INDENTURE Dated as of December 28, 2011 Among NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC., NPC OPERATING COMPANY A, INC. and NPC OPERATING COMPANY B, INC., as Issuers, TheGuarantor named herein and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee 10.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

EX-4.01 10 d316605dex401.htm EX-4.01 EX-4.01

Exhibit 4.01

 

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of December 28, 2011

Among

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

NPC OPERATING COMPANY A, INC.

and

NPC OPERATING COMPANY B, INC.,

as Issuers,

The Guarantor named herein

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

10.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

 (a)(2)

   7.10

 (a)(3)

   N.A.

 (a)(4)

   N.A.

 (a)(5)

   7.10

 (b)

   7.10

311(a)

   7.11

 (b)

   7.11

312(a)

   2.05

 (b)

   14.03

 (c)

   14.03

313(a)

   7.06

 (b)(1)

   N.A.

 (b)(2)

   7.06;7.07

 (c)

   7.06;14.02

 (d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03

314(a)(4)

   14.05

 (b)

   N.A.

 (c)(1)

   14.04

 (c)(2)

   14.04

 (c)(3)

   N.A.

 (d)

   N.A.

 (e)

   14.05

 (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

 (b)

   7.05;14.02

 (c)

   7.01

 (d)

   7.01

 (e)

   6.14

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

 (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

 (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

 (a)(2)

   N.A.

 (b)

   6.07

 (c)

   2.12;9.04

317(a)(1)

   6.08

 (a)(2)

   6.12

 (b)

   2.04

318(a)

   14.01

 (b)

   N.A.

 (c)

   14.01

N.A. means not applicable.

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
Section 1.01  

Definitions

     1   
Section 1.02  

Other Definitions

     27   
Section 1.03  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     28   
Section 1.04  

Rules of Construction

     28   
Section 1.05  

Acts of Holders

     29   
ARTICLE 2   
THE NOTES   
Section 2.01  

Form and Dating; Terms

     30   
Section 2.02  

Execution and Authentication

     31   
Section 2.03  

Registrar and Paying Agent

     32   
Section 2.04  

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     32   
Section 2.05  

Holder Lists

     33   
Section 2.06  

Transfer and Exchange

     33   
Section 2.07  

Replacement Notes

     44   
Section 2.08  

Outstanding Notes

     44   
Section 2.09  

Treasury Notes

     45   
Section 2.10  

Temporary Notes

     45   
Section 2.11  

Cancellation

     45   
Section 2.12  

Defaulted Interest

     46   
Section 2.13  

CUSIP Numbers; ISIN Numbers

     46   
ARTICLE 3   
REDEMPTION   
Section 3.01  

Notices to Trustee

     46   
Section 3.02  

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased

     47   
Section 3.03  

Notice of Redemption

     47   
Section 3.04  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     48   
Section 3.05  

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price

     48   
Section 3.06  

Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part

     49   
Section 3.07  

Optional Redemption

     49   
Section 3.08  

Mandatory Redemption

     50   
Section 3.09  

Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds

     50   

 

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         Page  
ARTICLE 4   
COVENANTS   
Section 4.01  

Payment of Notes

     52   
Section 4.02  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     52   
Section 4.03  

Reports and Other Information

     52   
Section 4.04  

Compliance Certificate

     53   
Section 4.05  

Taxes

     53   
Section 4.06  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     54   
Section 4.07  

Limitation on Restricted Payments

     54   
Section 4.08  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     60   
Section 4.09  

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

     62   
Section 4.10  

Asset Sales

     66   
Section 4.11  

Transactions with Affiliates

     69   
Section 4.12  

Liens

     71   
Section 4.13  

Corporate Existence

     71   
Section 4.14  

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

     72   
Section 4.15  

Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

     73   
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   
Section 5.01  

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

     74   
Section 5.02  

Successor Corporation Substituted

     76   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
Section 6.01  

Events of Default

     76   
Section 6.02  

Acceleration

     78   
Section 6.03  

Other Remedies

     79   
Section 6.04  

Waiver of Past Defaults

     79   
Section 6.05  

Control by Majority

     79   
Section 6.06  

Limitation on Suits

     79   
Section 6.07  

Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment

     80   
Section 6.08  

Collection Suit by Trustee

     80   
Section 6.09  

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     80   
Section 6.10  

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     80   
Section 6.11  

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     81   
Section 6.12  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     81   
Section 6.13  

Priorities

     81   
Section 6.14  

Undertaking for Costs

     82   

 

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         Page  
ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01  

Duties of Trustee

     82   
Section 7.02  

Rights of Trustee

     83   
Section 7.03  

Individual Rights of Trustee

     84   
Section 7.04  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     84   
Section 7.05  

Notice of Defaults

     84   
Section 7.06  

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

     84   
Section 7.07  

Compensation and Indemnity

     85   
Section 7.08  

Replacement of Trustee

     86   
Section 7.09  

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     86   
Section 7.10  

Eligibility; Disqualification

     86   
Section 7.11  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers

     87   
ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   
Section 8.01  

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     87   
Section 8.02  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     87   
Section 8.03  

Covenant Defeasance

     88   
Section 8.04  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     88   
Section 8.05  

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

     89   
Section 8.06  

Repayment to Issuers

     90   
Section 8.07  

Reinstatement

     90   
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   
Section 9.01  

Without Consent of Holders of Notes

     90   
Section 9.02  

With Consent of Holders of Notes

     92   
Section 9.03  

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     93   
Section 9.04  

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     93   
Section 9.05  

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     93   
Section 9.06  

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     94   
Section 9.07  

Payment for Consent

     94   
ARTICLE 10   
RESERVED   
ARTICLE 11   
GUARANTEES   
Section 11.01  

Guarantee

     94   
Section 11.02  

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     96   

 

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         Page  
Section 11.03  

Execution and Delivery

     96   
Section 11.04  

Subrogation

     96   
Section 11.05  

Benefits Acknowledged

     97   
Section 11.06  

Release of Guarantees

     97   
ARTICLE 12   
RESERVED   
ARTICLE 13   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
Section 13.01  

Satisfaction and Discharge

     97   
Section 13.02  

Application of Trust Money

     98   
Section 13.03  

Release of Co-Issuers

     99   
ARTICLE 14   
MISCELLANEOUS   
Section 14.01  

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     99   
Section 14.02  

Notices

     99   
Section 14.03  

Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes

     100   
Section 14.04  

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     100   
Section 14.05  

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     101   
Section 14.06  

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     101   
Section 14.07  

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

     101   
Section 14.08  

Governing Law

     101   
Section 14.09  

Waiver of Jury Trial

     101   
Section 14.10  

Force Majeure

     102   
Section 14.11  

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     102   
Section 14.12  

Successors

     102   
Section 14.13  

Severability

     102   
Section 14.14  

Counterpart Originals

     102   
Section 14.15  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     102   
Section 14.16  

Qualification of Indenture

     102   

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C    Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D    Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

 

-iv-


INDENTURE, dated as of December 28, 2011, among NPC International, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC”), NPC Operating Company A, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co A”) and NPC Operating Company B, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co B” and, together with NPC and NPC Op Co A, the “Issuers”), the Guarantor (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $190,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10.500% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantor have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

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

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

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

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

Acquisition Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement or to effect the transactions contemplated thereby, the issuance of the Initial Notes, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date, and equity investments by members of NPC’s management in NPC International Holdings, Inc.

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

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


Advisory Agreement” means the management agreement entered into on the Issue Date between one or more of the Investors and NPC.

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

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

(2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Note at January 15, 2016 (such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07 hereof), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through January 15, 2016 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of such Note.

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

Asset Sale” means:

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

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests to be held by foreign nationals) of any Restricted Subsidiary;

in each case, other than:

(a) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(b) any disposition of obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of business, any disposition of inventory or other current assets in the ordinary course of business or the disposition of property or equipment no longer used or useful in the business of NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

 

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(d) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

(e) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $5.0 million;

(f) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of NPC to NPC or by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary of NPC to another Restricted Subsidiary of NPC;

(g) the license or sublicense of intellectual property or other intangibles;

(h) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

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

(j) the lease, assignment or sub-lease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

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

(l) Permitted Liens, foreclosures on assets and the disposition of property or assets received upon foreclosure by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(m) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by NPC or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

broker-dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

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

Capital Stock” means:

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

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

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

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

 

-3-


Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any lease existing on the Issue Date that is not characterized as a Capitalized Lease Obligation on the Issue Date shall not be reclassified as a Capitalized Lease Obligation as a result of any changes in interpretive releases or literature regarding GAAP or any requirements by the independent auditors of the Issuers.

Cash Equivalents” means:

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

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

(3) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (2) above;

(4) commercial paper rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;

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

(6) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(7) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(8) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency); and

 

-4-


(9) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in cash and securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (8) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clause (1) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clause (1) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of NPC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder; or

(2) NPC becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of direct or indirect beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of NPC.

Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) who beneficially owned the Capital Stock of NPC immediately prior to such transactions continue to beneficially own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity and no “person,” excluding any Permitted Holders, beneficially owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme.

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

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

(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest

 

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component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (w) any Additional Interest, (x) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and (y) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees); plus

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

(3) interest income for such period.

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

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

(1) any after-tax effect of (a) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), (b) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual expenses, (c) severance, (d) relocation costs, (e) curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans and (f) other expenses relating to the Acquisition Transactions, in each case shall be excluded,

(2) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period,

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

(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by NPC’s board of directors or senior management) shall be excluded,

(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of NPC shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(A) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded if the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination wholly permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of NPC will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

 

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

(8) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from (a) the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or (b) Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments (including the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133) shall be excluded,

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

(10) any non-cash compensation expense recorded from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights shall be excluded,

(11) any fees, expenses and charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, disposition, recapitalization, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any non-recurring costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded, and

(12) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Issue Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Acquisition Transactions in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07(a) hereof only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under clause (3)(D) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Consolidated Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Total Secured Indebtedness as of such date of determination to (ii) EBITDA of NPC for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, with such pro forma and other adjustments to EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma and other adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

 

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Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,

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

(2) to advance or supply funds

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

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

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

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 14.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Issuers.

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender, group of lenders or trustee.

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

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

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

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

 

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

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of NPC or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by NPC or any of its Subsidiaries) and is designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate or a comparable certificate of the applicable parent corporation thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

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

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

(1) increased (without duplication) by:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

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

(d) any fees, expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes and the Senior Credit Facilities and (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes, and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(e) the amount of any pre-opening costs and any restructuring charge or reserve deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions or dispositions after the Issue Date and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of restaurants or other facilities; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(g) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(h) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees and related expenses paid in such period to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof; plus

(i) any costs or expense incurred by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expense are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of NPC or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of NPC (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; plus

(j) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings projected by NPC in good faith to result from actions either taken or initiated prior to or during such period (which cost savings shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected to be realized prior to or during such period from such actions; provided that (A) NPC shall have in good faith determined that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable, reasonably attributable to the actions specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions and (y) such actions have been taken or initiated and the benefits therefrom are anticipated by NPC to be realized within 12 months and (B) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (j) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are otherwise included in EBITDA with respect to such period or duplicative of any pro forma adjustments determined in the calculation of Consolidated Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio or Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; plus

(k) expenses (including legal fees and expenses, settlement payments or other judgment award payments) incurred in connection with the Jeffery Wass and Mark Smith et al. vs. NPC International, Inc., Case No. 2:09 CV 2254 JWL KGS (and any appeal or settlement thereof) and related state level lawsuits; plus

 

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(l) for the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2011, $300,000 representing the portion of the amounts of advertising expected to be rebated to NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries in fiscal 2012; plus

(m) a run rate adjustment for delivery drivers to account for the number of drivers converted to the tip wage payment system on the last day of such period as if they were on the tip wage payment system on the first day of such period; and

(2) decreased by (without duplication) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period.

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

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

(1) public offerings with respect to NPC’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on

Form S-8;

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of NPC; and

(3) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution or a sale of Equity Interests to the extent the net cash proceeds of the sale of such Equity Interests have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof.

Euroclear” means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

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

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

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

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

Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or other assets received by NPC from

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

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

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate within 90 days of either the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof and which are not used as the basis for the incurrence of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by NPC in good faith; provided that if the fair market value is equal to or exceeds $10.0 million, such determination shall be made by the board of directors of NPC.

fiscal 2011” shall mean the 52-week period ending on December 27, 2011.

fiscal 2012” shall mean the 52-week period ending on December 25, 2012.

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

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

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of NPC (and with respect to acquisitions or dispositions, may give effect, without limitation, for tangible operational changes achievable within one year after the consummation of the acquisition (or disposition) due to field expense differentials, royalty payments made to Pizza Hut, Inc., contractual rent payments on

 

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real estate and equipment and general and administrative cost differences, payments in respect of supply contracts and insurance policies, all as determined in good faith by NPC). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of NPC to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as NPC may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (without duplication):

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

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

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

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

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

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

Government Securities” means securities that are:

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

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

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

 

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

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture.

Guarantor” means Parent and each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

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

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

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

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

(a) in respect of borrowed money;

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

(c) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (i) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business, (ii) accrued payroll and (iii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; or

(d) representing any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

 

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(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person; provided, however, that the amount of Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at the date of determination and (b) the amount of Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business.

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

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

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

Initial Notes” as defined in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers” means Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Barclays Capital Inc.

Interest Payment Date” means January 15 and July 15 of each year to stated maturity.

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

Investment Grade Securities” means:

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

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

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in Investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

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

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business),

 

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purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of NPC in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

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

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

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

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.

Investors” means Olympus Growth Fund V, L.P. and its Affiliates, affiliated funds or entities governed by an Affiliate or affiliated fund, but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means the date of this Indenture.

Issuers” as defined in the recitals hereto.

Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuers by an Officer of each Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

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

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

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in such asset and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction (other than a filing for informational purposes); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

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

 

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

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale required (other than required by clause (1) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction, any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction and the payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale.

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

Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture. For purposes of this Indenture, all references to Notes to be issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange shall be deemed to refer to Notes of the applicable series.

NPC” as defined in the recitals hereto.

NPC Op Co A” as defined in the recitals hereto.

NPC Op Co B” as defined in the recitals hereto.

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

Offering Circular” means the Offering Circular, dated December 8, 2011, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of NPC.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of NPC by an Officer of NPC, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of NPC, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

 

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Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to NPC or the Trustee.

Parent” means NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC.

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

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

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(3) any Investment by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary,

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

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

(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date and any Investment that replaces, refinances or refunds an existing Investment; provided that the new Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced or refunded and is made in the same Person as the Investment replaced, refinanced or refunded;

(6) any Investment acquired by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

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

(b) as a result of a foreclosure by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (10) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(8) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of NPC, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

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

(10) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5) and (9) of Section 4.11(b) hereof);

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

(12) any Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) 2.0% of Total Assets and (b) $20.0 million at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, if any Investment pursuant to this clause (12) is made in a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (12) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;

(13) any Investment in a Similar Business taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) 2.0% of Total Assets and (b) $20.0 million at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(14) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $2.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate; and

(15) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of NPC or any direct or indirect parent company thereof.

 

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Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws, pension and other social security programs or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public, statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

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

(3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (4) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

(8) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Restricted Subsidiary; provided further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

 

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

(11) Liens securing Hedging Obligations permitted under this Indenture;

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

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

(14) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(15) Liens in favor of any Issuer or any Guarantor;

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

(17) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(18) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(19) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(20) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (5) under Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

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

 

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

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

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

(25) Liens on the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Record Date” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuers, Parent and the Initial Purchasers, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Issuers and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Issuers to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, including securities of a Person in a Similar Business if, upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

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

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

Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of NPC (including, for the avoidance of doubt, NPC Op Co A and NPC Op Co B) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Credit Facilities” means the credit agreement to be entered into as of the Issue Date by and among NPC International, Inc. as parent borrower, NPC Operating Company A, Inc. and NPC Operating Company B, Inc. as subsidiary borrowers, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders signatory thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, collateral agent and issuing bank and the other parties thereto, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof.

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

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

Similar Business” means any business or activity conducted or proposed to be conducted by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business or activity that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof, as determined by NPC in good faith.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,

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

(2) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

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

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

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

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

Total Assets” means the total assets of NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of NPC, as may be expressly stated.

Total Secured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of Secured Indebtedness of the Issuers and the Guarantors outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis.

Transaction Agreement” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2011, by and among Parent, each of the selling stockholders party thereto, NPC International Holdings, Inc. and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended prior to the Issue Date.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to January 15, 2016; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to January 15, 2016 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

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

 

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Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

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

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

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

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

(1) if the Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and

(2) each of:

(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated; and

(b) its Subsidiaries

has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of NPC or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries).

NPC may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

(1) NPC could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof; or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for NPC would be greater than such ratio for NPC immediately prior to such designation,

in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

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

 

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

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

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

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

(2) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Acceptable Commitment”

     4.10   

“Affiliate Transaction”

     4.11   

“Asset Sale Offer”

     4.10   

“Authentication Order”

     2.02   

“Change of Control Offer”

     4.14   

“Change of Control Payment”

     4.14   

“Change of Control Payment Date”

     4.14   

“Covenant Defeasance”

     8.03   

“DTC”

     2.03   

“Event of Default”

     6.01   

“Excess Proceeds”

     4.10   

“incur”

     4.09   

“incurrence”

     4.09   

“Legal Defeasance”

     8.02   

“Note Register”

     2.03   

“Offer Amount”

     3.09   

“Offer Period”

     3.09   

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

     4.10   

“Paying Agent”

     2.03   

“Purchase Date”

     3.09   

“Redemption Date”

     3.07   

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

     4.09   

“Refunding Capital Stock”

     4.07   

“Registrar”

     2.03   

“Restricted Payments”

     4.07   

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Second Commitment”

     4.10   

“Successor Company”

     5.01   

“Successor Person”

     5.01   

“Treasury Capital Stock”

     4.07   

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

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

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

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

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantor, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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

 

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

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

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

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

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

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

(e) The Issuers may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

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

 

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

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

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

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

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

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Restricted Period shall be terminated upon the receipt by the Trustee of:

 

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(i) a written certificate from the Depositary, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof); and

(ii) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuers.

Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

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

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

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuers without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuers’ ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuers’ compliance with Section 4.09 hereof.

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

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

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

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon an Authentication Order authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued hereunder.

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

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

NPC shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange and will make payments and facilitate the transfer of Notes on behalf of the Issuers. NPC may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. NPC may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. NPC shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If NPC fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. NPC or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

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

NPC initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

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

 

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Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

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

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by NPC or its Subsidiaries within 120 days or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

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

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

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

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

 

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(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

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

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

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

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

 

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

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(C) any such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

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

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of NPC, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers, and

 

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accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

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

(i) Private Placement Legend.

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

“THIS NOTE AND THE RELATED GUARANTEES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR THE RELATED GUARANTEES NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AND THE RELATED GUARANTEES BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE AND THE RELATED GUARANTEES (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE AND THE RELATED GUARANTEES) (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) ONLY (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S

 

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UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER ONLY AT THE DIRECTION AND IN THE ABSOLUTE DISCRETION OF THE ISSUERS AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD OR RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE, AS APPLICABLE.”

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

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK)

 

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(“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

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

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).”

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

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

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

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

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

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

 

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(v) The Issuers shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes under Section 3.03 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of such notice of redemption, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

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

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

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

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

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

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

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

 

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If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

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

If the Paying Agent (other than NPC, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

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

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

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

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

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) in accordance with its customary procedures. Certification of the disposition of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuers. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

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

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

Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers; ISIN Numbers

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

 

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

 

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Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased (a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed or (b) on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid (and in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the purchase or redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 13 hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.07(b) and Section 4.14 hereof, notices of redemption may not be conditional.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP number and ISIN) and shall state:

(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price;

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

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

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

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

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

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

(i) if in connection with a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07(b) hereof, any condition to such redemption.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at its expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price (except as provided for in Section 3.07(b) hereof). The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

Prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 hereof will cease to accrue interest on the purchase date or Change of Control Payment Date, as applicable. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Global Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Trustee shall make a notion on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto to reduce the principal amount of such Global Note to an amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Global Note surrendered; provided that each such Global Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to January 15, 2016, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as described in Section 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(b) Until January 15, 2015, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 110.500% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and provided further that each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

(c) Reserved.

(d) On and after January 15, 2016, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice as described in Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on January 15 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     105.250

2017

     102.625

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

 

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(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

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

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuers shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in a minimum amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

 

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

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

(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and

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

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.

(f) The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased; provided, that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than NPC or a Subsidiary, holds as of 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

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

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

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

NPC shall maintain in the continental United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. NPC shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the NPC shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

NPC may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve NPC of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the continental United States for such purposes. NPC shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

NPC hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of NPC in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.

(a) Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, NPC will furnish to the Trustee and post on its website, within 15 days after it files (or would have been required to file) with the SEC, (1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual consolidated financial statements of NPC of its independent public

 

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accountants and (2) the information that would be required on Form 8-K (other than pursuant to Section 3 and Item 5.04 of Form 8-K), in each case as if NPC were required to file such forms. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, NPC shall, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(b) In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of NPC becomes a guarantor of the Notes, NPC may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to NPC by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the requirements of this Section 4.03 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act or (2) by posting on its website within 15 days of the time periods after NPC would have been required to file annual and interim reports with the SEC, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Circular, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if such filing or posting has occurred.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuers have complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to his or her knowledge the Issuers have complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the covenants and conditions under this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuers shall promptly (which shall be no more than five (5) Business Days) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Issuers shall pay, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

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Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

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

Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(I) declare or pay (without duplication) any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of NPC’s, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger or consolidation other than:

(A) dividends, payments or distributions by NPC payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of NPC; or

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

(II) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of NPC or any direct or indirect parent of NPC held by Persons other than NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary, including in connection with any merger or consolidation;

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

(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

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

(IV) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) (other than an exception thereto) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

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

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

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (6)(c), and (9) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of NPC for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on December 28, 2011, to the end of NPC’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by NPC since the Issue Date from the issue or sale of:

(i)(X) Equity Interests of NPC, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(a) Equity Interests to members of management, directors or consultants of NPC, any direct or indirect parent company of NPC and NPC’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

(b) Designated Preferred Stock; and

(Y) to the extent such net cash proceeds, marketable securities or other property are actually contributed to NPC, Equity Interests of NPC’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or

(ii) convertible or exchangeable debt securities of NPC, in each case that have been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests of NPC;

provided, however, that this clause (b) shall not include the proceeds from (V) Refunding Capital Stock, (W) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of NPC sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (X) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock, (Y) Excluded Contributions or (Z) any offering of Equity Interests to the extent such proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; plus

 

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(C) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of NPC following the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary and other than by any Excluded Contributions); plus

(D) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received (or deemed received in the case of a release of a guarantee) by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by NPC or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from NPC or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets or returns of capital, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by NPC or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date; or

(ii) the sale or other disposition (other than to NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clauses (7), (10) or (11) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend distribution or other payment from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus

(E) with respect to Restricted Investments in a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) made by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, 100% of the fair market value of NPC’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Investment in such Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of or in connection with an additional Investment by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary, less the amount of such additional Investment; provided that any Investment in such Person still outstanding will be deemed to be zero for purposes of this covenant; plus

(F) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

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

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution or consummation of any redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice such payment or redemption would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(2) (a) the purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) of NPC (including the declaration and payment of accrued dividends on such Treasury Capital Stock) or Subordinated Indebtedness of NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of NPC, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of NPC or any direct or indirect parent company of NPC to the extent contributed to NPC (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock, Excluded Contributions or any Equity Interests to the extent the net cash proceeds of the sale of such Equity Interests have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (b) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (6) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to purchase, redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of NPC) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(a) the principal amount of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any premium (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness;

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

(c) such new Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, defeased, repurchased, acquired or retired; and

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

(4) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of NPC or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of NPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year $7.5 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $12.5 million in any calendar year); provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

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(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of NPC and, to the extent contributed to NPC, Equity Interests of any of NPC’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to employees, directors or consultants of NPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments as described in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; plus

(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by NPC or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less

(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this clause (4);

and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to NPC from employees, directors or consultants of NPC, any of NPC’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of NPC’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of NPC or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

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

(6) (a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock issued by NPC after the Issue Date;

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

(c) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, however, in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c) of this clause (6), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, NPC would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $20.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

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(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options warrants or convertible securities if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or convertible securities and payments of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Capital Stock upon exercise or conversion of securities exercisable or convertible into Capital Stock;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on NPC’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the first public offering of NPC’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after the Issue Date, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to NPC in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to NPC’s common stock registered on Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting (i) an Excluded Contribution or (ii) a sale of Equity Interests to the extent the net cash proceeds of the sale of such Equity Interests have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

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

(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11) not to exceed $25.0 million;

(12) any Restricted Payment made to effect the Acquisition Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses related thereto or owed to Affiliates, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

(e) fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent entity; and

(15) the distribution by dividend or otherwise, of a Restricted Investment, or any Investment made with a previously existing Restricted Investment;

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clause (11) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) NPC shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investments in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof or under clause (7), (10), (11) or (15) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors or Issuers to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits (except for any dividend or liquidation priority between classes of Capital Stock); or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

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(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and the related documentation;

(2) this Indenture and the Notes;

(3) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capitalized Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;

(4) any applicable laws, rule, regulation or order;

(5) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

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

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

(8) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

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

(10) customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) provisions contained in franchise agreements; provided that such encumbrances and restrictions will not materially affect the ability of an Issuer to make principal and interest payments on the Notes, as determined in good faith by the senior management or board of directors of NPC;

(12) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred by this Indenture; provided, that such encumbrances and restrictions will not materially affect the ability of NPC to make principal and interest payments on the Notes, as determined in good faith by the senior management or board of directors of NPC; and

(13) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (12) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of NPC, not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

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

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and any of them, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and NPC shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that NPC may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for NPC for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, however, that Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors or Issuers may not incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), more than an aggregate of $20.0 million of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors or Issuers is outstanding pursuant to this paragraph at such time.

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

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount of $600.0 million outstanding at any one time, less the aggregate of permanent mandatory principal payments actually made by the borrower thereunder in respect of Indebtedness thereunder with Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale or series of related Asset Sales that constitutes the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of a segment (as defined under GAAP) of NPC (other than any segment predominantly composed of assets acquired by NPC or its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Issue Date);

(2) the incurrence by any Issuer and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes or any exchange notes (including any Guarantee) (other than any Additional Notes);

(3) Indebtedness of NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.09(b));

(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, in a principal amount, together with all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock issued and outstanding under this clause (4) (together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) not to exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Total Assets in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

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(5) Indebtedness incurred by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of obligations owing to franchisors under franchise agreements, workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding the foregoing; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

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

(A) such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of NPC, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (6)(A)); and

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

(7) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of NPC to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or Issuer is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (except (a) to NPC or another Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a pledge of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (7) shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;

(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to NPC or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor or Issuer incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Guarantor or obligations in respect of the Notes of such Issuer, as applicable; provided, further, that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except (a) to NPC or another Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) a pledge of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (8) shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness;

 

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(9) shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to NPC or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (except (a) to NPC or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) a pledge of the shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock referred to in this clause (9) shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock;

(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09, exchange rate risk or commodity price risk;

(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12) (a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of NPC and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference up to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of NPC or cash contributed to the capital of NPC (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to NPC or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with Sections 4.07(a)(iv)(3)(B) or 4.07(a)(iv)(3)(C) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clause (1) or (3) of the definition thereof) and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of NPC and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred or issued pursuant to this clause (12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $45.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred or issued pursuant to this clause (12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or issued and outstanding for purposes of this clause (12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred or issued for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred or issued such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (12)(b));

(13) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to refund or refinance any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (2), and (3) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (13) and clause (14) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees and expenses in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

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

 

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(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and

(C) shall not include:

(i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of NPC that is not a Guarantor or Issuer that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of NPC; or

(ii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of NPC, that is not a Guarantor or Issuer that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Guarantor or Issuer;

(14) provided no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by NPC or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either

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

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of NPC is greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

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

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

(17) (a) any guarantee by NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or

(b) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor, provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;

 

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

(19) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of NPC or any direct or indirect parent company of NPC to the extent described in clause (4) of Section 4.07(b) hereof.

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

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (19) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, NPC, in its sole discretion, shall classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date or any refinancing thereof that is secured by a Lien will at all times be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and

(2) at the time of incurrence, the Issuers shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Sections 4.09(a) and 4.09(b) hereof.

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

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

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

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless:

 

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

(2) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents, Related Business Assets or a combination thereof; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on NPC’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto) of NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets,

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

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $20.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

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

(b) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply an amount equal to the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

(1) to permanently reduce:

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

(B) Obligations under other Indebtedness that is not subordinated in right of payments to the Notes (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto); provided that NPC shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 3.07 hereof through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth under Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders of Notes to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid, or

(C) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to NPC or another Restricted Subsidiary,

 

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(2) to (A) acquire Capital Stock of another Person that results in NPC or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such Person such that such Person constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) make capital expenditures or (C) acquire other assets, in each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Similar Business;

(3) to (A) acquire Capital Stock of another Person that results in NPC or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such Person such that such Person constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) acquire properties or (C) acquire other assets that, in each of (A), (B) or (C), replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, or

(4) any combination of clauses (1) through (3) of this paragraph;

provided that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as NPC, or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days after such 365-day period (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, NPC or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided, further, that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time periods set forth in Section 4.10(b) shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is an integral multiple of $2,000 that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuers shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $15.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes tendered. Selection in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness will be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds with respect to which such Asset Sale Offer was made shall be reset to zero.

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

 

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

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of NPC (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $5.0 million, unless:

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

(2) NPC delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of NPC approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a).

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

(1) transactions between or among NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof (other than subclause (12) of Section 4.07(b) hereof) and the definition of “Permitted Investments” transactions excluded from the definition of Restricted Payments and any agreements providing for any of the foregoing;

(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, the Investors pursuant to the Advisory Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of NPC, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

 

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(6) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment as determined in good faith by senior management or the board of directors of NPC is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by senior management or the board of directors of NPC;

(7) the existence of, or the performance by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders when taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the board of directors of NPC;

(8) the Acquisition Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Acquisition Transactions, in each case as disclosed in the Offering Circular or contemplated by the Transaction Agreement;

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

(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of NPC;

(11) payments by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are approved by a majority of the board of directors of NPC in good faith;

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

(13) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of the lenders to such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and

(14) any sale of securities (including Disqualified Stock but excluding other Capital Stock) made to an Affiliate on the same terms as are being made to non-Affiliate investors in any public or private sale of such securities and any transactions involving such securities where such Affiliate is treated no more favorably than the non-Affiliate investors.

 

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Section 4.12 Liens.

(a) NPC shall not, and shall not permit any other Issuer or Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness, on any asset or property of an Issuer or any Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; and

(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (i) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees, (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness in an amount equal to the amount permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1) hereof, (iii) Liens securing Indebtedness in an amount that at the time of incurrence of any such Indebtedness would not cause the Consolidated Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio to exceed 3.5 to 1.0 and (iv) Liens securing Indebtedness that serves to refinance or replace Indebtedness previously secured by a Lien pursuant to clause (iii) above or this clause (iv); provided that the amount of such new Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed the amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;

provided that any Lien which is granted to secure the Notes or the Guarantees pursuant to this covenant shall be discharged at the same time as the discharge of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to so secure the Notes or the Guarantees.

(b) For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (25) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.12 but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (25) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) hereof, NPC shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) hereof; provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, all Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date or any refinancing thereof that is secured by a Lien will at all times be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under subclause (2)(ii) of Section 4.12(a) hereof.

Section 4.13 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuers shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of the Guarantors, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuers or any such Guarantor and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuers and the Guarantors; provided that the Issuers shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of the Guarantors, if the Issuers in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

 

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with the following information:

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date of such notice (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the 27th day following the date of the Change of Control notice, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuers are purchasing less than all of the Notes, the Holders of the remaining Notes will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

(8) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow.

 

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The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue thereof.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered, and

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

(c) NPC shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the NPC and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made by the NPC or a third party in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(d) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06 hereof.

Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries.

NPC shall not permit any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries, other than a Guarantor or an Issuer, to guarantee the payment of the Senior Credit Facilities unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that the Guarantee under the supplemental indenture shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary’s guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness substantially to the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to such Indebtedness;

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against NPC or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee; and

 

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(3) such Restricted Subsidiary shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(a) such Guarantee has been duly executed and authorized; and

(b) such Guarantee constitutes a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary, except insofar as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws (including all laws relating to fraudulent transfers) and except insofar as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) NPC shall not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not NPC is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) either: (x) NPC is the surviving corporation; or (y) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than NPC) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of NPC or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”);

(2) the Successor Company, if other than NPC, expressly assumes all the obligations of NPC under the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

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

(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company would be no less than such ratio for NPC immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) each Guarantor, unless it is (a) the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(1)(B) hereof shall apply, or (b) a Guarantor that will be released from its obligations under its Guarantee in connection with such transactions, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(6) if the Successor Company is not organized as a corporation after such transaction, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Successor Company shall be a co-obligor of the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

(7) NPC shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for NPC, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Notes, and NPC will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding clauses (3) and (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,

(x) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to NPC, and

(y) NPC may merge with an Affiliate of NPC, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reincorporating NPC in a State of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of NPC and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

(c) Subject to certain limitations described in this Indenture governing release of a Guarantee or obligations of the Issuers other than NPC upon the sale, disposition or transfer of a guarantor, no Guarantor or Issuer (other than NPC) shall, and NPC shall not permit any Guarantor or Issuer (other than NPC) to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not NPC, any other Issuer or a Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (A) such Guarantor or Issuer is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor or Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor or Issuer, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor, other Issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor or Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor or Issuer under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee or obligations as an Issuer pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) NPC shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof.

 

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(d) Subject to certain limitations described in this Indenture, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, as applicable, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee or such Issuer under this Indenture and such Issuer’s obligations as an Issuer.

(e) Notwithstanding clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 5.01, any Guarantor or Issuer (other than NPC) may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or an Issuer.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of NPC in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which NPC is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to NPC shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to NPC), and may exercise every right and power of NPC under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as NPC herein; provided that NPC shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of NPC’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) An “Event of Default” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Notes;

(3) failure by any Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to NPC or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

 

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(a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(5) failure by NPC or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (net of any amounts which are covered by insurance), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(6) an Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against an Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary, in a proceeding in which the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiaries, that is a Significant Subsidiary, is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of an Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of an Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(8) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture and such Default continues for 10 Business Days.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

(a) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof with respect to the Issuers) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

(b) Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.

(c) The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in the Holders best interests.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof with respect to an Issuer, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

(e) The Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines acceleration is not in the best interest of the Holders of the Notes.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest, Additional Interest, if any, or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of a declaration of acceleration in respect of the Notes because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(4) shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be automatically annulled, waived and rescinded and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose: (1) if the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been discharged; or (2) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived their declaration of acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or (3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer); provided, subject to Section 6.02 hereof, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(3) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

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Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantor), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

(ii) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(iii) to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.13.

 

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Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

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(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuers.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) In the event the Issuers are required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuers will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuers’ obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuers. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

(k) The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

Within 60 days after each January 1, beginning with the January 1 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuers and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuers and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers or any Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuers or any Guarantor, or liability in connective with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which they may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and each Guarantor in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(6) or (7) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

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Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers’ expense), the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and each Guarantor shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to this Indenture and all outstanding Notes and Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, cured all then existing Events of Default and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of each Guarantor (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) each Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

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Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and each other Restricted Subsidiary shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.15 hereof and clauses (4) and (5) of Section 5.01(a), Sections 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(7) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries) and 6.01(8) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

 

Section 8.04  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the redemption date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(b) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

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in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, including that no intervening bankruptcy of an Issuer or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has occurred between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and assuming that no Holder is an “insider” of an Issuer under applicable bankruptcy law, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(7) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of any Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Section 8.05  Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06  Repayment to Issuers.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

Section 8.07  Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01  Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or this Indenture) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

 

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(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes of such series in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(4) to provide for the assumption of any Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders in a transaction that otherwise complies with this Indenture;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of NPC does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof;

(9) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes, exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(10) to secure the Notes or add a Guarantor under this Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Offering Circular to the extent that such provision in such “Description of the Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantees or Notes; or

(12) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of NPC does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and each Guarantor in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate.

 

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Section 9.02  With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, other than Notes beneficially owned by NPC or its Affiliates (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of such Notes or change the time (except those providing when notice of redemption is to be provided to the Trustee or Holders) at which any Note may be redeemed (in each case other than provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof to the extent that any such amendment or waiver does not have the effect of reducing the principal of or changing the fixed final maturity of any such Note or altering or waiving the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

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(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; or

(9) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Secton 9.03  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04  Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

Section 9.05  Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Guarantor party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

 

Section 9.07  Payment for Consent.

Neither the Issuers nor any Affiliate of an Issuer shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

ARTICLE 10

RESERVED

ARTICLE 11

GUARANTEES

 

Section 11.01  Guarantee.

Subject to this Article 11, each Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of each Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of each Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

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Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 11.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to an Issuer, a Guarantor or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either an Issuer or a Guarantor, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Guarantee. Each Guarantor shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against an Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should an Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of an Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

 

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Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

 

Section 11.02  Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 11, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Section 11.03  Execution and Delivery.

To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture, as the case may be) shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture, as the case may be) no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuers shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable.

 

Section 11.04  Subrogation.

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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Section 11.05  Benefits Acknowledged.

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

Section 11.06  Release of Guarantees.

A Guarantee (including any Liens in support thereof) by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(B) the release or discharge by such Guarantor of its guarantee of the Senior Credit Facilities;

(C) the proper designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(D) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture being discharged in accordance with Article 13 of this Indenture; and

(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 12

RESERVED

ARTICLE 13

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 13.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) (A) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under

 

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arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers and an Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(B) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and the granting of Liens in connection herewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which an Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which an Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(C) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(D) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A) of clause (2) of this Section 13.01, the provisions of Section 13.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive.

Section 13.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 13.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 13.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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Section 13.03 Release of Co-Issuers.

The Obligations of any Issuer (other than NPC) in respect of the Notes (including any Liens in support thereof) shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1) (a) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Issuer (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Issuer is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or all or substantially all the assets of such Issuer which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the release or discharge by such Issuer of its obligations in respect of the Senior Credit Facilities;

(c) the proper designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is an Issuer (other than NPC) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(d) the Issuers exercising their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as set forth in Article 8 or the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, as set forth in Sections 13.01 and 13.02; and

(2) such Issuer delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 14

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 14.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 14.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by any Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to any Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

c/o NPC International, Inc.

7300 W. 129th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66213

Fax No.: (913)  ###-###-####

Attention: Troy Cook

 

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If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

707 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fax No.: (213)  ###-###-####

Attention: Michael Q. Tu

Each Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; on the first date on which publication is made, if by publication; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuers mail a notice or communication to Holders, they shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 14.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 14.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Issuers or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 14.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

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(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 14.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 14.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 14.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 14.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of any Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 14.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 14.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE ISSUERS, EACH GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 14.10 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 14.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuers or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 14.12 Successors.

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof.

Section 14.13 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 14.14 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 14.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 14.16 Qualification of Indenture.

The Issuers and each Guarantor shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuers and any Guarantor any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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NPC International, Inc.,

as an Issuer

By:  

/s/ Troy D. Cook

  Name:   Troy D. Cook
  Title:  

Executive Vice President - Finance

and Chief Financial Officer and

Secretary

NPC Operating Company A, Inc.,

as an Issuer

By:  

/s/ Troy D. Cook

  Name:   Troy D. Cook
  Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and
    Secretary

NPC Operating Company B, Inc.,

as an Issuer

By:  

/s/ Troy D. Cook

  Name:   Troy D. Cook
  Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and
    Secretary

NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC,

as Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Troy D. Cook

  Name:   Troy D. Cook
  Title:   Executive Vice President - Finance
    and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Signature Page to Indenture


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:

  /s/ Michael Tu
 

Name: Michael Tu

Title: Assistant Vice President

Signature Page to Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP [            ]

ISIN [            ]1

[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

$                    ]

10.500% Senior Notes due 2020

 

No.                [$                    ]

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NPC OPERATING COMPANY A, INC.

NPC OPERATING COMPANY B, INC.

promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of                      United States Dollars] on January 15, 2020.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15

Record Dates: January 1 and July 1

 

 

1 

Rule 144A Note CUSIP: 62941Y AA5

     Rule 144A Note ISIN: US62941Y AA55
     Regulation S Note CUSIP: U6700P AA9
     Regulation S Note ISIN: USU6700P AA94

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: [            ]

 

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
NPC OPERATING COMPANY A, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
NPC OPERATING COMPANY B, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-4


[Back of Note]

10.500% Senior Notes due 2020

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. NPC International, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC”), NPC Operating Company A, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co A”) and NPC Operating Company B, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co B” and, together with NPC and NPC Op Co A, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 10.500% per annum from [the last preceding Interest Payment Date (as defined below)] until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be [the next succeeding Interest Payment Date]. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. NPC may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. NPC or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of December 28, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among NPC International, Inc., NPC Operating Company A, Inc., NPC Operating Company B, Inc., NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as its 10.500% Senior Notes due 2020. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to January 15, 2016, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder of Notes, or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(b) Until January 15, 2015, the Issuers may, at its option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by it at a redemption price equal to 110.500% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and provided further that each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

(c) On and after January 15, 2016, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on January 15 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     105.250

2017

     102.625

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

(d) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail (and in the case of Notes held in book entry form, by electronic transmission) at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 13 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed

 

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at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

8. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuers shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). The Change of Control Offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.

(b) If NPC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consummates an Asset Sale, within 10 Business Days of each date that Excess Proceeds exceed $15.0 million, the Issuers shall commence, an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes tendered. Selection in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness will be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds with respect to which such Asset Sale Offer was made shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

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12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuers, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

14. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2011, among NPC International, Inc., NPC Operating Company A, Inc., NPC Operating Company B, Inc., NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest.

15. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

16. ISINS AND CUSIP NUMBERS. The Issuers have caused ISINs and (pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures) CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use ISINs and CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

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The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

7300 W. 129th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66213

Fax No.: (913)  ###-###-####

Attention: Troy Cook

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                             (Insert assignee’ legal name)

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                                                      

 

Your Signature:    
 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on

the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                                            

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[            ] Section 4.10                     [            ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                                     

Date:                                              

 

Your Signature:  

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on

the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                                            

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $            . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

000000000 000000000 000000000 000000000

Date of

Exchange

   Amount of
decrease
in Principal
Amount
   Amount of increase
in Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Principal Amount
of
this Global Note
following such
decrease or
increase
   Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or
Note Custodian
           
           
           

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

NPC International, Inc.

NPC Operating Company A, Inc.

NPC Operating Company B, Inc.

7300 W. 129th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66213

Fax No.: (913)  ###-###-####

Attention: Troy Cook

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

707 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fax No.: (213)  ###-###-####

Attention: Madeliena J. Hall

Re: 10.500% Senior Notes due 2020

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 28, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among NPC International, Inc., NPC Operating Company A, Inc., NPC Operating Company B, Inc., NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                 (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                      (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed

 

B-1


in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the

 

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Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

    [Insert Name of Transferor]
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:

Dated:                     

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP 62941Y AA5), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP U6700P AA9 ), or

 

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP 62941Y AA5), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP U6700P AA9), or

 

  (iii) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                  ); or

 

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

NPC International, Inc.

NPC Operating Company A, Inc.

NPC Operating Company B, Inc.

7300 W. 129th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66213

Fax No.: (913)  ###-###-####

Attention: Troy Cook

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

707 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fax No.: (213)  ###-###-####

Attention: Madeliena J. Hall

Re: 10.500% Senior Notes due 2020

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 28, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among NPC International, Inc., NPC Operating Company A, Inc., NPC Operating Company B, Inc., NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC. and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted

 

C-1


Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [            ] 144A Global Note [            ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act,

 

C-2


and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers and are dated                     .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated:                         

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                 , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of NPC International, Inc., a Kansas Corporation (“NPC”), NPC Operating Company A, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co A”) and NPC Operating Company B, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“NPC Op Co B” and, together with NPC and NPC Op Co A, the “Issuers”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, each of NPC International, Inc., NPC Operating Company A, Inc., NPC Operating Company B, Inc., and NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of December 28, 2011, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 10.500% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with each Guarantor named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed

 

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in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantor, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future secured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuers or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

 

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(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases.

The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, any Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(B) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

(C) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(D) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(2) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

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(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 11.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

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