyer and related solely to the Buyers employment of such employee), including any liability or obligation arising out of, relating to or incurred in
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connection with the employment or service by, or termination from employment or service with, either Seller or any Affiliate of any Seller, including any liabilities or obligations pertaining to any salary or wages, vacation pay, bonuses or any other type of compensation or benefits.
(h) Any duty, obligation or liability arising at any time under or relating to any Seller Benefit Plan or any other Employee Benefit Plan at any time maintained, sponsored or contributed or required to be contributed to by either Seller or any Affiliate or ERISA Affiliate of either Seller or with respect to which either Seller or any Affiliate or ERISA Affiliate of either Seller has any current or potential liability or obligation.
(i) Any liability or obligation (contingent or otherwise) arising out of or relating to any Environmental and Safety Requirements, except to the extent based on conditions resulting from Buyers operation of the Businesses following the Closing.
(j) Any liability or obligation arising out of any violation by GACCF of any Legal Requirement applicable to the offer and sale of the Franchises.
(k) Any liability or obligation arising out of any violation by GACCF of any Legal Requirement applicable to the relationship between GACCF and the Franchisees under the Franchise Agreements.
(l) Any liability or obligation arising out of any violation by either Seller or its affiliates of any Legal Requirement applicable to the relationship between such Seller and any vendors who provide goods or services to the Franchisees.
(m) Any liability or obligation arising out of any infringement or other unlawful use by either Seller or any Person acting under a Sellers direction or control of any Intellectual Property Rights owned or held by any Person.
(n) Any liability or obligation of either Seller arising out of any litigation, proceeding, or claim by any Person relating to the Businesses as conducted prior to the Closing Date, whether or not such litigation, proceeding, or claim is pending, threatened, or asserted before, on, or after the Closing Date or has been disclosed by either Seller to Buyer.
(o) All obligations to make payments to the vendor under the Filter Contract.
ARTICLE III
Purchase Price; Payment; Assumption of Obligations
3.1 The Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the Closing) will take place at a location, date and time mutually agreed upon by the parties. The effective time of the Closing shall be deemed to be 12:01AM on the Closing Date.
3.2 Purchase Price.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Sellers contained herein, and in
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payment and consideration for the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer and delivery of the Purchased Assets by the Sellers to Buyer, Buyer or Parent shall pay the Initial Purchase Price as hereinafter provided. Annex A has been prepared in good faith by MFFB management; provided, however, that Buyers belief that Annex A is reasonable when given (and Buyers payment of the Initial Purchase Price) shall not foreclose, prevent, limit or preclude any rights or remedy of Buyer set forth herein.
(b) On or before sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, the Sellers shall prepare and deliver to Buyer a statement (the Closing Statement) setting forth the audited revenues and expenses related to the GAC Franchise Business and audited revenues and expenses related to the GAC Manufacturing Business for the TTM Period, in each case reflected in the Sellers audited financial statements (the Actual Financials), together with a letter from the chief accounting officer of MFFB certifying that the amounts set forth in the Closing Statement are accurate. The Actual Financials, as calculated by the Sellers, shall be final and binding on the parties hereto unless Buyer delivers to the Sellers a reasonably detailed statement describing its objections to the calculation of the Actual Financials (a Statement of Objection) within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the Closing Statement.
(c) If Buyer delivers to the Sellers a timely Statement of Objection, Buyer and the Sellers and their respective independent accountants shall negotiate in good faith and use reasonable best efforts to resolve any dispute. If a final resolution is not reached within thirty (30) days after Buyer has submitted a timely Statement of Objection, any remaining disputes shall be resolved by an independent accounting firm selected jointly by the parties (the Reviewing Accountant). The Reviewing Accountant shall be instructed to limit its review to matters specifically set forth in the Statement of Objection and to resolve any matters in dispute as promptly as practicable, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after such matters have been submitted to them, and to set forth their resolution in a statement (the Accountant Statement) setting forth the Actual Financials. With respect to any disputed matter, the Reviewing Accountant may select Buyers figure, the Sellers figure or any figure between the two. The Reviewing Accountant shall act as an arbitrator to determine only those issues in dispute, based solely on the terms of this Agreement and the presentations by the parties and not by independent review of legal, accounting or factual matters. The Reviewing Accountant shall only consider issues, amounts or matters disputed in a Statement of Objection delivered within the applicable thirty (30) day period. The determination of the Reviewing Accountant shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.
(d) The fees and expenses of the Reviewing Accountant shall be borne by Buyer and the Sellers in inverse proportion as they may prevail on matters resolved by the Reviewing Accountant, and such proportionate allocation shall also be determined by the Reviewing Accountant when their determination is rendered on the merits of the matter submitted. For illustration purposes only: (i) if the total amount of disputed items by the Sellers is $100,000 and the Reviewing Accountant awards the Sellers $50,000, then the Sellers and Buyer shall bear the Reviewing Accountants fees and expenses equally; or (ii) if the total amount of the Sellers disputed items is $100,000 and the Reviewing Accountant awards the Sellers $75,000, then the Sellers shall bear 25% and Buyer shall bear 75% of the Reviewing Accountants fees and expenses.
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(e) The Sellers and Buyer shall cooperate with each other and the Reviewing Accountant in connection with the matters contemplated by this Section 3.2, including the Sellers preparation of and Buyers review of the Closing Statement, in each case including by furnishing such information and access to books, records (including accountants work papers), personnel and properties as may be reasonably requested.
(f) Within three (3) Business Days after the final determination of the Actual Financials in accordance with this Section 3.2, if the Actual Financials differ from the financials on Annex A, then Buyer shall calculate (i) the Franchise Revenue Difference and (ii) the Manufacturing Contribution Difference. If the sum of the Franchise Revenue Difference and the Manufacturing Contribution Difference (the Cumulative Difference) is a negative amount of $100,000 or greater, then Buyer shall deliver a statement to the Sellers (the Purchase Price Deficit Statement) setting forth the Cumulative Difference. If the Cumulative Difference is a negative amount of $100,000 or greater, then upon receipt of the Purchase Price Deficit Statement, the Sellers shall owe to Buyer an amount equal to the Cumulative Difference, multiplied by 8.4 (the Purchase Price Deficit Amount). Notwithstanding the forgoing, if the Cumulative Difference is a positive amount (e.g. the Actual Financials are cumulatively greater than the financials on Annex A), then Buyer shall not owe any additional amounts to the Sellers under this Agreement.
(g) Any Purchase Price Deficit Amount owed by the Sellers to Buyer, shall be paid, within three (3) Business Days after the Sellers receipt of the Purchase Price Deficit Statement, by wire transfer of immediately available funds by the Sellers to an account designated in writing by Buyer; provided, that, if the Sellers do not make such payment to Buyer within three (3) Business Days after the Sellers receipt of the Purchase Price Deficit Statement, Buyer may draw from the Indemnity Escrow Amount the number of Parent Shares equal to (x) the Purchase Price Deficit Amount divided by (y) the Closing Date Reference Price to satisfy the Sellers payment obligations under this Section 3.2(g).
3.3 Payment. At Closing:
(a) Buyer shall (i) pay to each Seller the amount in cash set forth opposite such Sellers name in Column I on Annex B, by wire transfer of immediately available funds and (ii) cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent the number of Parent Shares equal to the Indemnity Escrow Amount, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.
(b) GACCF shall deliver to Buyer a Marketing Fees Reconciliation calculated as of the Closing Date and GACCF shall pay to Buyer the amount of the Marketing Fees Cash (if a positive amount) shown in such Marketing Fees Reconciliation.
3.4 Allocation. The Sellers and Buyer agree to allocate the Final Purchase Price among the Purchased Assets in accordance with the pro forma allocation schedule attached hereto as Schedule 3.4 and the principles of Code Section 1060 and the regulations thereunder which final allocation schedule will be determined after the date hereof, but by a date no later than ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (the Allocation Schedule). The Sellers and Buyer agree that the Sellers amount realized for income tax purposes shall not include any Royalty Advances as defined in and paid under the New Settlement Agreement. If the parties are unable
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to agree on the final Allocation Schedule within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, a third-party appraiser selected by Buyer, and reasonably acceptable to the Sellers, the fees of which shall be borne equally by Buyer and the Sellers, shall resolve the allocation of the consideration to any items with respect to which there is a dispute between the parties. In the absence of manifest error, the determination of the Allocation Schedule by the third-party appraiser shall be final and binding on all parties and shall not be subject to contest. Each of the parties hereto agree that: (i) none of the parties shall take a position on any Tax Return (including IRS Form 8594) that is in any way inconsistent with the Allocation Schedule without the written consent of the other parties or unless specifically required by an applicable Government Authority; and (ii) they shall promptly advise each other regarding the existence of any Tax audit, controversy or litigation related to the Allocation Schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall prevent Buyer or the Sellers from settling any proposed deficiency or adjustment assessed against it by any Government Authority based upon or arising out of the Allocation Schedule, and neither Buyer nor the Sellers shall be required to litigate before any court any such proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Government Authority challenging the Allocation Schedule.
3.5 Nonassignable Contracts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that the assignment hereunder by either Seller to Buyer of any Assumed Contract is not permitted or is not permitted without the consent of any other party to such Assumed Contract, this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment of any such Assumed Contract if such consent is not given or if such assignment otherwise would constitute a breach of, or cause a loss of contractual benefits under, any such Assumed Contract, and Buyer shall assume no obligations or liabilities under any such Assumed Contract. The Sellers shall advise Buyer in writing on the date hereof with respect to any Assumed Contract which either Seller knows or has substantial reason to believe will or may not be subject to assignment to Buyer hereunder at the Closing. Without in any way limiting the Sellers obligation to obtain all consents and waivers necessary for the sale, transfer, assignment and delivery of the Assumed Contracts and the Purchased Assets to Buyer hereunder, if any such consent is not obtained or if such assignment is not permitted irrespective of consent and if the Closing shall occur, the Sellers shall cooperate with Buyer following the Closing Date in any reasonable arrangement designed to provide Buyer with the rights and benefits (subject to the obligations) under any such Assumed Contract, including enforcement for the benefit of Buyer (at the Buyers cost) of any and all rights of the Sellers against any other party arising out of any breach or cancellation of any such Assumed Contract by such other party and, if requested by Buyer, acting as an agent on behalf of Buyer or as Buyer shall otherwise reasonably require.
3.6 Escrow.
(a) Indemnity Escrow Amount. The Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be used to satisfy Damages, if any, for which Buyer Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification or reimbursement in accordance with Article XI hereof. For purposes of satisfying any claim under this Agreement, the value of each Parent Share included in the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be equal to the Closing Date Reference Price. The Escrow Agent shall release the balance of the Indemnity Escrow Amount to the Sellers, as applicable, on the first Business Day which is nine (9) months after the Closing Date (the Indemnity Escrow Release Date), provided that if on the Indemnity Escrow Release Date any claim by a Buyer Indemnified Party has been made that
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could result in Damages and Buyer has notified the Escrow Agent and the Sellers of such in writing, then either (i) there shall be withheld from the distribution to the Sellers such portion of the Indemnity Escrow Amount as is necessary to cover all Damages potentially resulting from all such pending claims in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement (and the escrow account shall continue with respect to such withheld amount) and such withheld amount (or the applicable portion thereof) shall either be (A) paid to Buyer or (B) paid to the Sellers, as determined upon final resolution of each such claim in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and Article XI hereof or (ii) the Sellers shall post a bond in an amount reasonably acceptable to Buyer for such amount necessary to cover all Damages potentially resulting from all such pending claims in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement, and upon posting of such bond all of the remaining balance of the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be released to the Sellers in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and Article XI hereof. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be available to satisfy any claims made by Buyer pursuant to Section 3.2(g).
(b) Conversion of Parent Shares Held In Escrow. If the Parent Shares held as any part of the Indemnity Escrow Amount are converted by the Parent through a stock split or a reverse stock split, then the Closing Date Reference Price shall be adjusted in direct but inverse relation to the stock split (the Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price). For example, for illustration purposes only: (A) if the Parent Shares are split 2 to 1, then the Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price shall be the Closing Date Reference Price divided by 2; or (B) if the Parent Shares undergo a reverse split of 1 to 2, then the Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price shall be the Closing Date Reference Price multiplied by 2.
3.7 Accounts Receivable.
(a) Each Seller shall hold in trust for, and, within five (5) Business Days of such Sellers receipt, pay to, Buyer any and all proceeds from:
(i) GACCF Accounts Receivable relating to the GAC Franchise Business that are received by GACCF following the Closing Date to the extent such proceeds relate to a period ending on or after the Closing Date;
(ii) GAM Accounts Receivable relating to the GAC Manufacturing Business that are received by GAM following the Closing Date to the extent such proceeds relate to a period ending on or after the Closing Date (Sections 3.7(a)(i) and (ii) collectively, the Buyer Accounts Receivable);
(b) The parties agree that each Seller, as applicable, will continue to collect the Buyer Accounts Receivable through the applicable Sellers current EFT system pursuant to and until such time as stipulated in the Transition Services Agreement and forward such amounts to Buyer.
(c) Buyer acknowledges that all GACCF Accounts Receivable and GAM Accounts Receivable in respect of amounts due from Franchisees or any Persons prior to the Closing Date shall remain the property of each Seller, as applicable, (the Seller Accounts Receivable) and that Buyer shall not acquire any beneficial right or interest therein. An
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estimate of the Seller Accounts Receivable calculated as of September 29, 2007 is set forth on Schedule 3.7. A revised estimate of the Seller Accounts Receivable as of the Closing Date shall be calculated within ten (10) days of the Closing Date, with the Seller Accounts Receivable to be finalized and updated in connection with the preparation of the Closing Statement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 3.7(b), the Sellers shall be entitled to retain from the amounts collected pursuant to Section 3.7(b) any Seller Accounts Receivable actually received by the Sellers from a Franchisee.
(e) Within 10 days following the end of each calendar month following the Closing Date, Buyer shall forward to the Sellers any amounts actually received by Buyer following the Closing Date that are designated by a Franchisee as Seller Accounts Receivable. For purposes of determining the amount of Seller Accounts Receivable payable to the Sellers for purposes of this Section 3.7, (x) in the case of Seller Accounts Receivable received in respect of a period (such as a fiscal quarter or other similar period for which such amounts are paid) that was completed prior to the Closing Date, the entire amount of such Seller Accounts Receivable shall be paid to the Sellers and (y) in the case of any Seller Accounts Receivable that are paid on a periodic basis and are payable for a period (such as a fiscal quarter) that includes, but does not end prior to, the Closing Date, the Sellers shall be paid a portion of such Seller Accounts Receivable equal to the Seller Accounts Receivable for the entire applicable period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire period for which such Seller Accounts Receivable are paid.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.7, neither Seller, MFFB nor any of their Affiliates shall be entitled to contact any Franchisee regarding any past due Seller Accounts Receivable without Buyers prior approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) Buyer and the Sellers shall provide to each other reasonable access to files, records and books of account for the purpose of verifying any funds that have been remitted to each to verify collection of the accounts receivable.
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of the Sellers and MFFB
Each Seller, and MFFB, as applicable, hereby represents and warrants to Buyer with respect to itself that the statements contained in this Article IV are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this Article IV except to the extent any representation or warranty expressly speaks only as of a different date), except as set forth in the disclosure schedules attached hereto (the Disclosure Schedules), which Disclosure Schedules set forth individually each Sellers, or MFFBs if applicable, disclosures identified by each Seller or MFFB, as applicable.
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4.1 Organization and Good Standing.
(a) MFFB is a single member limited liability company and is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Each Seller is a single member limited liability company and is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each Seller has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on the Businesses as currently conducted. Each Seller is duly qualified or licensed to conduct its portion of the Businesses as currently conducted and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the character or location of the property owned, leased or operated by such Seller or the nature of its portion of the Businesses conducted by such Seller makes such qualification necessary and has obtained all Government Authorizations necessary to the ownership or operation of its properties or the conduct of its portion of the Businesses, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Sellers do not have any Subsidiaries. Neither Seller owns or holds the right to acquire any shares of stock or any other security or interest in any other Person or has any obligation to make any investment in any Person.
4.2 Enforceability; Authority.
(a) MFFB has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its sole member, and no other action on the part of MFFB is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by MFFB and, assuming the due execution of this Agreement by the Sellers, Buyer and Parent, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of MFFB enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, and general equitable principles.
(b) Each Seller has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by each Sellers sole member, and no other action on behalf of such Seller is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller and, assuming the due execution of this Agreement by MFFB, Buyer and Parent, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each Seller enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, and general equitable principles.
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4.3 Consents; Approvals. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.3 and except for the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Seller and MFFB and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not:
(a) violate or conflict with the provisions of the Organizational Documents of either Seller or MFFB;
(b) violate any Legal Requirement or Order to which either Seller or MFFB is subject or by which any of its material properties or assets are bound;
(c) require any permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, or filing with any Government Authority; or
(d) result in a violation or breach of, conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) upon any of the properties or assets of either Seller or MFFB under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract or any other instrument or obligation to which either Seller or MFFB is a party, or by which it or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound; excluding from the foregoing clauses (b), (c) and (d) permits, consents, approvals, notices and filings the absence of which, and violations, breaches, defaults and Encumbrances the existence of which, have not had, and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Financial Statements.
(a) MFFB has delivered to Buyer (i) an audited consolidated balance sheet of MFFB as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, members equity and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended, together with the report thereon of KPMG LLP, its independent certified public accountants (including the notes thereto, Financial Statements), and (ii) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of MFFB as of September 29, 2007 (the Balance Sheet) and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, members equity and cash flows (together with the Balance Sheet, the Interim Reports) as at and for the trailing thirty-nine (39) week period ended September 29, 2007.
(b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4(b), there are no material liabilities or obligations of either Seller (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due), except for (i) those liabilities and obligations accrued or disclosed on the Balance Sheet and (ii) liabilities and obligations incurred since the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (none of which arise out of a breach of any contract, tort, infringement, claim, lawsuit or breach of warranty).
4.5 Real Property.
(a) Owned Real Property. Schedule 4.5(a) sets forth a true and correct list of each parcel of real property owned by either Seller and identified by owner (the Owned Real Property), including the address and a description of each such parcel. Except as set forth on
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Schedule 4.5(a): (i) the applicable Seller has good, valid and marketable fee simple title to such Owned Real Property, free and clear of all liens and Encumbrances as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, except for Permitted Encumbrances; (ii) such Seller is in actual possession of each such parcel; (iii) neither Sellers nor MFFB have leased or otherwise granted to any Person the right to use or occupy such Owned Real Property or any portion thereof; and (iv) there are no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal granted by the Sellers, or, to the Sellers Knowledge, by any other party, to purchase such Owned Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein. Neither Seller is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property or interest therein relating to, or intended to be used in the operation of the Businesses.
(b) Leased Real Property. Schedule 4.5(b) sets forth a true and correct list of each parcel of real property in which each Seller holds a leasehold estate and identified by such Seller (the Leased Real Property), including the address of each such leased property. Accurate and current copies of all real property leases, subleases, licenses or other occupancy agreements (and all amendments thereto) set forth on Schedule 4.5(b) (the Leases) have been delivered to Parent and Buyer. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(b), with respect to each of the Leases: (i) such lease is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect against Seller; (ii) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not require the consent of any other party to such lease (except for those Leases for which lease consents are obtained), will not result in a breach of or default under such Lease, and will not otherwise cause such Lease to cease to be valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect on materially identical terms following the Closing; (iii) neither Sellers possession or quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property under such Lease has been disturbed and there are no disputes with respect to such Lease; (iv) neither Seller nor, to the Sellers Knowledge, any other party to the Lease is in breach of or default under such Lease, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that, with the delivery of notice, the passage of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default, or permit the termination, modification or acceleration of rent under such lease; (v) to the Sellers Knowledge, no security deposit or portion thereof deposited with respect to such Lease has been applied in respect of a breach of or default under such Lease that has not been redeposited in full; (vi) neither Seller nor MFFB owes, or will owe in the future, any brokerage commissions or finders fees with respect to such Lease; (vii) the other party to such Lease is not an Affiliate of, and otherwise does not have any economic interest in the Sellers or MFFB; (viii) neither Seller has subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy the Leased Real Property or any portion thereof; (ix) neither Seller has collaterally assigned or granted any other lien or Encumbrance with regard to such Lease or any interest therein that would have a material adverse effect on the use of the Leased Real Property; and (x) there are no liens or Encumbrances on the estate or interest created by such Lease except as would be disclosed on a title report or commitment.
(c) The Owned Real Property identified in Schedule 4.5(a) and the Leased Real Property identified on Schedule 4.5(b) (collectively, the Real Property) comprises all of the real property used exclusively or primarily in the Sellers Businesses; and neither Seller is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property or interest therein.
(d) To the Sellers Knowledge, all buildings, structures, fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all components thereof, including the roof, foundation, load-bearing walls,
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and other structural elements thereof, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other building systems, environmental control, remediation and abatement systems, sewer, storm, and waste water systems, irrigation and other water distribution systems, parking facilities, fire protection, security and surveillance systems, and telecommunications, computer, wiring, and cable installations, included in the Real Property (the Improvements) are in good condition and repair and sufficient for the operation of the Sellers Businesses. To the Sellers Knowledge, there are no structural deficiencies of latent defects affecting any of the Improvements and there are no facts or conditions affecting any of the Improvements which would, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any respect with the use or occupancy of the Improvements or any portion thereof in the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon. The Sellers have good and marketable title to the Improvements on the Leased Real Property, free and clear of all liens and Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances, and other than the right of Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, there are no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal to purchase any such Improvements or any portion thereof or interest therein.
(e) To the Sellers Knowledge, there is no condemnation, expropriation or other proceeding in eminent domain, pending or threatened, affecting any parcel of Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein. There is no injunction, decree order, writ or judgment outstanding, or any claim, litigation, administrative action or similar proceeding, pending or threatened, relating to the ownership, lease, use or occupancy of the Real Property or any portion thereof, or the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon.
(f) The Real Property is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable building, zoning, subdivision, health and safety and other land use laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and all insurance requirements affecting the Real Property (collectively, the Real Property Laws), and the current use and occupancy of the Real Property and operation of the Sellers Businesses thereon do not violate any Real Property Laws in any material respects. Neither Seller has received any notice of violation of any Real Property Law and, to the Sellers Knowledge, there is no basis for the issuance of any such notice or the taking of any action for such violation. To the Sellers Knowledge, there is no pending or anticipated change in any Real Property Law that will materially impair the ownership, lease, use or occupancy of any Real Property or any portion thereof in the continued operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon.
(g) All certificates of occupancy, permits, licenses, franchises, approvals and authorizations (collectively, the Real Property Permits) of all Governmental Authorities, board of fire underwriters, association or any other entity having jurisdiction over the Real Property that are required or appropriate to use or occupy the Real Property or operate the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon have been issued and are in full force and effect. Schedule 4.5(g)(1) lists all material Real Property Permits held by the Sellers with respect to each parcel of Real Property. Neither Seller has received any notice from any Governmental Authority or other entity having jurisdiction over the Real Property threatening a suspension, revocation, modification or cancellation of any Real Property Permit and there is no basis for the issuance of any such notice or the taking of any such action. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(g)(2), the Real Property Permits are transferable to Buyer without the consent or approval of the issuing Governmental Authority or entity; no disclosure, filing or other action by
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the Sellers is required in connection with such transfer; and Buyer shall not be required to assume any additional liabilities or obligations under the Real Property Permits as a result of such transfer.
(h) The classification of each parcel of Real Property under applicable zoning laws, ordinances and regulations permits the use and occupancy of such parcel and the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon, and permits the Improvements located thereon as currently constructed, used and occupied. There are sufficient parking spaces, loading docks and other facilities at such parcel to comply with such zoning laws, ordinances and regulations. The Sellers use or occupancy of the Real Property or any portion thereof or the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon is not dependent on a permitted non-conforming use or permitted non-conforming structure or similar variance, exemption or approval from any Governmental Authority.
(i) The current use and occupancy of the Real Property and the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon do not violate any easement, covenant, condition, restriction or similar provision in any instrument of record or, to the Sellers Knowledge, other unrecorded agreement affecting such Real Property (the Encumbrance Documents). Neither Seller has received any notice of violation of any Encumbrance Documents, and there is no basis for the issuance of any such notice or the taking of any action for such violation.
(j) None of the Improvements encroaches on any land that is not included in the Real Property or on any easement affecting such Real Property, or violates any building lines or set-back lines, and there are no encroachments onto the Real Property, or any portion or the continued operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon.
(k) Each parcel of Real Property is a separate lot for real estate tax and assessment purposes, and no other real property is included in such tax parcel. There are no Taxes, assessments, fees, charges or similar costs or expenses imposed by any Governmental Authority, association or other entity having jurisdiction over the Real Property (collectively, the Real Estate Impositions) with respect to any Real Property or portion thereof that have become past due. To the Sellers Knowledge, there is no pending or threatened increase or special assessment or reassessment of any Real Estate Impositions for such parcel.
(l) Each parcel of Real Property has direct access to a public street adjoining the Real Property, and such access is not dependent on any land or other real property interest which is not included in the Real Property. None of the Improvements or any portion thereof is dependent for its access, use or operation on any land, building, improvement or other real property interest which is not included in the Real Property.
4.6 Title to Assets. Except for Excluded Assets and properties and assets reflected on the Balance Sheet that have been sold or otherwise disposed of by the Sellers in the ordinary course of business, each Seller has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all properties and assets used by such Seller, including, without limitation, all the properties and assets reflected on the Balance Sheet as being owned by such Seller, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. All of the Personal Property is in
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good operating condition and repair (with the exception of normal wear and tear) and is free from defects other than minor defects that do not interfere with the present use thereof in the conduct of normal operations.
4.7 Sufficiency of Assets. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, the Purchased Assets include all of the assets, properties and rights of every type and description, real, personal, mixed, tangible and intangible that are used in the conduct of the Businesses in substantially the same manner as currently conducted by each Seller as of the Closing Date, subject only to the exclusion of the Excluded Assets.
4.8 Accounts Receivable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, all GACCF Accounts Receivable and GAM Accounts Receivable reflected on the Balance Sheet (net of allowances for doubtful accounts as reflected thereon and as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) are or shall be valid receivables arising in the ordinary course of business and, to each Sellers Knowledge, are or shall be current and collectible at the aggregate recorded amount therefore as shown on the Balance Sheet (net of allowances for doubtful accounts as reflected thereon and as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, no Person has any Encumbrances on such receivables or any part thereof, and no agreement for deduction, free goods, discount or other deferred price or quantity adjustment has been made with respect to any such receivables. Schedule 3.7 sets forth a complete and accurate statement of Seller Accounts Receivable due and owing to the Sellers, as applicable, as of September 29, 2007.
4.9 Insolvency Proceedings. No insolvency proceedings of any kind, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization, composition or arrangement with creditors, voluntary or involuntary, affecting either Seller, MFFB or the Purchased Assets are pending or, to each Sellers Knowledge or MFFBs Knowledge, threatened. Neither Seller nor MFFB has made an assignment for the benefit of creditors or taken any action with a view to, or that would constitute a valid basis for, the institution of any such insolvency proceedings.
4.10 Taxes.
(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of either of the Sellers have been timely filed and all such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects. All material Taxes owed by or on behalf of either Seller (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid. Neither Seller is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Income Tax Return. Each Seller has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party, and all Forms W-2 and 1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed. There are no Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any of the assets of either Seller that arose in connection with the failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.
(b) There is no material dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of either Seller either (i) claimed or raised by any authority in writing or (ii) as to which any of the officers or managers of such Seller has knowledge based upon personal contact with any agent of such authority.
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(c) Schedule 4.10 lists all federal, state, local, and foreign Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of each Seller for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 2003, indicates those Tax Returns that have been audited, and indicates those Tax Returns that currently are the subject of audit. Neither Seller has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(d) The Assumed Liabilities do not include any obligations that will not be deductible under Code §280G. Neither Seller has any liability for the Taxes of any other Person as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.
4.11 Labor Relations; Compliance.
(a) The Sellers have complied and are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws relating to the employment of labor. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11, there are no Proceedings pending or, to each Sellers Knowledge, threatened against either Seller with respect to or by any employee or former employee (or representatives thereof) of the Businesses and, to each Sellers Knowledge, there are no Proceedings pending or threatened against any employees or former employee of the Businesses. Neither Seller has engaged in any unfair labor practices.
(b) Neither Seller is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or relationship with any labor organization, and, to each Sellers Knowledge, there are no organizational efforts presently made or threatened by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to the employees of the Businesses. Within the last three (3) years, neither Seller has experienced any union organization attempts, strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes, and none are underway or, to each Sellers Knowledge, threatened.
(c) With respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, any notice required under any law or collective bargaining agreement has been or prior to Closing will be given, and all bargaining obligations with any employee representative have been or prior to Closing will be satisfied. Neither Seller has implemented any plant closing or layoff of employees that could implicate the WARN Act, and no such action will be implemented without advance notification to Buyer.
(d) To each Sellers Knowledge no executive or manager of such Seller (i) has any present intention to terminate his or her employment, or (ii) is a party to any confidentiality, non-competition, proprietary rights or other such agreement between such employee and any Person besides the Sellers that would be material to the performance of such employees employment duties, or the ability of Buyer to conduct the Businesses.
4.12 Employee Benefits.
(a) Schedule 4.12 lists each Employee Benefit Plan maintained, sponsored, or contributed to or required to be contributed to by either Seller or by MFFB on behalf of any employee of the Businesses or under which either Seller has or may have a direct or indirect liability or obligation (each a Seller Benefit Plan).
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(b) Each Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of each Seller Benefit Plan document, and, as applicable, with respect to each Seller Benefit Plan, true and complete copies of (1) any related trust agreements, insurance contracts or other funding agreements or arrangements, (2) the most recent summary plan description and any summary of material modifications, if the Seller Benefit Plan is subject to ERISA, (3) the most recent determination letter or opinion letter issued by the IRS and any pending application for a determination letter or opinion letter with respect to any Seller Benefit Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code (Qualified Plan), and (4) the last two Form 5500 filings if such filings are required by ERISA or the Code.
(c) Each Seller Benefit Plan has been maintained, funded and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and the provisions of applicable Legal Requirements, including ERISA and the Code. No compensation paid or required to be paid under any Seller Benefit Plan is or will be subject to additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.
(d) All contributions, premium and benefit payments required to be made under or in connection with each Seller Benefit Plan through the Closing Date have been made or properly accrued, and all contributions, premium and benefit payments not yet required to be made under or in connection with each Seller Benefit Plan through the Closing Date will have been made or properly accrued.
(e) Each Seller Benefit Plan which is a Qualified Plan is a prototype or volume submitter plan with respect to which the sponsor has received a favorable determination as to its qualification under the Code that has not been subsequently amended or modified or is an individually designed plan that, together with the trust (if any) forming a part thereof, has received from the IRS a favorable determination letter as to its qualification under the Code and, and in either case, no event has occurred that will or would reasonably be expected to give rise to disqualification or loss of tax-exempt status of any Seller Benefit Plan or its related trust.
(f) With respect to each Seller Benefit Plan, no Proceeding or other action, suit, audit, claim or investigation (other than routine claims for benefits) is pending or, to the Sellers Knowledge, threatened, and there is no basis for any such Proceeding or other action, suit, audit, claim or investigation.
(g) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.12:
(i) Neither any Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof contributes to, ever has contributed to, or ever has been required to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or employee pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or Code Section 412 or has any liability, or indirect liability, including any liability on account of a partial withdrawal or complete withdrawal (as defined in ERISA Sections 4203 and 4201 respectively), under any Multiemployer Plan or under Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. Neither any Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof is bound by any Contract that would result in any direct or indirect liability described in ERISA Section 4204. No Seller Benefit Plan is a multiple employer plan for purposes of Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA or subject to Section 413(c) of the Code or a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA.
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(ii) Neither any Seller nor any Seller Benefit Plan has any obligation to provide post-employment medical, health or life insurance or other welfare-type benefits for current or future retired or terminated employees, directors, officers, or independent contractors or such persons spouses, dependents or other beneficiaries (other than in accordance with COBRA); each Seller Benefit Plan which is a group health plan has at all times been maintained in material compliance with COBRA, and each group health plan maintained by any ERISA Affiliate of either Seller has been maintained in material compliance with COBRA.
(iii) Neither any Seller nor their respective employees, or any other Person has engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any Seller Benefit Plan that has resulted or may result in any material liability to the Sellers; neither Seller has incurred any material liability for any penalty or tax, nor does any fact exist which would subject the Sellers to any material penalty or tax, under Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA; and no fiduciary of any Seller Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA) (where such fiduciary is an employee of the Sellers, or any other Person who is a fiduciary) has engaged in any material breach of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Seller Benefit Plan.
(h) No event has occurred or circumstance exists with respect to the Sellers, or the participants and beneficiaries of any Seller Benefit Plan, that would reasonably be expected to result in a material increase in expenses (including premiums, notwithstanding ordinary course premium increases, contributions and/or benefit payments) to the Businesses.
(i) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with any other event, result in (1) the payment to any Person of money or other property (including severance payments, bonus or other compensation), (2) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any Person, or (3) require either Seller to place in trust or otherwise set aside any amounts in respect of severance pay or any other payment or benefit. There are no agreements or arrangements pursuant to which the Sellers or Buyer would be required to make a parachute payment (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or in combination with a termination of employment or other event).
4.13 Litigation; Orders.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(a), there is no material Proceeding pending or, to each Sellers Knowledge, threatened, against either of the Sellers or relating to any of the Purchased Assets.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(b), (i) there is no Order to which either of the Sellers or any of the Purchased Assets is subject, and (ii) each Seller is in compliance with each Order to which it or its properties or assets are subject.
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4.14 Compliance With Laws; Permits.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, each Seller is in full compliance with each Legal Requirement that is applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of the Businesses or the ownership of the Purchased Assets, except for such non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Seller has received any written notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Government Authority or any other Person regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any material Legal Requirement applicable to the Businesses. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement, GAM has produced and distributed during the last three (3) years and is producing and distributing food products that are in compliance with the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and all other applicable laws governing the production of food.
(b) Each Seller possesses all Government Authorizations necessary for the ownership of its properties and the conduct of the Businesses as currently conducted, except for such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Further, (i) to each Sellers Knowledge, all such Government Authorizations are in full force and effect and (ii) neither Seller has received any written notice of any event, inquiry, investigation or proceeding threatening the validity of such Government Authorizations.
4.15 Operations of the Sellers. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15, since December 31, 2006, through the date of this Agreement, there has not been any change, event or condition of any character that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 4.15, since December 31, 2006, each Seller has operated its portion of the Businesses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and during such time period, neither Seller has:
(a) sold, leased, transferred, or assigned any of its material assets, other than for a fair consideration in the ordinary course of business;
(b) entered into any Material Contract outside the ordinary course of business;
(c) accelerated, terminated, made material modifications to, or cancelled any Material Contract in any material respect;
(d) transferred, assigned, or granted any license or sublicense of any rights under or with respect to any Intellectual Property Right, other than to a Franchisee pursuant to a Franchise Agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(e) made any capital expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) either involving more than $5,000, individually, or $15,000, in the aggregate, or outside the ordinary course of business;
(f) engaged in any sales or promotional discount or other similar activities with customers (including, without limitation, materially altering credit terms) other than any such activities undertaken in accordance with the terms of its current Franchise Agreements;
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(g) delayed or postponed the payment of any accounts payable, other payables, expenses or other liabilities (including marketing or promotional expenses), or accelerated the collection of or discount any GACCF Accounts Receivable or GAM Accounts Receivable or otherwise accelerated cash collections of any type other than in the ordinary course of business and in an amount not greater than $5,000 in the aggregate;
(h) incurred any Indebtedness or incurred or become subject to any material liability, except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and liabilities under Contracts (other than liabilities for breach) entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(i) suffered any extraordinary losses or waived any rights of material value, whether or not in the ordinary course of business;
(j) experienced any material damage, destruction, or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) to its property;
(k) become liable for any Damages in connection with, or become obligated to rescind or otherwise materially modify, any Franchise Agreement; or
(l) committed to do any of the foregoing actions.
4.16 Material Contracts.
(a) Schedule 4.16(a) contains a complete and correct list identified by the Sellers, as of the date of this Agreement, of the following Contracts to which either Seller is a party or by which either Seller is bound (collectively, the Material Contracts):
(i) any agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of personal property to or from a Person providing for lease payment in excess of $5,000 per annum;
(ii) any agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of raw materials, commodities, supplies, products, or other personal property, or for the furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will extend over a period of more than one year, or involve consideration in excess of $5,000;
(iii) each Franchise Agreement submitted to a Person for execution but not yet executed and delivered to either Seller by such Person;
(iv) any agreements relating to Intellectual Property Rights except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(b);
(v) any agreement imposing continuing confidentiality obligations on the Sellers;
(vi) all executory contracts for capital expenditures with remaining obligations in excess of $5,000 each;
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(vii) all contracts containing covenants that in any way purport to limit the freedom to engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person or in any geographical area;
(viii) all collective bargaining agreements;
(ix) all severance, change of control or similar agreements or contracts with any employees, and any employment agreements requiring payment of annual compensation in excess of $100,000;
(x) all settlement, conciliation or similar agreements with any Government Authority or pursuant to which any Seller is required after the execution date of this Agreement to pay consideration in excess of $25,000; and
(xi) any other agreement the performance of which involves consideration in excess of $5,000.
(b) All Material Contracts are in full force and effect and in written form and true, correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts, including any amendments, waivers, supplements or other modifications thereto, have been made available to Buyer. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.16(b), neither Seller is in violation or breach of or in default under any Material Contract the effect of which, individually or in the aggregate, does have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Proceeding or event or condition has occurred or exists or is alleged by any party to have occurred or exist which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default by any of the parties thereto of their respective obligations under a Material Contract (or would give rise to any right of termination or cancellation), except as does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Seller has, nor to each Sellers Knowledge, has any other party to any Material Contract, breached or provided any written notice of an intent to breach, any provision thereof, except such a breach as does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Schedule 4.16(c) contains a complete and correct list of all written agreements, contracts or instruments to which an Affiliate of either Seller is a party and pursuant to which either Seller is a beneficiary of any goods, services or other benefits related to the Purchased Assets.
4.17 Insurance. Schedule 4.17 sets forth an accurate and complete summary of (a) each insurance policy providing for liability exposure (including policies providing property, casualty, liability and workers compensation coverage and bond and surety arrangements) to which either Seller is currently a party, a named insured or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage (Insurance Policies) and (b) all insurance loss runs or workers compensation claims received for the past three (3) policy years. All such Insurance Policies are in full force and effect. Since January 1, 2004, each Seller has paid all premiums due thereunder and, except as set forth in Schedule 4.17, no notice (whether oral or written) of cancellation of any such coverage or increase in premiums thereof has been received by either Seller.
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4.18 Environmental and Safety Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18, with respect to the Businesses (including, without limitation, the ownership and operation of the Purchased Assets): (i) each Seller has at all times complied and is in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental and Safety Requirements; (ii) without limiting the foregoing, all Government Authorizations required under Environmental and Safety Requirements to be obtained by the Sellers are valid and in full force and effect, each Seller has at all times complied and is in compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions of such Government Authorizations; (iii) neither Seller is subject to any suit, investigation, inquiry or Proceeding by or before any court or Government Authority relating to Environmental and Safety Requirements, including, without limitation, with respect to any of its current or former operations, properties or facilities; (iv) neither Seller, nor any of its predecessors or Affiliates, has caused a release of Hazardous Substances, and no condition of contamination by Hazardous Substances is present, at any of the Sellers Owned Real Properties, and, to the Sellers Knowledge, there are no facts, events, circumstances or conditions relating to any current or former facilities, properties or operations of the Sellers or of their predecessors or Affiliates that have given or would give rise to any current or future investigatory, remedial, or corrective obligations or other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under CERCLA or any other Environmental and Safety Requirements; (v) neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any obligations for site investigation or cleanup, or notification to or consent of any Government Authority or other Person pursuant to any of the so-called transaction-triggered or responsible property transfer Environmental and Safety Requirements; (vi) each Seller has furnished to Buyer copies of all audits, assessments, reports and other documents within its possession or under its reasonable control (including all Phase I and Phase II reports) bearing on environmental, health or safety liabilities or concerning compliance with Environmental and Safety Requirements with respect to any current or former operations, properties or facilities of either Seller or its predecessors or Affiliates; (vii) neither Seller has received any written or oral notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged violation of, or actual or potential liability or obligation (contingent or otherwise) under, any Environmental and Safety Requirement or that any existing Government Authorization that was obtained pursuant to any Environmental and Safety Requirement is to be revoked or suspended by any Government Authority or that any Seller is not currently operating or required to be operating under, or subject to any outstanding compliance order, decree or agreement, any consent decree, order or agreement, or any corrective action decree, order or agreement issued or entered into under, or pertaining to matters regulated by, any Environmental and Safety Requirement; (viii) neither Seller owns or operates any underground storage tanks, and no such underground storage tanks are in violation of any Environmental and Safety Requirement; and (ix) neither Seller, nor any of its predecessors or Affiliates, has treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, released, or exposed any Person to, any Hazardous Substances, or owned or operated either Business or any property or facility relating to the Businesses (and no such property or facility is or was contaminated by any such Hazardous Substances) in a manner that has given or would give rise to any current or future liabilities or investigative, corrective or remedial obligations (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to CERCLA or any other Environmental and Safety Requirement.
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4.19 Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedule 4.19(a) attached hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of the following items that are owned by either Seller or any of their Affiliates and used in the Businesses: (i) all patented or registered Intellectual Property Rights; (ii) all pending patent applications or other applications for registration of Intellectual Property Rights; (iii) all trade names, trademarks and unregistered marks; (iv) all material unregistered copyrights, mask works and computer software (e.g., internally developed back office software, etc.); and (v) all internet domain names and URLs registered or for which an application has been filed. Neither Seller nor any of their Affiliates own any unregistered common law or unregistered Intellectual Property Rights that are used in and are material to the Businesses.
(b) Schedule 4.19(b) attached hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of: (i) all computer software licenses or similar agreements or arrangements relating to information technology used exclusively in the operation of the Businesses (IT Software) for which either Seller or its Affiliates paid more than $10,000 in the aggregate in license fees or pays more than $5,000 in annual support fees; (ii) all other licenses or similar agreements or arrangements, in effect as of the date hereof, in which either Seller or its Affiliates are a licensee of Intellectual Property Rights that are related to or used in connection with the Businesses; (iii) all licenses or similar agreements or arrangements in which either Seller or its Affiliates are a licensor of Intellectual Property Rights that are related to or used in connection with the Businesses, including Franchise Agreements; and (iv) all other agreements or similar arrangements, in effect as of the date hereof, relating to the use of Intellectual Property Rights by either Seller, including settlement agreements, consent-to-use or standstill agreements and standalone indemnification agreements.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(c), (i) each Seller owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to, or has an enforceable right to use, the Intellectual Property Rights, identified with such Seller and set forth in Schedule 4.19(a), has a valid and enforceable right to use pursuant to the agreements set forth in Schedule 4.19(b), and otherwise own and possess all right, title and interest in and to all other Intellectual Property Rights necessary for the operation of the Businesses as currently conducted, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances (collectively, the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights) and (ii) neither Seller has licensed any of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights to any third party on an exclusive basis.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(d), (i) neither Seller has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with, and the operation of the Businesses as currently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict with, any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person; (ii) neither Seller is aware of any facts which indicate a likelihood of any of the foregoing; (iii) neither Seller has received any notices regarding any of the foregoing (including any demands or offers to license any Intellectual Property Rights from any Person or any requests for indemnification from customers) and (iv) neither Seller has requested nor received any opinions of counsel related to the foregoing.
(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(e), (i) no loss or expiration of any of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights is threatened, pending or reasonably foreseeable, except for
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patents expiring at the end of their maximum statutory terms (and not as a result of any act or omission by either Seller, including a failure by such Seller to pay any required maintenance fees); (ii) all of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable and none of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights has been misused; (iii) no claim by any third party contesting the validity, enforceability, use or ownership of any of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights has been made, is currently outstanding or is threatened, and there are no grounds for the same; (iv) each Seller has taken all necessary and desirable action to maintain and protect all of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights and will continue to maintain and protect all of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights prior to the Closing so as not to adversely affect the validity or enforceability thereof; and (v) neither Seller has disclosed or allowed to be disclosed any of its trade secrets or confidential information to any third party other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement and each Seller has entered into written confidentiality agreements with all of its employees and independent contractors acknowledging the confidentiality of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights.
(f) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(f), to each Sellers Knowledge, no Person has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights and neither Seller is aware of any facts that indicate a likelihood of any of the same.
(g) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(g), all Intellectual Property Rights owned by each Seller was: (i) developed by employees of such Seller working within the scope of their employment; (ii) developed by officers, directors, agents, consultants, contractors, subcontractors or others who have executed appropriate instruments of assignment in favor of such Seller as assignee that have conveyed to such Seller ownership of all of such Persons rights in the Intellectual Property Rights relating to such developments; or (iii) acquired in connection with acquisitions in which such Seller obtained appropriate representations, warranties and indemnities from the transferring party relating to the title to such Intellectual Property Rights.
(h) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(h), none of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights is subject to any proceeding or outstanding decree, order, judgment, agreement or stipulation restricting in any manner the use, transfer or licensing thereof by either Seller, or which may affect the validity, use or enforceability of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights.
(i) The computer software, computer firmware, computer hardware (whether general purpose or special purpose), and other similar or related items of automated, computerized and/or software system(s) that are used or relied on by either Seller in the conduct of the Businesses is, in the opinion of the Sellers, sufficient in all material respects for the current needs of such Businesses and does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict with any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person.
(j) Each Seller has collected, used, imported, exported and protected all personally identifiable information, and other information relating to individuals protected by law, in accordance with the privacy policies of each Seller and in accordance with applicable law, including by entering into agreements, where applicable, governing the flow of such information across national borders.
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(k) Each item of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights is valid, enforceable and subsisting. All necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees currently due in connection with the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights have been made and all necessary documents, recordations and certifications in connection with the Sellers Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purpose of maintaining the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights. Prior to the Closing, each Seller will deliver to Buyer all files, documents, or instruments necessary to the preservation and maintenance of the Sellers Intellectual Property Rights.
(l) Each material recipe and proprietary food process used in the Businesses during the last five (5) years are and were owned by the Sellers and are not subject to any license or similar use agreement with any third party (including MFFB) and have not been sold or otherwise transferred to any third party (including MFFB). All material recipes and proprietary food processes used in the Businesses as of the date of this Agreement (the Seller Recipes and Processes) are either located at the GAM manufacturing facility or will be delivered to Buyer at Closing.
4.20 Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20, (a) there are no Assumed Contracts between either Seller, on the one hand, and any member, interest or right holder or any family member or affiliate of any such member, interest or right holder, on the other hand; (b) there are no Assumed Contracts between either Seller, on the one hand, and any employee or director or any family member or affiliate of any such person, on the other hand, other than employment agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and (c) there are no loans or other indebtedness owing by any employee of either Seller or any family member or affiliate of any such person to the Sellers.
4.21 Brokers or Finders Fees. No agent, broker, firm or other Person acting on behalf of either Seller or, to such Sellers Knowledge, any of their Affiliates is, or will be, entitled to any investment banking, commission, brokers or finders fees from any of the parties hereto, or from any Affiliate of any of the parties hereto, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.22 Suppliers. Except for the suppliers named in Schedule 4.22, neither Seller has purchased, from any single supplier, goods or services for which the aggregate purchase price exceeds 5% of the total amount of goods and services purchased by such Seller during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Since December 31, 2006, there has not been any termination, cancellation or material curtailment of the Business relationship of either Seller with any supplier named in Schedule 4.22 or any material and adverse (to either of the Sellers) change in any material term (including credit terms) of the supply agreements or related arrangements with any such supplier. No supplier named in Schedule 4.22 has advised either Seller that it intends, or has threatened, to cancel or otherwise terminate the business relationship of such supplier with either Seller or any Franchisee or that it intends to modify materially and adversely (to such Seller) its business relationship with such Seller or any Franchisee or to decrease materially or limit materially its supply to such Seller or any Franchisee.
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4.23 Franchise Matters.
(a) GAM has never offered or sold Franchises. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(a), since January 1, 2004, GACCF has been the only Person offering and selling Franchises and no Subsidiary or Affiliate has ever offered or sold Franchises domestically or internationally. GACCF and its Affiliates are the only Persons that have offered or sold Franchises for their respective Brands since January 1, 2000.
(b) Schedule 4.23(b) sets forth a listing of, and GACCF has provided Buyer with a true and complete copy of, its currently effective Seller UFOC(s), together with true and complete copies of all Seller UFOCs used by such Seller since January 1, 2004 in connection with the offer and sale of Franchises.
(c) Schedule 4.23(c) sets forth a true and complete list of all Franchise Agreements to which GACCF is a party, including for each Franchise Agreement (i) the name, address and telephone number of each and every Franchisee; (ii) the effective dates and expiration dates; and (iii) a description of any protected or exclusive territory. There are no other currently effective Franchise Agreements relating to the Brands. Except as noted in Schedule 4.23(c), each Franchise Agreement entered is substantially similar to the form of Franchise Agreement incorporated into the Seller UFOC that was issued to the Franchisee contemporaneously with the sale of such Franchise by GACCF to the Franchisee. GACCF has and has had made available to Buyer true, complete and correct copies of all Franchise Agreements listed or required to be listed on Schedule 4.23(c), including all amendments and addenda thereto, except those in respect of which Sellers have indicated on Schedule 4.23(c) that the Franchise Agreement on file is missing.
(d) From and after the date of its formation, GACCF has and has had at all relevant times, the limited liability company power and authority and legal right to enter into and carry out the terms of each Franchise Agreement. All of the Franchise Agreements are valid, binding and enforceable against the Franchisee thereunder in accordance with its terms, subject to any such Franchisees bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding under state or federal law and subject to any equitable doctrines and Legal Requirements which may affect the enforceability of the Franchise Agreements against Franchisees. GACCF has maintained a standard practice of refraining from the negotiation of the Franchise Agreements on a Franchisee by Franchisee basis.
(e) Schedule 4.23(e) identifies each existing Franchisee that (i) is, to the Sellers Knowledge, currently in material default under any Franchise Agreement, whether or not GACCF has notified the Franchisee about the default; (ii) has received within the twelve (12) month period prior to the date of this Agreement a Notice of Default from GACCF that such Franchisee has incurred a default under such Franchise Agreement; (iii) has on three or more occasions within any twelve (12) month period received Notices of Default under a Franchise Agreement; or (iv) is a party to a Franchise Agreement under which the franchise unit is not yet open and operating.
(f) Schedule 4.23(f) sets forth a true and complete list of all written or oral agreements or arrangements (and with respect to oral agreements a description thereof) with
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independent sales representatives, contractors, brokers or consultants under which GACCF has authorized any person to sell or promote Franchises on behalf of GACCF or has agreed to rebate or share amounts receivable under any Franchise Agreement in connection with the offer and sale of any such Franchise Agreement and indicating which of such agreements are in default and may be terminated by GACCF by notice to the other party. GACCF has delivered to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all written agreements described in Schedule 4.23(f). GACCF has delivered to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all written correspondence and memoranda evidencing such oral agreements described in Schedule 4.23(f).
(g) To the Sellers Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(g), GACCF has not (i) offered nor sold, nor otherwise granted rights, to any Person conferring upon that Person area development, area representative, master franchise, sub-franchise, or other multi-unit or multi-level rights with respect to the Brands within the United States or (ii) used or uses independent sales representatives, area directors, contractors, sales and service providers or brokers to sell or promote the sale of its Franchises.
(h) To the Sellers Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(h), and except as may be granted by operation of law, (i) no Franchisee has been granted any Territorial Rights by GACCF pursuant to which (A) GACCF is restricted in any way in their right to own or operate, or license others to own or operate, any business or line of business or (B) the Franchisee is granted rights for the acquisition of additional franchises or expansion of the Franchisees territory, (ii) no Franchisees Territorial Rights conflict with the Territorial Rights of any other Franchisee, and (iii) to the extent GACCF has granted any such Territorial Rights (whether or not disclosed or required to be disclosed herein), GACCF has complied with such Territorial Rights and in the course of offering or selling franchises has not violated the Territorial Rights of any Franchisee.
(i) Since January 1, 2004, and except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(i), each Seller has: (i) prepared and maintained each Seller UFOC in accordance with applicable law; (ii) filed and obtained registration of the offer and sale of the Franchises in all jurisdictions requiring such registration prior to any offers or sales of Franchises in such jurisdictions (the Registration Laws) and has filed all material changes, amendments and renewals thereto on a timely basis as required by Legal Requirements in such jurisdictions; (iii) filed all notice filings (including the filing of Seller UFOC, as applicable) in all jurisdictions in which a notice filing is required to be filed prior to the offer and sale of franchises in such jurisdictions; (iv) filed all notices of exemption in all jurisdictions in which a notice filing is required in order to obtain an exemption from regulation as a business opportunity or to otherwise be subject to regulation under Legal Requirements in such jurisdictions absent such notice filing; and (v) sold no franchises during periods after the need for amendment arose and before the prospective Franchisee had been in receipt of an amended Seller UFOC for the required period for redisclosure in the jurisdiction. Seller UFOCs were prepared in all material respects in compliance with the UFOC Guidelines and/or other Legal Requirements and there were no material misrepresentations or misstatements of fact or omissions to state material information in any Seller UFOC necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading under the circumstances at the time such Seller was using such Seller UFOC. Since January 1, 2004, GACCF has never withdrawn any of its applications or registrations to offer and sell franchises from any jurisdiction except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(i).
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(j) To the Sellers Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(j), GACCF has not (i) offered or sold franchises or any form of agreement for operations under the Brands outside of the United States or (ii) filed any application seeking registration, exemption, and/or approval to do so.
(k) GACCF has heretofore made available to Buyer correct and complete copies of all correspondence with Government Authorities concerning compliance with Registration Laws (including franchise registration orders), franchise advertising or promotional materials, UFOCs, and Franchise Agreements with current and past Franchisees. GACCF has made available or delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of the Franchisee files and other materials associated with each and every Franchisee. Since January 1, 2005, GACCF has not, in any of the aforementioned documents or filings under any Registration Laws, made any untrue statement of a material fact, or omitted to state any fact necessary to make the statements made by GACCF, not misleading, in connection with the offer or sale of any franchise or business opportunity.
(l) Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23(l), each Franchise Agreement complies, and the offer, sale, administration and relationship of such Franchise complied at the time such offer and sale was made and at all times since such Franchise Agreement became effective, with all Legal Requirements.
(m) Except as listed or described in Schedule 4.23(m), the rights of GACCF under any and all of the Franchise Agreements have not been subordinated to the rights of any other Person and no provision regarding the calculation and payment of royalty fees in any Franchise Agreement has been waived, altered or modified in any material respect adverse to GACCF.
(n) Set forth in Schedule 4.23(n) is a description of any franchisee organization which holds itself out as a representative of any group of two or more Franchisees, indicating thereon whether such franchisee organization is sponsored by GACCF or is independently maintained. There are no agreements of any kind in effect between any such franchisee organization and GACCF.
(o) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(o), no orders, consents or decrees (other than routine comment letters from regulators, orders approving registrations, renewals of registrations or registration exemptions) have been issued by any foreign or domestic (federal or state) administrative or regulatory agency to GACCF nor have letters of inquiry, investigation or the like been issued to GACCF by such foreign or domestic administrative or regulatory agencies relating, directly or indirectly, to GACCFs offer and sale of Franchises.
(p) GACCF has not offered or sold Franchises in any jurisdiction where the sale of any such Franchise violated any Legal Requirements of such jurisdiction. GACCF has not offered rescission as would be required under any Legal Requirements arising from a possible violation of any Legal Requirements. No Franchisee: (i) paid any consideration or signed any Franchise Agreement before the expiration of all applicable waiting periods; (ii) has asserted or exercised any statutory right of rescission arising from a violation of the Legal Requirements; (iii) has an immediate or inchoate right to exercise any statutory right of rescission arising from the violation of any Legal Requirements relating to the offer and sale of Franchises. With the
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exception of routine comment letters from regulators, GACCF has never received: (A) a stop order, revocation or withdrawal of approval or a license or exemption to offer and sell Franchises in any jurisdiction; or (B) an official notice, complaint, subpoena, request for information, or any form of formal or informal inquiry from any Government Authority regarding the offer or sale of Franchises. GACCF has not participated in any remedial program directed towards its franchise selling practices administered by the National Franchise Council, the International Franchise Association, the Federal Trade Commission, any state or provincial authority, or any other public or private organization.
(q) The Books and Records of GACCF and the files of its franchise counsel include all written communications and written memorialization of all material oral communications with franchise regulatory authorities regarding the franchises, including without limitation all applications for initial registration, renewal applications, amendments, comment letters, approvals, licenses, consents, exemption filings, withdrawals, and undertakings regarding future changes in such Sellers offering materials.
(r) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.23(r), GACCF has complied with all Legal Requirements applicable to the administration of the relationships with the Franchisees under the Franchise Agreements.
(s) GACCF has delivered or made available to Buyer correct and complete copies of all registrations, material advertising or promotional materials (used by GACCF subsequent to January 1, 2005), Seller UFOCs or agreements used by GACCF or filed with any foreign or domestic administrative or regulatory agency or otherwise used by GACCF in connection with the offer, sale and operation of Franchises in any jurisdiction (domestic or international) since January 1, 2005. GACCF has not published any franchise recruitment advertising in violation of the Legal Requirements of any jurisdiction. GACCF has effected timely filing of franchise recruitment advertising with the applicable Government Authority before publication and obtained any approvals or clearances, or received no comments requiring changes to the advertising materials that were not incorporated in the final copy.
(t) Schedule 4.23(t) includes a true and complete list of all written or oral agreements or arrangements (and with respect to oral agreements or arrangements, a description thereof) with third party vendors or suppliers who currently approved by GACCF to act as providers of goods or services to the Franchisees. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.23(t), and excluding entertainment by vendors/suppliers or reimbursement for franchisee conventions or meetings in the ordinary course of business, GACCF does not receive rebates, commissions, discounts or other payments or remuneration of any kind from such vendors or suppliers of such goods or services.
(u) To the Sellers Knowledge, GACCF is not in violation or default of any Franchise Agreement, nor has there occurred any event or condition which with the passage of time or giving of notice (or both) would constitute a material default by GACCF of any Franchise Agreement under, or permit termination or rescission of, any such Franchise Agreement. Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein would result in a violation of or a default under, or give rise to a right of termination, modification, cancellation, rescission or acceleration of any obligation or loss of
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material benefits under, any Franchise Agreement. No consent or approval of any Franchisee is required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
(v) All Franchise Agreements and related documents provided to Buyer are true, correct and complete and they constitute all of the agreements between GACCF and its Franchisees and there exists no other agreements, oral or written, between GACCF and any Franchisee. There are no material agreements or special arrangements with any Franchisee other than as set forth in the Seller UFOCs and Franchise Agreements.
(w) GACCFs use and administration of advertising contributions and fees made under the Franchise Agreements has at all times complied with the provisions of all Franchise Agreements or other agreements made by GACCF with respect to their use of the advertising contributions and fees, conforms with any descriptions of such activities contained in applicable Seller UFOCs and does not violate any Legal Requirements.
(i) Schedule 4.23(w) sets forth, as to GACCF: (A) a statement of the amount of Marketing Fees in respect of the TTM Period; (B) the amount of Marketing Fees actually spent by each Seller during the TTM Period; and (C) the amount of any residual Marketing Fees being held by either Seller or the deficit in Marketing Fees for which either Seller is to be reimbursed from future Marketing Fees as of the end of the TTM Period, as the case may be (the Marketing Fees Balance). The foregoing reconciliation of Marketing Fees is referred to herein as the Marketing Fees Reconciliation.
(ii) Schedule 4.23(w) sets forth a listing of each Contract entered into by GACCF that is not fully performed by both parties as of the date of this Agreement pursuant to which GACCF has obligated itself to the expenditure of Marketing Fees, along with a statement of any payments made, and remaining to be made, by GACCF in order to complete its performance under each such Contract.
(x) Except as specified on Schedule 4.23(x), there is no action, proceeding, or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of GACCF, threatened against or involving GACCF with respect to any of its domestic or international Franchises, and to the Knowledge of GACCF, there is no basis for any such action, proceeding or investigation except for actions, proceedings or investigations that could not, in any individual case or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on GACCF. GACCF is not subject to any judgment, order or decree entered in any lawsuit or proceeding which has or may have a material adverse effect on its rights and interests in any Franchise Agreement. To the Knowledge of GACCF, there are not currently, nor have there ever been any administrative actions, cease and desist orders or other administrative actions by any federal or state agency which regulates Franchises.
(y) Since January 1, 2004, except as specified on Schedule 4.23(y), GACCF has not waived enforcement of, or failed to enforce, any noncompete or similar restriction under a Franchise Agreement, and to the Knowledge of GACCF, no current or former Franchisee is currently in violation of any applicable noncompete covenant.
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(z) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23(z), neither GACCF nor any of its Affiliates have entered into any guarantees in respect of leases held by Franchisees of the Businesses.
(aa) All persons acting as franchise salespersons and franchise sales brokers authorized to act on behalf of GACCF has been duly and timely registered and qualified in all jurisdictions where such registration or qualification is necessary. All information filed by GACCF with such registrations about all such persons is accurate, true and complete in all respects. All of the Domestic UFOCs accurately disclose any relevant information about franchise brokers required in Items, 2, 3 and 4.
(bb) Since January 1, 2004, GACCF has conducted reasonable training programs for all officers, agents, employees, brokers, salespersons, contractors and other representatives engaged in the offer and sale of Franchises on behalf of GACCF in the requirements of applicable law before permitting such persons to engage with prospective Franchisees and has a standard practice of retraining such persons at least annually regarding the requirements of applicable law.
(cc) GACCF has no published policies governing its franchise sales efforts and personnel that mandate conformance with applicable law and that notify sales personnel that violation of any Legal Requirements will result in disciplinary action or termination. GACCF has instituted and maintained internal controls adequate to assure that material violations of Legal Requirements governing franchise sales are discovered and remedied and that their records demonstrate compliance with Legal Requirements or that appropriate steps are taken to remedy non-compliance when discovered.
(dd) GACCF has obtained, has filed with the applicable jurisdictions and has retained in its records the consent of their accountants to publication of the financial statements set forth in the Seller UFOCs, and modified Seller UFOCs to conform to any comments offered by the accountants prior to distribution to prospective Franchisees.
4.24 Powers of Attorney. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24, there are no outstanding powers of attorney executed by or on behalf of either Seller.
4.25 Investment. Each Seller (a) understands that the Parent Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities laws, and are being offered and sold in reliance upon federal and state exemptions for transactions not involving any public offering, (b) is acquiring the Parent Shares solely for its own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to the distribution thereof, (c) is a sophisticated investor with knowledge and experience in business and financial matters, (d) has received certain information concerning Parent and has had the opportunity to obtain additional information as desired in order to evaluate the merits and the risks inherent in holding the Parent Shares, (e) is able to bear the economic risk and lack of liquidity inherent in holding the Parent Shares, and (f) is an Accredited Investor.
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4.26 Deferred Revenue Liability. As of the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the Deferred Revenue Liability amount reflects the full amount of all deferred revenues allocated to each Sellers Franchise Agreements.
4.27 Indenture Payment. To MFFBs Executive Knowledge, without giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder, MFFB will have adequate cash and cash equivalents on hand to make its payment due on March 15, 2008, under and in accordance with the Indenture.
4.28 Settlement Agreement. GACCF is the successor-in-interest to GACCI and is bound by all of the obligations of GACCI under the Original Settlement Agreement. All of the Settlement Franchisees are listed on Schedule 4.28, along with the identification of the franchised stores (by brand name and location) owned by the Settlement Franchisees that are eligible for payment rights under Section 2(b) or the settlement tag-along rights under Section 2(c) of the Original Settlement Agreement as of November 1, 2007. The notice to the Settlement Franchisees provided for in Section 2 of the Original Settlement Agreement was duly given by MFFB on September 21, 2007, and the thirty-day and sixty-day notice periods provided for in such Section 2 expired on October 20, 2007, and November 19, 2007, respectively. As of the date of this Agreement, MFFB has received from the Settlement Franchisees notices of the exercise of tag-along rights as listed on Schedule 4.28.
4.29 Other Contracts. Neither MFFB nor either of the Sellers has entered into any Contract with any of the parties identified in the third disclosure on Schedule 4.13 that is not otherwise required to be set forth on the Disclosure Schedules.
ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties of Buyer and Parent
Parent and Buyer, jointly and severally, hereby represent and warrant to the Sellers, subject to the limitations set forth in Article XI of this Agreement, that the statements contained in this Article V are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this Article V except to the extent any representation or warranty expressly speaks only as of a different date), except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules attached hereto.
5.1 Existence and Good Standing; Authorization.
(a) Each of Buyer and Parent is organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its incorporation, organization or formation.
(b) Each of Buyer and Parent has all requisite corporate or organizational power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of Buyer and Parent, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its respective board of directors or members, and no other corporate, stockholder, organizational, member or manager action on the part of Buyer or Parent is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery
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and performance of this Agreement by Buyer or Parent and the consummation thereby of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and Parent and, assuming the due execution of this Agreement by MFFB and the Sellers, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Buyer and Parent enforceable against Buyer and Parent in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, and general equitable principles.
5.2 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and Parent and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not:
(a) violate or conflict with any provisions of the Organizational Documents of Buyer or Parent;
(b) violate any Legal Requirement or Order to which Buyer or Parent is subject or by which any of their respective material properties or assets are bound;
(c) require any permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, or filing with any Government Authority on or prior to the Closing Date; and
(d) result in a material violation or breach of, conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the material properties or assets of Buyer or Parent under any of the material terms, conditions or provisions of any Material Contract or any other instrument or obligation to which Buyer or Parent is a party, or by which it or any of their respective material properties or assets may be bound; excluding from the foregoing clauses (b), (c) and (d) permits, consents, approvals, notices and filings the absence of which, and violations, breaches, defaults and Encumbrances the existence of which, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent Buyer or Parent from performing its obligations under this Agreement.
5.3 SEC Documents and Other Reports. Parent has timely filed with the SEC all documents required to be filed by it since December 31, 2006 under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the Parent SEC Documents). As of their respective filing dates, the Parent SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, each as in effect on the date so filed, and at the time filed with the SEC none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents complied as of their respective dates in all material respects with the then applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except in the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the condensed consolidated financial position of Parent and its subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the
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condensed consolidated results of their operations and their condensed consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and to any other adjustments described therein).
5.4 Litigation. There are no Proceedings pending, or, to the knowledge of Buyer or Parent, threatened which would prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 Brokers or Finders Fees. No agent, broker, firm or other Person acting on behalf of Buyer or Parent is, or will be, entitled to any investment banking, commission, brokers or finders fees from any of the parties hereto, or from any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the parties hereto, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6 Parent Shares. All of the Parent Shares issuable in accordance with this Agreement will be, when so issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free and clear of any liens (other than those created under federal and state securities laws or the Voting Agreement) and not subject to preemptive or other similar rights of the stockholders of Parent.
ARTICLE VI
Pre-Closing Covenants
6.1 Efforts to Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement, the Sellers agree to use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions as may reasonably be necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to cause the conditions set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied, and Buyer agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions as may reasonably be necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to cause the conditions set forth in Article IX to be satisfied as soon as practicable after the date hereof but not later than the Termination Date. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Sellers shall give or cause to be given any notices to third parties required to be given pursuant to any Assumed Contract to which they are a party as a result of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Sellers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain prior to the Closing, and deliver to Buyer at or prior to the Closing, all consents, waivers and approvals required to be obtained under each Assumed Contract to which they are a party or by which they are bound, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer. Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Sellers in the Sellers efforts to obtain the aforementioned consents, including by providing such information as the other contracting parties may reasonably request.
6.2 Conduct of the Businesses. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, the Sellers shall conduct the Businesses in the ordinary and normal course of business, consistent with past practice; make ordinary marketing, advertising, promotional and other budgeted expenditures and implement ordinary pricing and promotional strategies in amounts generally comparable with the level of such strategies for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2006; and use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve and maintain the ongoing operations, organization and assets of the Business and maintain the goodwill of the Businesses
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franchisees, customers and others having business relations with the Sellers. Further, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the period from the date hereof to the Closing Date, except as may be first approved by Buyer in writing, or as is otherwise expressly permitted or required by this Agreement, neither Seller shall:
(a) Cancel, encumber, or in any way discharge, terminate, adversely modify or amend or impair any Assumed Contract or enter into, modify, amend or terminate any Material Contract, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or commit any act or fail to take any action that would cause a material breach of any such Assumed Contract.
(b) Waive, modify, alter, reduce or compromise any amounts payable by any Franchisee, except for amounts due and owing to either Seller prior to the Closing; provided, that such action will not waive, modify, alter, reduce or compromise any amount payable by the Franchisee to Buyer on or after the Closing Date.
(c) Sell or dispose of any of the Purchased Assets, except for sales of inventory, immaterial sales or other dispositions, each in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(d) Create or suffer or permit the creation of any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any of the Purchased Assets or with respect thereto, unless such Encumbrance will be discharged prior to the Closing.
(e) Implement any layoffs that could implicate the WARN Act.
(f) Take any action that would prevent either Seller from consummating the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
(g) Knowingly violate any applicable Legal Requirement.
(h) Make any capital commitment, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $25,000, other than those to be paid for in full prior to the Closing and entering into and making payments under the Filter Contract.
(i) Take, or fail to take, any other action which would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach or inaccuracy in any of the representations or warranties of the Sellers contained in this Agreement.
(j) Enter into any transaction whereby either Seller receives an advance or lump sum payment that provides value or a discount to future value for a period in excess of six (6) months.
(k) Enter into any Real Property Lease.
(l) Agree or commit, whether in writing or otherwise, to take any of the actions specified in the foregoing clauses.
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6.3 Access and Investigation. The Sellers will permit Parent, Buyer and their respective Representatives to have reasonable access, prior to the Closing Date, to the properties and to the books and records of the Sellers during normal working hours and upon reasonable advance notice, to familiarize itself with, access and investigate the Sellers properties, Businesses and operating and financial conditions. As promptly as practicable after the end of each month ended after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, the Sellers shall deliver to Parent unaudited consolidated financial statements of MFFB as at and for the year through the end of the most recently completed fiscal month (each such report, an Other Interim Report).
6.4 Business Plan. Prior to the Closing Date, Buyer and the Sellers will cooperate in good faith to develop a plan to address co-branding of the GAC and Parents Affiliates existing franchise systems (the Business Plan). Buyer and the Sellers will cooperate in good faith to fully implement the Business Plan, including executing additional documents or taking any other actions contemplated by, or reasonably necessary to implement, the Business Plan. Each Seller shall provide Buyer with all records and information reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out this Section 6.4.
6.5 Exclusivity. The Sellers agree that neither of them nor any of their members or officers shall, and that they shall each use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause their Affiliates, employees, agents and representatives (including any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by them) not to (and shall not authorize any of them to) directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries with respect to, or the making, submission or announcement of, any offer or proposal from any Person (other than Buyer or Parent) concerning any proposal for a merger, sale of substantial assets (including the license of any assets), sale of shares of stock or securities of either Seller, business combination involving either of the Sellers, or other takeover or business combination transaction involving either of the Sellers (an Acquisition Proposal); (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any nonpublic information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any respect with, any Acquisition Proposal; (iii) engage in discussions with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal (except to inform such Person that these restrictions exist); (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal; or (v) enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or commitment contemplating any Acquisition Proposal or transaction contemplated thereby or requiring opposition to or seeking to prevent or undermine the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Sellers will immediately cease any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Third Parties conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.
6.6 Change of Name. Within ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date, (a) GACCF shall amend its Organizational Documents and take all other actions necessary to change its name to a name that does not include GACCF, Great American Cookies or anything similar to GACCF or Great American Cookies (b) GAM shall amend its Organizational Documents and take all other actions necessary to change its name to a name that does not include GAM or anything similar to GAM, (c) each Seller shall take all actions requested by Buyer to allow Buyer to change or incorporate GACCF, GAM or Great American Cookies into Buyers name (or the names of any of its Affiliates), and (d) MFFB
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shall cause each of its Affiliates to amend their Organizational Documents, if necessary, and take all other actions necessary to change their names, if applicable, to names that do not include GACCF, GAM, Great American Cookies, or anything similar to GACCF, GAM or Great American Cookies.
6.7 Notice of Developments. The Sellers shall promptly advise Buyer, and Buyer or Parent, as the case may be, shall promptly advise the Sellers, in writing of any (a) event, circumstance or development that results (or would reasonably be expected to result on the Closing Date) in a breach of any representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement and (b) any material failure of the Sellers, Parent or Buyer, as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy any condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided that no disclosure pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be deemed to amend or supplement any provision of this Agreement or any disclosure schedule hereto, or to prevent or cure any misrepresentation, breach of warranty or breach of covenant.
6.8 Continuation of Businesses.
(a) Buyer shall, with Sellers cooperation, (i) revise the Domestic UFOC to include information required under the UFOC Guidelines concerning Buyer, Parent and any changes in the domestic franchise program Buyer intends to make, (ii) request informal advisory opinions from state franchise administrators in order to determine which states, if any, will permit Buyer to tack the registration of its franchise program onto the existing registrations of GACCF, and (iii) prepare and file the initial registration of Buyers Uniform Franchise Offering Circular with appropriate state franchise administrators.
(b) Buyer shall, with Sellers cooperation, amend any disclosure document relating to any pending international franchise transaction that does not close prior to the Closing Date to include required information about Buyer, Parent and any changes Buyer intends to make in the documentation for international franchises.
(c) The Sellers shall cooperate with Buyer to minimize the possibility that any prospective Franchisee will decide not to consummate a pending domestic or international transaction on account of Sellers sale or Buyers acquisition of the Great American Cookies franchise system.
6.9 Regulatory Filings. Each of Parent and MFFB shall supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon as practicable. Each of Parent and MFFB, acting solely through counsel, will (i) promptly notify the other of any written communication to that party from any Governmental Authority and, subject to the HSR Act, if practicable, permit the other party to review in advance any proposed written communication to any such Governmental Authority and incorporate such other partys reasonable comments thereto, (ii) not agree to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion with any such Governmental Authority in respect of any filing, investigation or inquiry concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby unless it consults with the other party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental
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Authority, gives the other party the opportunity to attend and (iii) furnish the other party with copies of all correspondence, filings and written communications between it and its Affiliates and their respective representatives on one hand, and any such Governmental Authority and its respective staff on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. If any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as violative of the HSR Act or any other law, or if any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or administrative order is enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by a Governmental Authority that would make the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or would otherwise prohibit or materially impair or delay the consummation thereof, each of Parent and MFFB shall cooperate in all respects with the other and use its commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any and all objections as may be asserted with respect to this Agreement under the HSR Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and MFFB shall not be required to take any commercially unreasonable action that substantially impairs the overall benefits expected to be realized from the consummation of the transactions set forth herein.
6.10 Maintenance of Real Property. The Sellers shall maintain the Real Property, including all of the Improvements, in substantially the same condition as existed on the date of this Agreement, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and shall not demolish or remove any of the existing Improvements, or erect new improvements on the Real Property or any portion thereof, without the prior written consent of Buyer.
6.11 Leases. Neither Seller shall amend, modify, extend, renew or terminate any Lease, nor shall Sellers enter into any new lease sublease, license or other agreement for the use or occupancy of any Real Property, without the prior written consent of Buyer or Parent.
6.12 Title Insurance. The Sellers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Buyer in obtaining the Title Policy in form and substance as set forth in Article VIII, within the time periods set forth therein, including removing from title any liens that are not Permitted Encumbrances. The Sellers shall provide the Title Company with any affidavits, releases, indemnities, memoranda or other assurances reasonably requested by the Title Company to issue the Title Policy. All fees, costs and expenses with respect to the Title Commitment, the Title Policy and the Survey shall be paid one-half by Buyer and one-half by the Sellers.
6.13 Financing. The Sellers shall cooperate and take all actions reasonably requested by Parent in connection with Parent obtaining the financing it needs in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, provided that the foregoing does not require the Sellers to execute any agreements, certificates or other documents not expressly provided for in this Agreement.
6.14 Employees. Prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause Parent to offer jobs to the employees of the Sellers set forth on the attached Schedule 6.14. These job offers (a) shall become effective only upon the occurrence of the Closing, (b) shall reflect terms and conditions of employment that are substantially similar in the aggregate to those terms and conditions under which such employees are employed by the Sellers as of the Closing Date, and (c) shall further be conditioned upon such employees being available to begin work for Buyer as
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of the Closing Date, subject to any reinstatement or leave rights they may have under the applicable leave policies of the Sellers or applicable law. Employees of the Sellers who accept such offers of employment shall be referred to herein as Transferred Employees.
ARTICLE VII
Post-Closing Covenants
7.1 Employees.
(a) Following the Closing Date, if requested by Buyer and permitted under Parents 401(k) plan, the Sellers shall take all actions necessary to permit the rollover in cash (but not outstanding loan promissory notes for participant loans) of account balances (but not outstanding loans) of all Transferred Employees from the Seller 401(k) plan in which such employees participated as of the Closing Date to a 401(k) plan maintained by Buyer or an Affiliate of Buyer.
(b) The Sellers hereby agree that any current or former employee of the Businesses who (i) as of the Closing Date is short-term disabled or receiving or entitled to receive short-term disability benefits and who subsequently becomes eligible to receive long-term disability benefits, or (ii) as of the Closing Date is receiving or entitled to receive long-term disability benefits, shall become eligible or continue to be eligible, as applicable, to receive long-term disability benefits under a Sellers or its Affiliates long-term disability plan unless and until such individual is no longer disabled.
(c) No provision of this Agreement, express or implied: (i) shall be construed to establish, amend, or modify any benefit plan, program, agreement, or arrangement; (ii) shall limit the ability of Buyer or any of its Affiliates to amend, modify or terminate any benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement at any time assumed, established, sponsored or maintained by any of them; (iii) is intended to confer upon any current or former employee (including any Transferred Employee) or any other Person any right to employment or continued employment for any period of time by reason of this Agreement, or any right to a particular term or condition of employment; or (iv) is intended to confer upon any Person (including any Transferred Employee) any rights as a third party beneficiary.
7.2 Taxes Related to Purchase of Assets; Tax Cooperation.
(a) Transfer Taxes.
(i) All deed, stamp, transfer, documentary, sales and use, and registration taxes, and conveyance fees, recording charges and other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, the Transfer Taxes) shall be paid one half by Buyer and one half by the Sellers (such obligation to be joint and several as between Buyer, on the one hand, and the Sellers, on the other hand). The provisions of this Section 7.2 and no other provision, shall govern the economic burden of Transfer Taxes.
(ii) Except to the extent required to be filed by the Sellers, Buyer shall properly file on a timely basis all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to
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all Transfer Taxes and Buyer and the Sellers shall cooperate in good faith to minimize, to the fullest extent possible under applicable laws, the amount of any such Transfer Taxes payable in connection therewith. For Tax Returns required to be prepared by Buyer pursuant to this Section 7.2(a)(ii), Buyer shall collect the proper amount from the Sellers and pay the Transfer Taxes shown on such Tax Return. Buyer shall use reasonable best efforts to provide to the Sellers any Tax Returns which Buyer is required to prepare and file at least ten (10) days before such Tax Returns are due to be filed. For Tax Returns required to be prepared by the Sellers pursuant to this Section 7.2(a)(ii), the Sellers shall collect the proper amount from Buyer and pay the Transfer Taxes shown on such Tax Return. The Sellers shall use reasonable best efforts to provide Buyer any Tax Returns which they are required to prepare and file at least ten (10) days before such Tax Returns are due to be filed.
(b) Straddle Period Taxes. Buyer shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed any Tax Returns other than any Tax Return based upon or related to income or receipts with respect to the Purchased Assets for taxable periods which begin before the Closing Date and end after the Closing Date (a Straddle Period). Such Tax Returns shall be prepared or caused to be prepared by Buyer. Buyer shall submit drafts of such Tax Returns to the Sellers for approval by the Sellers (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) no later than twenty (20) days prior to the date that such Tax Returns are required to be filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority, including extensions. In the event that the Sellers and Buyer cannot reach agreement with respect to any items shown on such Tax Returns, a nationally recognized accounting firm mutually acceptable to the Sellers and Buyer shall prepare the Tax Returns. The costs related to having the accounting firm prepare the Tax Returns shall be borne equally by the Sellers and Buyer. The Sellers shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to the portion of the Taxes shown on a Tax Return approved by the Sellers which relates to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date promptly upon receiving notice from Buyer that the Sellers are liable under this Section 7.2(b) for such Taxes but in no event later than five (5) Business Days before the Tax Return reflecting such liability is required to be filed. For purposes of this Section 7.2(b), in the case of sales, use and other similar Taxes that are payable for a Straddle Period, the portion of such Tax that relates to the portion of such taxable period ending on the Closing Date shall be deemed equal to the amount that would be payable if the relevant taxable period ended on and included the Closing Date.
(c) Property Taxes. The Sellers and Buyer shall allocate payment of property Taxes payable in connection with the Purchased Assets as of the Closing Date. The portion of such property Taxes that relates to the portion of such taxable period ending on and including the Closing Date shall be deemed to be the amount of such Taxes for the entire taxable period multiplied by a faction the numerator of which is the number of days in the taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire taxable period. Buyer and the Sellers shall also cooperate with respect to the preparation and filing of any property Tax Returns (and payment of any property Taxes) in a manner similar to the procedure for the preparation and filing of Tax Returns (and payment of Taxes) for a Straddle Period.
(d) Cooperation. The Sellers and Buyer shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) cooperate fully with each other and make available or cause to be made available to each other for consultation, inspection and copying (at such other partys expense) in a timely
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fashion such personnel, Tax data, relevant Tax Returns or portions thereof and filings, files, books, records, documents, financial, technical and operating data, computer records and other information as may be reasonably requested, including, without limitation, (a) for the preparation by such other party of any Tax Returns or (b) in connection with any Tax audit or proceeding including one party (or an Affiliate thereof) to the extent such Tax audit or proceeding relates to or arises from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.3 Nonsolicitation.
(a) For a period of five (5) years from the date of this Agreement, neither Seller nor MFFB shall, and MFFB shall cause each of its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf, as an agent of, on behalf of or in conjunction with, or as a member, partner or shareholder of, any other firm, corporation or other entity or Person induce any former employee, licensee, independent contractor, manufacturer, supplier or Franchisee of either Seller with respect to the Businesses, to terminate his or her employment or relationship, as applicable, with Buyer or its Affiliates.
(b) Buyer and Parent are entitled (without limitation of any other remedy) to specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to any breach or threatened breach of the covenants in this Section 7.3, without the need to post any bond. If any court of competent jurisdiction at any time deems the time periods for the foregoing covenants too lengthy or the scope of the covenants too broad, the restrictive time periods will be deemed to be the longest period permissible by law, and the scope will be deemed to comprise the broadest scope permissible by law under the circumstances. It is the intent of the parties to protect and preserve the Businesses and the Purchased Assets and therefore the parties agree and direct that the time period and scope of the foregoing covenants will be the maximum permissible duration (not to exceed five (5) years) and size.
7.4 Further Assurances. From time to time following the Closing, each party shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such instruments and documents as a party may reasonably request or as may be otherwise necessary to more effectively consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Following the Closing, the Sellers agree to forward to Buyer any correspondence or other communications addressed to the Sellers received by them that relates to the Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities.
7.5 Audit. The Sellers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause KPMG LLP, within seventy (70) days of the Closing Date, to (x) audit the financial statements of each Seller for 2005, 2006 and 2007 in a manner meeting the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (the SEC Financial Statements); (y) review the proposed pro forma adjustments specific to the Sellers financial information to be included in the pro forma financial statements that Parent intends to file in reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act; and (z) take such other similar actions reasonably requested by Buyer, including (i) consenting to the proper use of its report(s) on the audited financial statements included in the SEC Financial Statements; and (ii) performing a SAS 100 review of any unaudited financial statements of the Sellers included in the SEC Financial Statements. In connection with the foregoing, the Sellers shall use their reasonable efforts to assist Buyer in the preparation of such SEC Financial Statements, at Buyers expense, including without limitation providing Buyers Representatives
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with full access during normal business hours, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the Sellers, to all relevant books, records, work papers, information and employees and auditors of such Persons, to the extent necessary in connection with the preparation of any such SEC Financial Statements. Buyer shall reimburse the Sellers for costs incurred by the Sellers in connection with the preparation of the SEC Financial Statements and their compliance with the Sellers obligations under this Section 7.5, including expenses incurred with the Sellers engagement of KPMG LLP. The Sellers shall advise Buyer should the Sellers become aware that KPMG LLPs charges in respect of the Sellers obligations under this Section 7.5 will exceed $110,000. The Sellers shall act in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to ensure that the cost of their compliance obligations under this Section 7.5 are minimized to the extent possible.
7.6 Confidentiality. Except as otherwise stated herein, from and after the date hereof, for a period of three (3) years, the Sellers shall, and shall cause each of their Affiliates to, treat as confidential and use commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard and not to use, except as expressly agreed in writing by Buyer, any and all the Seller Information included within the Purchased Assets, including the Intellectual Property, in each case using the standard of care necessary to prevent the unauthorized use, dissemination or disclosure of such Seller Information. Such three (3) year limitation shall not apply to the Seller Recipes and Processes, and the Sellers shall, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to, treat the Seller Recipes and Processes as confidential and use commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard the secrecy of, and refrain from using, any of the Seller Recipes and Processes following the Closing Date. After the Closing Date, the Sellers and their respective Affiliates shall not make any representations to the public that any recipes or processes used by the Sellers or their respective Affiliates are identical or substantially similar to the Seller Recipes and Processes. For purposes of this Section 7.6, from and after the date hereof, confidential information included within the Purchased Assets shall be deemed to be Seller Information notwithstanding the fact that such information was available to or in the possession of the Sellers or any of their Affiliates prior to the Closing. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7.6 shall prohibit either Seller or its Affiliates from making public disclosures required by applicable Legal Requirements, according to Section 12.1.
7.7 Solvency. From the time of execution of this Agreement through July 31, 2008, each of the Sellers and MFFB shall continue to pay their debts as they mature or become due, including the March 15, 2008 payment due under the Indenture.
7.8 Restrictions on Sale of Parent Shares. During the six (6) month period following the Closing Date (such period herein referred to as the Initial Period), neither Seller shall, directly or indirectly, through an affiliate or associate (as such terms are defined in the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act), or otherwise, offer, sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant an option for sale, or otherwise dispose of, or transfer or grant any rights with respect thereto in any manner either privately or publicly (each, a Transfer) any of the Parent Shares or Shares of the Parent acquired by the Sellers pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of Parent (each an Adjustment) affecting Parent Shares (together with the Parent Shares, Securities), or enter into any agreement or any transaction that has the effect of transferring, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership
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of the Securities, whether any such agreement or transaction is to be settled by delivery of the Securities; provided, however, that the Sellers may pledge their rights in the Parent Shares in accordance with the Indenture. Following the Initial Period, the restrictions on Transfer provided for in this Section 7.8 shall lapse with respect to 25% of the number of Parent Shares owned by the Sellers in the aggregate (taking into account and proportionally adjusting for any Adjustments occurring during such period) and the Sellers may Transfer such Parent Shares, in open market transactions without restriction. On the first day of each of the first three consecutive three month periods following the six month anniversary of the Closing Date, the restrictions on Transfer provided for in this Section 7.8 shall lapse with respect to 25% of the aggregate number of Parent Shares paid to the Sellers at Closing, (taking into account and proportionally adjusting for any Adjustments occurring during such period) and the Sellers may Transfer such Parent Shares, in open market transactions without restriction, subject to an effective Registration Statement (as defined in Section 7.9) covering such Parent Shares or an available exemption from registration.
7.9 Registration. The Sellers shall have registration rights in accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement, dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the Registration Rights Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things, Parent shall agree to use its commercially reasonable efforts to (a) file a registration statement on Form S-3, if eligible, or other appropriate form (the Registration Statement) covering the Parent Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement, with the SEC within 180 days following the Closing Date and (b) cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably possible after such filing.
7.10 Agreement to Vote. At all times prior to a Transfer (as defined above) of Parent Shares, at every meeting of the stockholders of Parent called with respect to any of the following, and at every adjournment thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of Parent, the Sellers shall appear at such meeting (in person or by proxy) and shall vote or consent the Parent Shares (i) in favor of adoption of each proposal recommended by the Board of Directors of Parent for adoption by the stockholders and (ii) against any proposal for which the Board of Directors of Parent does not support. Prior to the termination of this Agreement, each Seller covenants and agrees not to enter into any agreement or understanding with any person to vote or give instructions in any manner inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. Each Seller agrees to enter into a Voting Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the Voting Agreement), that appoints a designee of Parent its proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or act by written consent with respect to the Parent Shares held by the Seller.
7.11 Access to Records. For two (2) years after the Closing, each party will permit the other parties and their Affiliates reasonable access on not less than five (5) business days prior written notice, during normal business hours, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting party and in a manner that will not unreasonably interfere with the normal operations of the providing party, to and the right to make copies of the books and records of such party relating to either Seller and/or the Purchased Assets existing prior to Closing and in such providing partys possession or control; provided, however, that the requesting party shall only use such information (a) to protect or enforce its rights or perform its obligations under this
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Agreement and any agreements entered into among the parties in connection herewith or (b) in connection with tax or other regulatory filings, litigation or financial reporting. In addition, the providing party will make available to the requesting party or its Affiliate, upon reasonable request and to the extent still employed by the providing party, personnel who are familiar with any such matter requested.
7.12 Product Formulation Royalties. From and after the Closing Date, MFFB or its Affiliates, as applicable, shall (i) ,within five (5) Business Days of its receipt of any Product Formulation Royalties that are to be paid to Buyer hereunder, pay Buyer such Product Formulation Royalties and provide Buyer with a notice detailing such amounts, which notice shall include sufficient detail setting forth the calculation of such amounts and (ii) until payment of such Product Formulation Royalties to Buyer, hold such amounts in trust for Buyer. Within fifteen (15) days of the collection or receipt by MFFB or its Affiliates, as applicable, of any Product Formulation Royalties, MFFB or its Affiliates shall pay to, or as directed by, Buyer such amounts owing Buyer in immediately available funds by wire transfer. All payments pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall be made in accordance with the allocation schedule for the applicable Vendor Agreements attached hereto as Schedule 7.12 (the Vendor Allocation Schedule). Notwithstanding the foregoing, MFFB shall use, and shall cause its Affiliates to use, good faith efforts to have the counterparty to each Vendor Agreement pay Buyer the Product Formulation Royalties directly, based upon the Vendor Allocation Schedule. In addition, MFFB shall use its good faith efforts, or cause its Affiliates to use good faith efforts, to assist Buyer in transitioning any services received pursuant to a Vendor Agreement to Buyer as Buyer may request.
7.13 Lease Obligations.
(a) General. Except as expressly set forth in this Section 7.13, MFFB and its Affiliates shall retain all liability for those GACCF locations set forth on Schedule 7.13(a) for which MFFB or one of its Affiliates is either the tenant under the lease or guarantees the obligations under the lease (collectively, Lease Locations). If Buyer terminates the Franchise Agreement for any Franchisee in a Lease Location, Buyer shall use its good faith efforts to provide MFFB at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination. If MFFB, or any of its successors and assigns of any MFFB Other Franchise Brand, terminates any MFFB Other Franchise Brand at a Lease Location, MFFB shall use its good faith efforts to provide Buyer at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination.
(b) Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, if any Franchise Agreement in respect of any Lease Location is terminated by Buyer, with or without Cause, or is terminated by the Franchisee of such Lease Location, Buyer and MFFB shall each use their reasonable best efforts to (i) within the first ninety (90) days following the effective date of such termination, locate another Person to operate the Franchise at such Lease Location, (ii) between ninety-one (91) and one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of such termination, find a suitable franchisee from any brand under which Buyer or MFFB, or either of their Affiliates, conducts a franchise business, to operate a franchise at such Lease Location, and (iii) from one hundred eighty-one (181) days following the effective date of such termination, either find any Person to operate any business at such Lease Location or negotiate a settlement, reasonably acceptable to each party, with the landlord terminating the lease for such Lease Location.
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(c) For purposes of this Section 7.13, Cause shall mean a termination of a Franchise Agreement by Buyer due to a breach of the Franchise Agreement by the Franchisee, which breach is not cured, or capable of being cured, in the time permitted under the applicable Franchise Agreement or a termination of the Franchise Agreement due to negligence by the Franchisee.
(d) Buyer Terminations. From the Closing Date until, but excluding, the first day following the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date (the Lease Obligation Date), if Buyer terminates a Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (i) without Cause, Buyer will be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with such Lease Location following such termination, (ii) with Cause, MFFB shall be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with such Lease Location. From and after the Lease Obligation Date, if Buyer terminates a Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (i) without Cause, Buyer will be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with such Lease Location following such termination, (ii) with Cause, Buyer and MFFB shall each be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with such Lease Location.
(e) Franchisee Terminations. From the Closing Date until, but excluding, the Lease Obligation Date, if a Franchisee terminates its Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location, MFFB shall be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with such Lease Location. From and after the Lease Obligation Date, if a Franchisee terminates its Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (other than as a result of MFFB terminating such Franchisees right to operate a MFFB Other Franchise Brand at such Lease Location), Buyer and MFFB shall each be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with such Lease Location.
(f) MFFB Terminations. From the Closing Date until, but excluding, the Lease Obligation Date, if MFFB terminates a lease or sublease in respect of a Lease Location for any reason, MFFB shall be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with such Lease Location. From and after the Lease Obligation Date, if MFFB terminates a lease or sublease in respect of a Lease Location (other than as a result of MFFB terminating such Franchisees right to operate a MFFB Other Franchise Brand at such Lease Location) for a Lease Breach, Buyer and MFFB shall each be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with such Lease Location; provided, however, that MFFB provides Buyer at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of its intent to terminate such lease or sublease. For purposes of this Section 7.13(f), Lease Breach shall mean a breach by a Franchisee of a lease or sublease in respect of a Lease Location, which breach is not cured, or capable of being cured, in the time permitted under the applicable lease or sublease.
7.14 Intellectual Property. The Sellers agrees to use commercially reasonably efforts to take, or cause to be taken all actions as Buyer may reasonably request or as may be otherwise necessary to assist with the registration and transfer of all foreign trademarks set forth on Schedule 7.14.
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7.15 Franchise Business.
(a) Buyer shall, with the Sellers cooperation, revise the Domestic UFOC to include information required under the UFOC Guidelines concerning Buyer, Parent and any changes in the domestic franchise program Buyer intends to make.
(b) Buyer shall, with the Sellers cooperation, amend any disclosure document relating to any international franchise transaction pending as of the Closing Date to include required information about Buyer, Parent and any changes Buyer intends to make in the documentation for international franchises.
(c) The Sellers shall cooperate with Buyer to minimize the possibility that any prospective Franchisee will decide not to consummate a pending domestic or international transaction on account of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.16 New Settlement Agreement. Each of Parent and MFFB agree that they will make all payments of the Release Consideration and perform all Undertakings, in each case, as contemplated by the New Settlement Agreement and will indemnify and hold harmless Parent, Buyer, the Sellers, MFFB and their Affiliates, as applicable, for any and all Damages incurred by them by reason of any failure by Parent or MFFB, as applicable, to make such payments or to so perform.
7.17 Waste Water Filter. MFFB agrees to replace the waste water filter at the GAM manufacturing facility as contemplated by the Filter Contract. Upon completion, the waste water filter will be in good condition and repair and sufficient for the operation of the GAC Manufacturing Business. MFFB shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and Buyer for any and all costs and expenses related to the Filter Contract and to any other expenses paid to repair and replace the waste water filter that is to be replaced pursuant to the Filter Contract.
ARTICLE VIII
Conditions Precedent to Parents and Buyers Obligation to Close
The Buyers obligation to purchase the Assets and Parents and the Buyers obligation to take the other actions required to be taken by Buyer or Parent at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Buyer or Parent, as appropriate, in whole or in part):
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8.1 Truth of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and such representation and warranty not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of such earlier date.
8.2 Performance of Agreements. Each of the covenants and agreements of the Sellers to be performed or complied with by them at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof, shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.
8.3 Certificate. Each Seller shall have delivered (and caused to be delivered) to Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by or on behalf of such Seller, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of this Agreement.
8.4 No Injunction. No court or other Government Authority shall have issued an Order, which shall then be in effect, restraining or prohibiting the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.5 Governmental and Other Approvals. All of the Government Authorizations and third-party consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 8.5 shall have been received and shall be in full force and effect. Buyer shall have received copies of releases of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) against any asset, property or right of the Purchased Assets. The applicable waiting periods, if any, and any extensions thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired or otherwise been terminated.
8.6 Indenture Lien Release. The Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer evidence satisfactory to Buyer in its sole discretion that the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) has taken all action and delivered all documents necessary to obtain a full and unconditional release of the Purchased Assets from the security interests created by the Indenture, Notes and Collateral Agreements (as such terms are defined in the Indenture).
8.7 Transition Services. The Sellers shall have entered into the Transition Services Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8.8 Escrow Agreement. The Sellers and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8.9 Registration Rights Agreement. Each Seller shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8.10 Voting Agreement. Each Seller shall have entered into the Voting Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8.11 Deed. GAM shall have executed and delivered the Deed, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
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8.12 No Material Adverse Effect. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any event, circumstance or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.13 Financing. The Parent shall have obtained on terms and conditions satisfactory to it all of the financing it needs in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.14 Real Property. No damage or destruction or other change has occurred with respect to any of the Owned Real Property or any portion thereof that, individually or in the aggregate, would materially impair the use or occupancy of the Owned Real Property or the operation of the Sellers Businesses as currently conducted thereon.
8.15 Title Insurance. Buyer has obtained a proforma for a title insurance policy from the Title Company in accordance with the Title Commitment, which will insure Buyers fee simple title to the Owned Real Property as of the Closing Date (including all recorded appurtenant easements, insured as separate legal parcels), with gap coverage from the Sellers through the date of recording, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Owned Real Property insured thereunder and which includes all endorsements requested by Buyer. At Closing, the Title Company shall be irrevocably committed to issue a title insurance policy in substantially the same form as such proforma (the Title Policy). The Sellers shall have provided the Title Company with all affidavits, releases, indemnities, memoranda or other assurances requested by the Title Company to issue the Title Policy. All fees, costs and expenses with respect to the Title Commitment, the Title Policy and the Survey shall be paid one-half by Buyer and one-half by the Sellers.
8.16 Closing Deliverables. In addition to any other documents to be delivered or actions to be taken under other provisions of this Agreement, at or prior to the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to Buyer:
(a) One or more executed bills of sale in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer transferring to Buyer or its respective designated Affiliates all Tangible Personal Property.
(b) One or more executed assignment and assumption agreement(s) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer assigning to Buyer or its respective designated Affiliates the Assumed Contracts, including the Leases, to be assigned hereunder.
(c) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Sellers authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by the Sellers and the consummation of the transactions provided for herein.
(d) An executed assignment and assumption of the Intellectual Property Rights, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer.
(e) A non-foreign affidavit from Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc. dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of perjury and in the form required under treasury
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regulations issued pursuant to Code §1445 stating that Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc. is not a foreign person as defined in Code §1445.
(f) Any Seller Recipes and Processes not located at the GAM manufacturing facility.
ARTICLE IX
Conditions Precedent to the Sellers Obligation to Close
All obligations of the Sellers under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part by the Sellers, in their sole discretion:
9.1 Truth of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and Buyer contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and such representation and warranty not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of such earlier date.
9.2 Performance of Agreements. Each of the covenants and agreements of Parent and Buyer to be performed or complied with by Parent or Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof, shall have been duly performed or complied with by each of Parent and Buyer in all material respects.
9.3 Certificate. Parent and Buyer have delivered to the Sellers a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by a duly authorized officer on behalf of Parent and Buyer, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of this Agreement.
9.4 No Injunction. No court or other Government Authority shall have issued an Order, which shall then be in effect, restraining or prohibiting the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby.
9.5 Governmental and Other Approvals. All Government Authorizations and third-party consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 8.5 shall have been received and shall be in full force and effect. The applicable waiting periods, if any, and any extensions thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired or otherwise been terminated.
9.6 Escrow Agreement. Buyer, Parent and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
9.7 Registration Rights Agreement. Parent shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
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9.8 Closing Deliverables. In addition to any other documents to be delivered or actions to be taken under other provisions of this Agreement, at Closing, Parent or Buyer, as applicable, shall deliver to the Sellers the following (Buyers Closing Documents):
(a) The Initial Purchase Price as provided in Sections 3.2 and 3.3.
(b) One or more assignment and assumption agreement(s) assuming the Assumed Liabilities executed by Buyer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Sellers.
(c) A certified copy of the resolutions of Parent and Buyer authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions provided for herein.
ARTICLE X
Termination
10.1 Right to Terminate. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:
(a) by the mutual written consent of Buyer and the Sellers;
(b) by Buyer or the Sellers if the Closing shall not have occurred by January 31, 2008 (the Termination Date);
(c) by Buyer or the Sellers if a court of competent jurisdiction or other Government Authority shall have issued a nonappealable final order, decree or ruling or taken any other action, in each case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated hereby, except if the party relying on such order, decree or ruling or other action has not complied with its obligations under this Agreement;
(d) by the Sellers, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Parent or Buyer set forth in this Agreement that causes the conditions set forth in Article IX to become incapable of fulfillment by the Termination Date, unless waived by the Sellers;
(e) by Parent or Buyer, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Sellers set forth in this Agreement that causes the conditions set forth in Article VIII to become incapable of fulfillment by the Termination Date, unless waived by Buyer or Parent; provided, however, that the party exercising its right to so terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b), 10.1(d) or 10.1(e) shall not have a right to terminate if, at the time of such termination, there exists a breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement that results in the closing conditions set forth in Article VIII or IX, as applicable, not being satisfied.
10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in this Article X, this Agreement shall become null and void and of no further force or effect, and there shall be no liability or obligation hereunder on the part of the Sellers, Parent
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or Buyer, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, members, partners, Affiliates, agents, representatives, heirs, administrators, executors, successors or assigns, except (i) the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Confidentiality Agreement, (ii) the obligations of the parties to this Agreement under Article XI hereof and this Section 10.2 shall survive any such termination and (iii) that Parent shall be obligated to pay to MFFB at the time of such termination a termination fee of $750,000 in the event that all conditions to Closing under Article VIII have been satisfied on or before January 31, 2008, other than the financing condition in Section 8.13 and other than the delivery of documents at Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of any of its covenants or agreements or breach of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement prior to termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
Indemnification; Remedies
11.1 Survival. All representations and warranties made by the Sellers, MFFB, Parent or Buyer, herein, or in any certificate, schedule or exhibit delivered pursuant hereto, shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect until the 9-month anniversary of the Closing Date (the Survival Date), other than in the case of fraud and except as to any matters with respect to which a bona fide written claim shall have been made or action at law or in equity shall have been commenced before such date, in which event survival shall continue (but only with respect to, and to the extent of, such claim or action); provided, however, that the representations and warranties (i) in Section 4.18 shall survive and remain in full force and effect for a period of five (5) years after Closing, (ii) in Section 4.10 shall survive and remain in full force and effect until 30 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for the assessment of Taxes (including all periods of extension, whether automatic or permissive), and (iii) in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.7, 4.21, 5.1, 5.5 and 5.6 (the Core Representations) shall survive and remain in full force and effect indefinitely. Each covenant and agreement of the Sellers and Buyer contained in this Agreement, which by its terms is required to be performed after the Closing Date, shall survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect until such covenant or agreement is performed.
11.2 Indemnification by the Sellers and MFFB. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XI, the Sellers, severally but not jointly, and MFFB jointly and severally with each Seller, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and Parent and their managers, members, officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees, (hereinafter Buyer Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all Damages incurred or sustained by Buyer Indemnified Parties as a result of:
(a) the breach of any representation or warranty of the Sellers or MFFB, as the case may be, contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument furnished to Buyer or Parent by either Seller pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) the breach of, default under or nonfulfillment of any covenant, obligation or agreement of either Seller or MFFB, as the case may be, under this Agreement or the agreements and instruments contemplated herein;
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(c) the Excluded Assets;
(d) any Excluded Liability, including, without limitation, any liability that is based upon the occurrence of events, or actions taken by either Seller, prior to the Closing Date and is not an Assumed Liability; or
(e) any litigation, proceeding or claim by any Person relating to the Businesses as conducted prior to Closing whether or not such litigation, proceeding or claim is set forth on Schedule 4.13(a) or Schedule 4.13(b); or
(f) any and all actions, suits, or proceedings, incident to any of the foregoing.
11.3 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XI, Buyer and Parent will each indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Sellers and their respective stockholders, managers, officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees (hereinafter Seller Indemnified Parties and, together with the Buyer Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Party) from and against any and all Damages incurred or sustained by the Sellers Indemnified Parties as a result of:
(a) the breach of any representation or warranty of Buyer or Parent contained under this Agreement or any certificate or other instrument furnished by Buyer or Parent to the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) the breach of, default under of nonfulfillment of any covenant, obligation or agreement by Buyer or Parent under this Agreement or in the agreements and instruments contemplated herein;
(c) the operation of the Businesses and the ownership of the Purchased Assets by Buyer following the Closing, except with respect to any Excluded Liability;
(d) any Assumed Liability; and
(e) any and all actions, suits, or proceedings incident to any of the foregoing.
11.4 Limitation on Liability.
(a) None of the Sellers, MFFB or Parent nor Buyer shall have any liability for Damages under, respectively, Section 11.2(a) or Section 11.3(a), and neither the Seller Indemnified Parties nor the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall have the right to seek indemnification under, respectively, Section 11.2(a) or Section 11.3(a) until the aggregate amount of the Damages incurred by such Indemnified Party exceeds $200,000 (the Minimum Loss), provided that the Minimum Loss shall not apply to any Damages (and there shall be first-dollar liability) resulting from (i) any breach or misrepresentation of any Core Representations and Sections 4.10 and 4.18 or (ii) any payment obligation of either Seller under Section 3.2(g). After the Minimum Loss is exceeded, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to indemnification for the entire amount of its Damages in excess of the Minimum Loss, subject to the limitations on recovery and recourse set forth in this Article XI.
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(b) The aggregate liability of the Sellers and MFFB on the one hand, and Buyer and Parent, on the other, for all Damages under Section 11.2 or Section 11.3, as applicable, shall not exceed the Final Purchase Price (the Cap); provided, however, that the aggregate liability of the Sellers and MFFB for all Damages under Section 11.2(a) resulting from a breach or misrepresentation of Section 4.18 shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000). The limitations set forth in this Section 11.4 or elsewhere in this Article XI shall not apply to any breach of a Core Representation or in the case of fraud.
(c) In determining the amount of Damages in respect of a claim under this Article XI, there shall be deducted an amount equal to the amount of any third-party insurance proceeds actually received by the Indemnified Party making such claim with respect to such Damages, less the cost of any increase in insurance premiums over the projected period of such increase as a result of making a claim for such Damages, provided that there shall be no obligation to make a claim, and no offset against Damages shall be made if a party reasonably believes that making a claim for such Damages is reasonably likely to result in a non-renewal of the insurance policy.
11.5 Other Indemnification Provisions.
(a) To the extent that any representations and warranties of the Sellers, Parent or Buyer, as applicable, have been breached, thereby entitling the non-breaching party to indemnification pursuant to Section 11.2 and Section 11.3 hereof, it is expressly agreed and acknowledged by the parties that solely for purposes of calculation of Damages in connection with any right to indemnification, the representations and warranties of either or the Sellers or Parent and Buyer, as applicable, that have been breached shall be deemed not qualified by any references therein to materiality generally, Sellers Knowledge or to whether or not any breach or inaccuracy results in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Following the Closing, the parties rights to indemnification pursuant to this Article XI shall, except for equitable relief and specific performance of covenants that survive Closing and for claims under Section 12.4 of this Agreement, be the sole and exclusive remedy available to the parties with respect to any matter arising under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, other than for claims of fraud.
11.6 Procedure for Indemnification. The procedure to be followed in connection with any claim for indemnification by Buyer Indemnified Parties under Section 11.2 or Seller Indemnified Parties under Section 11.3 or any claims by one party against the other is set forth below:
(a) Notice. Whenever any Indemnified Party shall have received notice that a claim has been asserted or threatened against such Indemnified Party, which, if valid, would subject the indemnifying party (the Indemnifying Party) to an indemnity obligation under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of such claim; provided, however, that failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations hereunder, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby. Any such notice must be made to the Indemnifying Party not later than the expiration of the applicable survival period specified in Section 11.1 above.
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(b) Defense of a Third Party Claim. If any third party shall notify any party with respect to any matter (a Third Party Claim) that may give rise to a claim for indemnification against any other party under this Article XI, the Indemnifying Party will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim so long as (i) the Indemnifying Party provides the Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party will have the financial resources to defend against the Third Party Claim and fulfill its indemnification obligations hereunder, (ii) uses counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, (iii) the Indemnifying Party acknowledges its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party hereafter in respect of such matters and (iv) the relief sought is monetary damages.
(c) After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall not, as long as the Indemnifying Party diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that if counsel defending such Third Party Claim shall advise the parties of a potential conflict of interest arising from the existence of one or more legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party which are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliates, then the Indemnified Party may retain separate counsel to defend it and in that event the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party if applicable under this Article XI. Subject to the proviso to the foregoing sentence, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Parties shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnified Party for any period during which the Indemnifying Party have not assumed the defense thereof if they ultimately are found to be liable to indemnify the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnifying Party choose to defend or prosecute any Third Party Claim, all of the parties hereto shall cooperate in the defense or prosecution thereof.
(d) If an Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of an action or proceeding, then without the Indemnified Partys written consent, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle or compromise any Third Party Claim or consent to the entry of any judgment which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the delivery by the claimant or other plaintiff to the Indemnified Party of a written release from all liability in respect of such Third Party Claim or if such settlement shall include injunctive or other relief that affects or relates to the right or obligations of such Indemnified Party, other than the obligation to pay monetary damages where such damages have been satisfied in full by the Indemnifying Party or their respective Affiliates.
11.7 Non-Third Party Claims. Within thirty (30) Business Days after a party obtains knowledge that it has sustained any Damages not involving a Third Party Claim or action which such party reasonably believes may give rise to a claim for indemnification from another party hereunder, such Indemnified Party shall deliver notice of such claim to the Indemnifying Party, together with a brief description of the facts and data which support the claim for indemnification (a Claim Notice); provided, however, that failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations hereunder,
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except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby. Any Claim Notice must be made to the Indemnifying Party not later than the expiration of the applicable survival period specified in Section 11.1 above. If the Indemnifying Party does not deliver notice to the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) Business Days following its receipt of a Claim Notice that the Indemnifying Party disputes its liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article XI (an Indemnification Objection) the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which event the other party will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to them.
11.8 Indemnification Payments. In the event any Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article XI for Damages described in such Claim Notice, such Buyer Indemnified Party shall be entitled to obtain such indemnification first out of the then remaining balance of the Indemnity Escrow Amount, and then, if the Indemnity Escrow Amount is insufficient to satisfy such indemnification claim, such Buyer Indemnified Party may seek indemnification from the Sellers or MFFB for the unreimbursed portion of such claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article XI for Damages described in such Claim Notice, the Sellers and MFFB shall satisfy their obligation to indemnify for such Damages by payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by such Buyer Indemnified Party.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Public Disclosure or Communications. Except to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements (including, without limitation, the UFOC Guidelines, securities laws applicable to MFFB, and the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market and securities laws applicable to Parent), none of the Parent, Buyer, MFFB, the Sellers or any of their Affiliates shall issue any press release or public announcement of any kind concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties; and, in the event that any such public announcement, release or disclosure is required by applicable Legal Requirements (including, without limitation, the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market and securities laws), the disclosing party will provide the other parties, to the extent practicable and permissible under the circumstances, reasonable opportunity to comment on any such announcement, release or disclosure prior to the making thereof. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that each of Parent and MFFB shall be required to file a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and attaching as an exhibit thereto a copy of this Agreement.
12.2 Notices. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by telecopier (with written confirmation of receipt); provided that a copy is mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) received by the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):
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If to the Sellers or MFFB:
Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC
2855 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
Attention: Michael Ward, EVP and General Counsel
Facsimile: (801) 736-5944
If to Buyer or Parent:
NexCen Brands, Inc.
1330 Avenue of the Americas
34th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Sue Nam, General Counsel
Facsimile: (212) 277-1160
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
655 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Attention: Mark D. Director, Esq.
Facsimile: (202) 879-5200
12.3 Entire Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest. This Agreement and the certificates, exhibits, schedules, documents, instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto: (a) constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation the letter of intent dated as of December 7, 2007, (b) are not intended to confer upon any other Person, either explicitly or implicitly, any equitable or legal rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever hereunder, and (c) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, that Buyer may, without the consent of the Sellers, (i) assign any or all of their rights and interests hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates, (ii) designate one or more of its Affiliates to perform its obligations hereunder, (iii) direct the Sellers, at the Closing and on behalf of Buyer, to transfer title to all or some of the Purchased Assets directly to one of more of its Affiliates, and (iv) assign its rights to indemnification under this Agreement upon a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Buyer; provided, however, that Buyer shall remain obligated to perform all their obligations under this Agreement if not performed by such Affiliates.
12.4 Bulk Sales Law. Buyer hereby waive compliance by the Sellers with the provisions of any so-called bulk transfer laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the sale of the Purchased Assets. Notwithstanding any such waiver, each of the Sellers, severally, and
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MFFB jointly and severally with each Seller, agrees to indemnify Buyer against all liability, damage or expense which Buyer may suffer due to the failure to so comply or to provide notice required by any such law.
12.5 Expenses. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, each party hereto shall bear its own costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
12.6 Waiver and Amendment. Any representation, warranty, covenant, term or condition of this Agreement which may legally be waived, may be waived, or the time of performance thereof extended, at any time by the party hereto entitled to the benefit thereof and any term, condition or covenant hereof may be amended by the parties hereto at any time. Any such waiver, extension or amendment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing executed on behalf of the appropriate party by a person who has been authorized by such party to execute waivers, extensions or amendments on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto, whether express or implied, of its rights under any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of such partys rights under such provisions at any other time or a waiver of such partys rights under any other provision of this Agreement. No failure by any party hereto to take any action against any breach of this Agreement or default by another party shall constitute a waiver of the former partys right to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to take action against such breach or default or any subsequent breach or default by such other party.
12.7 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining rights of the person intended to be benefited by such provision or any other provisions of this Agreement.
12.8 Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
12.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Any signature page delivered by a facsimile machine, or in portable document format (PDF) file format shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regard to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.
12.10 Governing Law; Jurisdiction.
(a) The interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and all matters relating hereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, including Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law.
(b) Each of the parties agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits itself in respect of its property,
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generally and unconditionally, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts in any legal action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement brought in the courts referred to in the preceding sentence. Each party hereto hereby consents to process being served in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of a copy thereof to the address set forth in Section 12.2 hereof below its name and agrees that such service upon receipt shall constitute good and sufficient service of process or notice thereof. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or eliminate any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Legal Requirements.
12.11 Specific Performance. The Sellers agree that the Purchased Assets include unique property that cannot be readily obtained on the open market and that Buyer will be irreparably injured if this Agreement is not specifically enforced. Therefore, Buyer shall have the right specifically to enforce the Sellers performance under this Agreement, and the Sellers agree to waive the defense in any such suit that Buyer have an adequate remedy at law and to interpose no opposition, legal or otherwise, as to the propriety of specific performance as a remedy.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed and delivered this Asset Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
| NEXCEN ASSET ACQUISITION, LLC | ||
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| By: | NexCen Brands, Inc., its Managing Member | |
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| By: | /s/ Robert DLoren | |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive | |
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| Officer | |
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| NEXCEN BRANDS, INC. | ||
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| By: | /s/ Robert DLoren | |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive | |
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Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement
| GREAT AMERICAN COOKIE COMPANY
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| By: | /s/ Michael Ward | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief | |
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| Legal Officer and Secretary |
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| GREAT AMERICAN MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||
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| By: | /s/ Michael Ward | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief | |
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| Legal Officer and Secretary |
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Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement
| MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC | ||
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| By: | /s/ Michael Ward | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief | |
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| Legal Officer and Secretary |
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Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement