<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 25, 1998
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DELAWARE 36-3996573
<S> <C>
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
450 E. LAS OLAS BOULEVARD, SUITE 1100
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301
TELEPHONE (954) 713-1600
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
----------------
ROBERT A. BRANNON
SECRETARY
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
450 E. LAS OLAS BOULEVARD
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301
TELEPHONE (954) 713-1600
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
D. MARK MCMILLAN, ESQ.
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD
THREE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602
TELEPHONE: (312) 372-1121
----------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes
effective.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<CAPTION>
PROPOSED PROPOSED
AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) OFFERING PRICE(2) FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2008................................ $200,000,000 100% $200,000,000 $59,000
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
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<PAGE>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION, OR SALE WOULD BE +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF +
+ANY SUCH STATE. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED , 1998
PROSPECTUS
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
-----------
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
FOR
NEW 9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
-----------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON , 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED
-----------
Extended Stay America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") its outstanding 9.15% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Old Notes"), of which an aggregate of
$200,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the date hereof, for an
equal principal amount of newly issued 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
(the "New Notes"). The form and terms of the New Notes will be the same in all
material respects as the form and terms of the Old Notes except that the New
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof.
The New Notes will evidence the same indebtedness as the Old Notes (which they
replace) and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, dated as of
March 10, 1998, between the Company and Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The New Notes and the Old Notes are
sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Notes".
The New Notes will bear interest at the same rate and on the same terms as
the Old Notes. Consequently, the New Notes will bear interest at the rate of
9.15% per annum and the interest thereon will be payable semi-annually on March
15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 1998. The New Notes
will bear interest from the date of the last interest payment on the Old Notes
or if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance of the Old
Notes. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have
waived the right to receive any interest accrued on the Old Notes.
The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time after March 15, 2003, initially at 104.575% of their
principal amount, plus accrued interest, declining ratably to 100% of their
principal amount, plus accrued interest, on or after March 15, 2006. In
addition, at any time on or prior to March 15, 2001, up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes may be redeemed, at the option of the Company,
with the proceeds of one or more public equity offerings by the Company of its
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) at 109.15% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued interest.
The New Notes will be unsecured, senior subordinated indebtedness of the
Company, will be subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of
the Company, will be pari passu with all senior subordinated indebtedness of
the Company, will be senior to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company,
and will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of
the Company's subsidiaries. At December 31, 1997, on a pro forma basis after
giving effect to the offering of the Old Notes (the "Offering") and the use of
the proceeds therefrom, the Company would have had no Indebtedness other than
the Old Notes. However, the Amended Credit Facility (as defined herein)
provides the Company with $700 million of committed Senior Indebtedness. In
addition, the Company's subsidiaries had liabilities of approximately $101.2
million at December 31, 1997, all of which would be effectively senior to the
Notes.
(Continued on next page)
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT
IN THE NOTES.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 1998.
<PAGE>
The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes which are
properly tendered in the Exchange Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on , 1998 (if and as extended, the "Expiration Date").
Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. Old Notes may only be tendered in integral
multiples of $1,000. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange, but is
subject to certain customary conditions. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions."
The Old Notes were originally issued and sold in a transaction that was
exempt from registration under the Securities Act (the "Offering") and resold
to certain qualified institutional buyers and to persons other than U.S.
persons in reliance on, and subject to the restrictions imposed pursuant to,
Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") and Regulation S under the
Securities Act, and other applicable exemptions from the registration
requirements of such Act. Based on a previous interpretation by the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth in no-
action letters to third parties, the Company believes that the New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold, and
otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than (i) a broker-dealer who
receives such New Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule
144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a
person that is an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act)) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the holder
or any other such person is acquiring the New Notes in its ordinary course of
business and is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate, in the distribution of the New Notes. Holders
of Old Notes wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must represent to the
Company that such conditions have been met. Holders of Old Notes who tender
their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer with the intention to participate in a
distribution of New Notes may not rely upon such no-action letters.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in
exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-
dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
The Company has agreed that, for a period of 120 days after the Expiration
Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in
connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
The Company believes that none of the registered holders of the Old Notes is
an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of
the Company. The Company has not entered into any arrangement or understanding
with any person to distribute the New Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer. See "Risk Factors--Absence of Public Market." The Company will not
receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The Company has agreed to bear
the expenses of the Exchange Offer. No underwriter or dealer-manager is being
used in connection with the Exchange Offer.
The New Notes will be available initially only in book-entry form. The
Company expects that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes that will
be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary" or the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") and registered in its name
or in the name of its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global Note
representing the New Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its
participants. After the initial issuance of such global Note, New Notes in
certificated form will be issued in exchange for the global Note only in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. See
"Description of Notes--Book Entry; Delivery and Form."
2
<PAGE>
Any Old Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer will remain
outstanding. To the extent that any Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Notes could be
adversely affected. Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders
of Old Notes will continue to be subject to the existing restrictions upon
transfer thereof and, except as provided herein, the Company will have no
further obligation to such holders to provide for the registration under the
Securities Act of the Old Notes held by them. See "Risk Factors--Consequences
of the Exchange Offer on Non-Tendering Holders of the Old Notes and Broker-
Dealers Receiving New Notes."
The New Notes are a new issue of securities for which there is currently no
trading market. If the New Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they
may trade at a discount from their principal amount, depending upon prevailing
interest rates, the market for similar securities, and other factors,
including general economic conditions and the financial condition and
performance of, and prospects for, the Company. Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., and Salomon Brothers Inc (the "Placement Agents") have
advised the Company that they currently intend to make a market in the Old
Notes and the New Notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and any
market making activity with respect to the Old Notes and the New Notes may be
discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the Old Notes
or the New Notes. In connection with the issuance of the Old Notes, the
Company arranged for the Old Notes to be designated for trading in the Nasdaq
Stock Market's Portal MarketSM. The Company does not intend to apply for
listing of the New Notes on any securities exchange or for quotation through
the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS NOR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL OR BOTH TOGETHER CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR
DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR BOTH
TOGETHER, NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER, SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IMPLY
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A
PROXY.
----------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE PAGE
---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Available Information....... 4 Description of the Notes................ 31
Information Incorporated by
Reference.................. 4 Description of Certain Indebtedness..... 57
Summary..................... 5 Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. 59
Risk Factors................ 15 Plan of Distribution.................... 59
The Exchange Offer.......... 22 Legal Matters........................... 60
Use of Proceeds............. 30 Experts................................. 60
Capitalization.............. 30
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
The sources of industry information set forth herein were Smith Travel
Research and D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Ltd., neither of which provided any
form of consultation, advice, or counsel regarding any aspect of the Exchange
Offer or this Prospectus, or are in any way associated with the Exchange
Offer.
----------------
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements, and other information with the
Commission. Reports, registration statements, proxy statements, and other
information which the Company files with the Commission can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's Regional Offices, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661, and 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The
Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports,
proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants,
such as the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. Such
materials also can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the
Commission under the Securities Act with respect to the New Notes offered
hereby (including all amendments and supplements thereto, the "Registration
Statement"). This Prospectus omits certain information contained in the
Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the
Commission. Consequently, statements herein concerning the provisions of any
document are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made
to the copy of such document filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, or otherwise. Each such statement is qualified by, and
subject to, such reference in all respects. The Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto can be inspected and copied at the Commission's public
reference facilities referred to above.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
and are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Prospectus:
. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997 (Commission File No. 0-27360).
. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1998.
. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 20, 1998 and
March 10, 1998.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of this offering (except to the extent specified therein or in
rules or regulations of the Commission) shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents. Any statement, including financial statements, contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus has been delivered, at the written or oral request of such
person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have
been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than
exhibits to such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed to
Extended Stay America, Inc., 450 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1100, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, 33301, Attention: Secretary (telephone: 954-713-1600).
4
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and
should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial
statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus
or incorporated by reference herein. On April 11, 1997, Extended Stay America,
Inc. ("ESA") and ESA Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ESA
("Merger Sub"), completed a merger (the "Merger") with Studio Plus Hotels, Inc.
("SPH"). The Merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests and ESA's
business development and historical financial statements have been restated to
include the operations and accounts of SPH, which is now a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ESA. Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this
Prospectus to the "Company" mean ESA and its subsidiaries (including SPH).
THE COMPANY
The Company develops, owns, and operates extended stay lodging facilities
which provide an affordable and attractive lodging alternative at a variety of
price points for value-conscious guests. The Company's facilities are designed
to offer a superior product at lower rates than most other lodging providers
within their respective price segments. They feature fully furnished rooms
which are generally rented on a weekly basis to guests such as business
travelers, professionals on temporary work assignment, persons between domestic
situations, and persons relocating or purchasing a home, with most guests
staying for multiple weeks.
The Company believes that extended stay properties generally have higher
operating margins, lower occupancy break-even thresholds, and higher returns on
capital than traditional hotels, primarily as a result of the typically longer
length of stay, lower guest turnover, and lower operating expenses. In
addition, the Company believes the extended stay market is one of the most
rapidly growing and underserved segments of the U.S. lodging industry, with
demand for extended stay lodging significantly exceeding the current and
anticipated near-term supply of dedicated extended stay rooms. For 1997,
industry statistics indicate that there were approximately 117 million room
nights for paid accommodations of six nights or longer related to non-
convention business travel, of which approximately 90 million room nights were
accommodated at traditional hotels. This indicates potential demand for
approximately 300,000 extended stay lodging rooms on an annual basis. For 1997,
there were 3.6 million rooms available in the lodging industry, of which
approximately 86,000 rooms were at extended stay hotel chains. Of the 86,000
total extended stay rooms, approximately 43,000 rooms operated in the upscale
segment of the extended stay market (with weekly room rates generally exceeding
$500) and approximately 19,000 rooms were operated by the Company (with weekly
room rates below $500). As a result, management believes that there exists
strong growth opportunities in the mid-price, economy, and budget segments of
the extended stay market.
The Company's goal is to be a national provider of extended stay lodging and
believes that the first companies to do so will benefit from establishing a
brand name and customer awareness. The Company intends to achieve its goal by
rapidly developing properties in selected markets, providing high value
accommodations for its guests, actively managing its properties to increase
revenues and reduce operating costs, and increasing customer awareness of the
Company's extended stay products. Through March 31, 1998, the Company had
developed 207 extended stay lodging facilities, acquired 11 others, and had 75
facilities under construction. The Company plans to begin construction of
approximately 96 additional facilities during 1998 and to continue an active
development program thereafter. Since 1995, the Company has raised
approximately $800 million of equity to finance its growth strategy and, as a
result of its rapid development plan, has become the largest extended stay
hotel chain in the mid-priced and economy sectors.
The Company owns and operates three brands in the extended stay lodging
category--StudioPLUS(TM) hotels ("StudioPLUS"), EXTENDED STAYAMERICA Efficiency
Studios ("EXTENDED STAY"), and Crossland Economy StudiosSM ("Crossland"), each
designed to appeal to different price points below $500 per week. All
5
<PAGE>
three brands offer the same core components: a living/sleeping area; a fully-
equipped kitchen or kitchenette; and a bathroom. EXTENDED STAY rooms are
designed to compete in the economy category. Crossland rooms are typically
smaller than EXTENDED STAY rooms and are targeted for the budget category, and
StudioPLUS facilities serve the mid-price category and generally feature larger
guest rooms, an exercise room, and a swimming pool.
The Company's strategy is to maximize value to customers by providing a
superior, newly-constructed product at each price point while maintaining high
operating margins. The Company attempts to achieve this goal at each of its
StudioPLUS, EXTENDED STAY, and Crossland facilities through the following:
Create Brand Awareness. The Company believes that guests value a
recognizable brand when selecting lodging accommodations. By positioning
its brands as the first nationwide extended stay providers in their
targeted price segments, the Company believes its brands will have a
distinct advantage over their local and regional competitors. The Company
believes that its evolving national presence and high customer satisfaction
ratings, coupled with selective advertising and promotion, will establish
StudioPLUS, EXTENDED STAY, and Crossland as desirable and well recognized
brands.
Provide a Superior Product at a Lower Price. The Company's facilities are
designed to offer a superior product at lower rates than most other lodging
providers within their respective price segments. Each of the Company's
brands is targeted to a different price point: StudioPLUS--$299 to $399 per
week (daily equivalent--$43 to $57); EXTENDED STAY--$199 to $299 per week
(daily equivalent--$29 to $43); and Crossland--$159 to $199 per week (daily
equivalent--$23 to $29). Room rates at the Company's facilities vary
significantly depending upon market factors affecting such locations. These
rates contrast with average daily rates in 1997 of $68, $52, and $43 for
the mid-price, economy, and budget segments, respectively, of the
traditional lodging industry.
Achieve Operating Efficiencies. The Company believes that the design and
price level of its facilities attract guest stays of several weeks, which
provide for a more stable revenue stream and which, coupled with low labor-
cost amenities, should lead to reduced administrative and operational costs
and higher operating margins. In addition, the Company uses sophisticated
control and information systems which enable it to manage, on a Company-
wide basis, individual facility-specific factors such as pricing, payroll,
and occupancy levels.
Optimize Low Cost Amenities. The Company seeks to provide the level of
amenities needed to offer quality accommodations while maintaining high
operating margins. The Company's facilities contain a variety of non-labor
intensive features that are attractive to the extended stay guest such as a
fully-equipped kitchen or kitchenette, weekly housekeeping, color
television with cable or satellite hook-up, coin-operated laundromat, and
telephone service with voice mail messaging, and, at many StudioPLUS
facilities, an exercise room and swimming pool. To help maintain
affordability of room rates, labor-intensive services such as daily
cleaning, room service, and restaurants are not provided.
Employ a Standardized Concept. The Company has developed standardized
plans and specifications for its facilities which provide for lower
construction and purchasing costs and establish uniform quality and
operational standards. The Company also benefits from the experience of
various members of the Company's management team in rapidly developing and
operating numerous commercial properties to a uniform set of design
standards on a cost-effective basis.
The Company was formed in 1995 as a Delaware corporation and its executive
offices are located at 450 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33301 and its telephone number is (954) 713-1600.
6
<PAGE>
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Exchange Offer relates to the exchange of up to $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of New Notes for up to an equal aggregate principal amount of
Old Notes. The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, obligations of the
Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture. The form and terms of the
New Notes are the same in all material respects as the form and terms of the
Old Notes, except that the New Notes have been registered under the Securities
Act and will not contain terms restricting the transfer thereof. The Old Notes
and the New Notes are herein collectively referred to as the "Notes." See
"Description of the Notes."
The Exchange Offer ......... The Company is offering to exchange $1,000
principal amount of New Notes for each $1,000
principal amount of Old Notes that are properly
tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer. The
Company will issue the New Notes on or promptly
after the Expiration Date. As of the date hereof,
there is $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of Old Notes outstanding. See "The Exchange
Offer."
Resale of New Notes......... Based on an interpretation by the staff of the
Commission set forth in no-action letters issued
to third parties, the Company believes that the
New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be offered for resale, resold, and otherwise
transferred by any holder thereof (other than (i)
a broker-dealer who receives such New Notes
directly from the Company to resell pursuant to
Rule 144A or any other available exemption under
the Securities Act or (ii) any such holder which
is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act)
without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in
the ordinary course of such holder's business and
that such holder has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes. Holders of
Old Notes who tender them in the Exchange Offer
with the intention to participate in a
distribution of the New Notes may not rely upon
such no-action letters. Under no circumstance may
this Prospectus be used for an offer to resell or
other retransfer of New Notes. In the event that
the Company's belief is inaccurate, holders of
New Notes who transfer shares of New Notes in
violation of the prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act and without an exemption
from registration thereunder may incur liability
thereunder. The Company does not assume or
indemnify holders against such liability. Each
broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such New Notes. The Company has not
entered into any arrangement or understanding
with any person to distribute the New Notes to be
received in the Exchange Offer. See "Plan of
Distribution."
7
<PAGE>
Registration Rights The Old Notes were sold by the Company on March
Agreement.................. 10, 1998 to the Placement Agents pursuant to a
Placement Agreement, dated March 5, 1998, between
the Company and the Placement Agents (the
"Placement Agreement"). Pursuant to the Placement
Agreement, the Company and the Placement Agents
entered into a Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of March 10, 1998 (the "Registration
Rights Agreement"), which grants the holders of
the Old Notes certain exchange and registration
rights. The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy
such rights, which will terminate upon the
consummation of the Exchange Offer. See "The
Exchange Offer--Termination of Certain Rights."
Expiration Date............. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on , 1998 unless
extended, in which case the term "Expiration
Date" shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Company
will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes
which are properly tendered in the Exchange Offer
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. The New Notes issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will be delivered on or
promptly after the Expiration Date.
Accrued Interest on the New
Notes and the Old Notes....
The New Notes will bear interest from the date of
the last interest payment on the Old Notes or if
no interest has been paid, from the date of
original issuance of the Old Notes. Holders whose
Old Notes are accepted for exchange will be
deemed to have waived the right to receive any
interest accrued, but not paid, on the Old Notes.
See "The Exchange Offer--Interest on the New
Notes."
Conditions to the Exchange The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any
Offer...................... minimum aggregate principal amount of Old Notes
being tendered for exchange. However, the
Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
conditions, all of which may be waived by the
Company. The Exchange Offer is not being made to,
nor will the Company accept surrenders for
exchange from, holders of Old Notes (i) in any
jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the
acceptance thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdiction or (ii) if any holder is engaged or
intends to engage in a distribution of the New
Notes. The Company may terminate the Exchange
Offer if it determines that its ability to
proceed with the Exchange Offer could be
materially impaired due to any legal or
governmental action, any new law, statute, rule,
or regulation, any interpretation by the staff of
the Commission of any existing law, statute,
rule, or regulation, or the failure to obtain any
necessary approvals of governmental agencies or
holders of Old Notes. The Company does not expect
any of the foregoing conditions to occur,
although there can be no assurance that such
conditions will not occur. See "The Exchange
Offer--Conditions."
8
<PAGE>
Procedures for Tendering Each holder of Old Notes wishing to accept the
Old Notes.................. Exchange Offer must complete, sign, and date the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal, or a
facsimile thereof, in accordance with the
instructions contained herein and therein, and
mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of
Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with the
Old Notes to be exchanged and any other required
documentation to Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company, as Exchange Agent, at the address set
forth herein and therein, or effect a tender of
Old Notes pursuant to the procedures for book-
entry transfer as provided for herein. See "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering." By
executing the Letter of Transmittal, each holder
will represent to the Company that, among other
things, the holder or the person receiving such
New Notes, whether or not such person is the
holder, is acquiring the New Notes in the
ordinary course of business and that neither the
holder nor any such other person has any
arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such New Notes
and that neither the holder nor any such other
person is an "affiliate" of the Company, within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act,
or a broker-dealer that receives such New Notes
directly from the Company to resell pursuant to
Rule 144A or any other available exemption under
the Securities Act.
Special Procedures for
Beneficial Holders.........
Any beneficial holder whose Old Notes are
registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee
and who wishes to tender in the Exchange Offer
should contact such registered holder promptly
and instruct such registered holder to tender on
his behalf. If such beneficial holder wishes to
tender on his own behalf, such beneficial holder
must, prior to completing and executing the
Letter of Transmittal and delivering his Old
Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to
register ownership of the Old Notes in such
holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond
power from the registered holder. The transfer of
record ownership may take considerable time and
may not be able to be completed prior to the
Expiration Date. See "The Exchange Offer--
Procedures for Tendering."
Guaranteed Delivery Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old
Procedures ................ Notes and whose Old Notes are not immediately
available or who cannot deliver their Old Notes
(or who cannot complete the procedure for book-
entry transfer on a timely basis) and a properly
completed Letter of Transmittal, or any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal,
to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration
Date may tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
9
<PAGE>
Acceptance of the Old Notes
and Delivery of the New
Notes......................
Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions to the Exchange Offer, the Company
will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes
that are property tendered in the Exchange Offer
prior to the Expiration Date. The New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
delivered on the earliest practicable date
following the Expiration Date. See "The Exchange
Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."
Withdrawal Rights........... Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. See "Exchange Offer--Withdrawal
of Tenders."
Effect on Holders of Old As a result of the making of this Exchange Offer,
Notes...................... the Company will have fulfilled one of its
obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement and, except as otherwise provided
herein, holders of Old Notes who do not tender
their Old Notes will not have any further
registration rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement or otherwise. Such holders will
continue to hold the untendered Old Notes and
will be entitled to all the rights and subject to
all the limitations applicable thereto under the
Indenture, except to the extent such rights or
limitations, by their terms, terminate or cease
to have further effectiveness as a result of the
Exchange Offer. All untendered Old Notes will
continue to be subject to certain restrictions on
transfer. Accordingly, if any Old Notes are
tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the
trading market, if any, for the untendered Old
Notes could be adversely affected. See "Risk
Factors--Consequences of the Exchange Offer on
Non-Tendering Holders of the Old Notes."
Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences...............
The exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
generally not be a taxable event for federal
income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences."
Exchange Agent.............. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, the
Trustee under the Indenture, is serving as
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in
connection with the Exchange Offer. See "The
Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent."
10
<PAGE>
THE NEW NOTES
Notes Offered............... $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.15%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008.
Maturity.................... March 15, 2008.
Interest.................... Interest on the New Notes is payable semiannually
in cash on March 15 and September 15 of each
year, commencing September 15, 1998.
Optional Redemption......... The Notes are redeemable, at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after March 15, 2003, initially at 104.575% of
their principal amount, plus accrued interest,
declining ratably to 100% of their principal
amount, plus accrued interest, on or after March
15, 2006.
In addition, at any time prior to March 15, 2001,
the Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal
amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or
more sales by the Company of its Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock), at any time or
from time to time in part, at a redemption price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount)
of 109.15%, plus accrued interest; provided that
at least $130 million aggregate principal amount
of Notes remains outstanding after each such
redemption. See "Description of the Notes--
Optional Redemption."
Change of Control........... Upon a Change of Control (as defined in
"Description of the Notes--Certain Definitions"),
each holder of Notes will have the right to
require the Company to purchase such holder's
Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the
date of purchase. There can be no assurance that
the Company will have the financial resources
necessary to purchase the Notes upon a Change of
Control. See "Description of the Notes--
Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control."
Ranking..................... The Indebtedness evidenced by the New Notes will
be unsecured, will be subordinated to all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, will rank pari passu
in right of payment with all senior subordinated
indebtedness of the Company, and will be senior
in right of payment to all subordinated
indebtedness of the Company. After giving pro
forma effect to the Offering and the application
of the proceeds therefrom, as of December 31,
1997, the Company and its subsidiaries would have
had no Indebtedness outstanding other than the
Old Notes. However, the Amended Credit Facility
provides the Company with $700 million of
committed Senior Indebtedness (all of which is
secured). See "Risk Factors--Substantial
Indebtedness; Ability to Service Debt" and
"Capitalization." In addition, all existing and
future liabilities (including trade payables) of
the Company's subsidiaries will be effectively
senior to the Notes. At
11
<PAGE>
December 31, 1997, the Company's subsidiaries had
approximately $101.2 million of liabilities
outstanding. See "Risk Factors--Subordination of
Notes" and "Capitalization."
Certain Covenants...........
The Indenture contains certain covenants for the
benefit of the holders of the Notes which, among
other things, restrict the ability of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in
"Description of the Notes--Certain Definitions")
to: incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends
and make investments and other restricted
payments; create restrictions on the ability of
Restricted Subsidiaries to make certain payments;
issue or sell stock of Restricted Subsidiaries;
enter into transactions with 5% stockholders or
affiliates; create liens; sell assets; and, with
respect to the Company, consolidate, merge, or
sell all or substantially all of its assets. See
"Description of the Notes--Covenants."
RISK FACTORS
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING
AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15.
SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Summary and under the caption "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus (including documents incorporated herein by
reference) constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among other things, the Company's limited operating history
and uncertainty as to the Company's future profitability; the ability to meet
construction and development schedules and budgets; the ability to develop and
implement operational and financial systems to manage rapidly growing
operations; the uncertainty as to the consumer demand for extended stay
lodging; increasing competition in the extended stay lodging market; the
ability to integrate and successfully operate acquired properties and the risks
associated with such properties; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable
terms to finance the Company's growth strategy; the ability of the Company to
operate within the limitations imposed by financing arrangements; and other
factors referenced in this Prospectus. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their
dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events, or otherwise. See "Risk Factors."
12
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The summary financial information set forth below has been derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company. The consolidated financial
statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995,
1996, and 1997 have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, whose report for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997
is incorporated by reference herein. The summary financial information for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 is derived from unaudited financial
statements of the Company incorporated herein by reference and includes all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which the Company
considers necessary for the fair presentation of its financial position and the
results of its operations for those periods. The summary financial information
should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and
related notes thereto, all of which is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
------- ------- -------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenue................ $10,309 $12,152 $ 16,768 $ 38,809 $ 130,800 $ 19,763 $ 54,231
Property operating
expenses.............. 4,458 5,256 6,706 16,560 60,391 10,180 26,282
Corporate operating and
property management
expenses.............. 792 881 4,669 16,867 29,951 5,755 9,393
Merger, financing and
other charges......... -- -- -- -- 19,895 -- --
Depreciation and
amortization.......... 1,313 1,472 2,059 6,139 21,331 3,712 9,430
Income (loss) from
operations............ 3,746 4,543 3,334 (757) (768) 116 9,126
Interest income
(expense), net(1)..... (2,498) (2,532) (507) 13,744 9,242 3,987 (1,122)
Provision for income
taxes(2).............. -- -- 1,217 5,231 5,838 1,633 3,202
Net income from
continuing operations. $ 1,050 $ 1,653 $ 1,468 $ 7,756 $ 2,636 $ 2,470 $ 4,802
======= ======= ======== ========= ========== ========= ==========
Net income from
continuing operations
per share(3):
Basic................. $ 0.05 $ 0.11 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.05
======== ========= ========== ========= ==========
Diluted............... $ 0.05 $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.05
======== ========= ========== ========= ==========
Weighted average
shares(3):
Basic................. 30,381 71,933 94,233 90,641 95,698
======== ========= ========== ========= ==========
Diluted............... 31,434 73,935 95,744 92,900 97,088
======== ========= ========== ========= ==========
OPERATING DATA:
Average occupancy
rates(4).............. 83% 85% 83% 73% 73% 65% 68%
Average weekly room
rate.................. $ 202 $ 222 $ 250 $ 261 $ 263 $ 256 $ 278
Operating facilities
(at period end)....... 17 18 24 75 185 93 218
Weighted average rooms
available(5).......... 1,142 1,201 1,479 3,783 12,558 8,977 21,623
Rooms (at period end).. 1,192 1,263 1,794 7,611 19,299 9,570 22,770
Facilities under
construction (at
period end)........... 1 2 16 61 84 78 75
Rooms under
construction (at
period end)........... 71 144 1,780 6,864 8,953 8,433 8,122
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Cash flows provided by
(used in):
Operating activities.. $ 2,498 $ 3,160 $ 4,186 $ 20,828 $ 50,263 $ 6,934 $ 16,960
Investing activities.. (2,692) (5,891) (35,330) (279,259) (609,064) (105,485) (139,469)
Financing activities.. 380 2,327 156,601 356,841 337,689 198,582 157,317
EBITDA(6).............. 5,059 6,015 5,393 5,382 20,563 3,828 18,556
Adjusted EBITDA(7)..... 5,059 6,015 5,393 5,382 40,458 3,828 18,556
Capital expenditures... 2,729 5,794 33,722 277,531 607,649 103,432 139,464
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(8)...... 1.4x 1.6x 2.4x 39.1x 4.9x -- 1.8x
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
PERIOD END):
Cash and cash
equivalents........... $ 861 $ 457 $125,915 $ 224,325 $ 3,213 $ 324,356 $ 38,021
Total assets........... 30,313 36,222 213,445 668,435 1,070,891 863,985 1,245,734
Long-term debt......... 28,831 32,306 4,000 -- 135,000 -- 300,000
Stockholders' equity
(deficit)............. (1,611) (1,247) 199,322 628,714 834,659 831,435 841,991
</TABLE>
(footnotes on following page)
13
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) Excludes interest of $153,000, $256,000, $329,000, and $1,731,000 for 1994,
1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively, and $3,804,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, capitalized during the construction of the Company's
facilities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
Statement No. 34 "Capitalization of Interest Cost."
(2) Historical financial information prior to SPH's initial public offering of
common stock in June 1995 (the "SPH IPO") does not include a provision for
income taxes because SPH's predecessor entities (the "SPH Predecessor
Entities") were S corporations or partnerships not subject to income taxes.
See the Company's consolidated financial statements incorporated by
reference herein.
(3) Net income per share for the year ended December 31, 1995 is presented on a
pro forma basis as if all of the Company's income for the period was
subject to income taxes. See note 10 to the Company's consolidated
financial statements incorporated by reference herein.
(4) Average occupancy rates are determined by dividing the rooms occupied on a
daily basis by the total number of rooms. Due to the Company's rapid
expansion, its overall average occupancy rate has been negatively impacted
by the lower occupancy typically experienced during the pre-stabilization
period for newly-opened facilities. This negative impact on occupancy is
expected to diminish as the ratio of new property openings during a period
to total properties in operation at the end of that period decreases.
(5) Weighted average rooms available is calculated by dividing total room
nights available during the year or quarter by 365 or 90, respectively.
(6) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and
amortization. EBITDA is provided because it is a measure commonly used in
the lodging industry. EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance
under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered
an alternative to net income as a measure of performance or to cash flow as
a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is not necessarily comparable with similarly
titled measures for other companies.
(7) Adjusted EBITDA means EBITDA before $19.9 million of one-time pre-tax
charges consisting of (i) $9.7 million of merger expenses and costs
associated with the integration of SPH's operations following the Merger,
(ii) the write-off of $9.7 million of debt issuance costs associated with
terminating two mortgage loan facilities upon execution of the Company's
$500 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit
Facility"), and (iii) a $500,000 charge in connection with listing the
Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), on the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE"). Management believes all these
charges are non-recurring in nature and will not affect the Company's
future results of operations.
(8) For purposes of calculating this ratio, earnings include income from
continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges other than
capitalized expenses. Fixed charges consist of interest, whether expensed
or capitalized. Assuming the Offering occurred as of January 1, 1997, for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1997
the Company's earnings from operations before income taxes and interest
expense would have been insufficient to cover the Company's interest
(whether expensed or capitalized) by $472,000 and $9.8 million,
respectively.
14
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In evaluating an investment in the Notes, prospective investors should
carefully consider the following factors in addition to the other information
contained in this Prospectus.
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANSION
ESA first began operating economy extended stay lodging facilities in August
1995 and has a limited operating history upon which investors may evaluate its
performance. Since 1995 the Company has been rapidly expanding its operations.
Through March 31, 1998, the Company had developed 207 facilities, acquired 11
others, and had 75 facilities under construction. In addition, the Company
plans to begin construction of approximately 96 additional facilities during
1998 and to continue an active development program thereafter. Because many of
the Company's facilities have only recently opened or been acquired by the
Company and because of the significant development and financing expenses
associated with the Company's expansion, the Company's historical financial
information may not be indicative of future performance. The Company's
inability to expand in accordance with its plans or to manage efficiently its
growth could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and
financial condition.
SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS; ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT
At December 31, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
issuance of the Old Notes, the Company would have had no Indebtedness (as
defined) outstanding other than the Old Notes. However, the Company would have
had $500 million of availability under the Credit Facility. On March 10, 1998,
the Company amended the Credit Facility to provide the Company with a $350
million revolving loan facility and $350 million of term loan facilities (the
"Amended Credit Facility"). The Amended Credit Facility also permits, but does
not make available, an additional $100 million of term loans to be made in the
future. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
Assuming the Offering of the Old Notes occurred as of January 1, 1997, for
the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company's earnings from operations
before income taxes and interest expense would have been insufficient to cover
the Company's interest (whether expensed or capitalized) by $9.8 million and
its EBITDA minus interest and capital expenditures for the year ended December
31, 1997 would have resulted in a deficiency of $606.8 million. The Company
expects to continue to incur significant negative cash flow (after capital
expenditures) as it rapidly expands its operations. The Company intends to
fund such expansion with the net proceeds from the issuance of the Old Notes,
cash flow from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings under the Amended
Credit Facility. Although there can be no assurance, the Company expects that
it will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its current and
future debt service requirements. If the Company's properties do not perform
as expected, the Company may not be able to make required payments under the
Amended Credit Facility or on the Notes and may have to refinance such
indebtedness in order to repay these obligations.
The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to holders of the Notes, including the following: (i) the
Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working
capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, or general corporate purposes may
be impaired; (ii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from
operations may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on its
indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for its
operations; (iii) all of the indebtedness incurred under the Amended Credit
Facility is scheduled to become due prior to the time any principal payments
are required on the Notes; and (iv) certain of the Company's borrowings will
be at variable rates of interest, which will cause the Company to be
vulnerable to increases in interest rates.
ABILITY TO INCUR ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS; REFINANCING RISk
The Company expects to require significant additional financing in the
future. See "--Need for Additional Capital." The Indenture permits the Company
to incur up to $800 million of indebtedness, which may be
15
<PAGE>
incurred under the Amended Credit Facility or otherwise, and additional
indebtedness if certain financial ratios are satisfied. The Indenture also
permits other specified indebtedness to be incurred by the Company. See
"Description of the Notes." The Amended Credit Facility provides the Company
with a $350 million revolving credit facility and up to $350 million of term
loans (and permits, but does not make available, an additional $100 million of
term loans), with the availability of the revolving credit facility and the
term loans subject to satisfaction of certain financial ratios and other
conditions.
The Company may have to refinance the indebtedness drawn under the Amended
Credit Facility at its maturity. In addition, the Notes permit the Company to
incur additional indebtedness, which may mature and need to be refinanced
prior to the maturity date of the Notes. The Company's ability to refinance
the indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility and any future indebtedness
will depend on, among other things, its financial condition at the time, the
restrictions in the instruments governing its then outstanding indebtedness,
and other factors, including market conditions, which are beyond the control
of the Company. In the absence of such refinancing, the Company could be
forced to dispose of assets in order to make up for any shortfall in the
payments due on its indebtedness under circumstances that might not be
favorable to realizing the highest price for such assets.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
The Notes are expressly subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company and are pari passu in right of payment with all senior subordinated
indebtedness of the Company. In the event of the Company's bankruptcy,
insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, or other winding up, or
upon the acceleration of any Senior Indebtedness, the lenders under the
Amended Credit Facility and any other holder of Senior Indebtedness must be
paid in full before the holders of the Notes may be paid. In addition, under
certain circumstances no payment may be made with respect to the principal of
or interest on the Notes if a payment default or certain other defaults exist
with respect to certain Senior Indebtedness. Moveover, all existing and future
liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company's subsidiaries will be
effectively senior to the Notes. As of December 31, 1997, the Company's
subsidiaries had $101.2 million of liabilities (excluding inter-company
payables).
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
The terms of the Amended Credit Facility and the Indenture contain certain
restrictive covenants, including, among others, covenants significantly
limiting or prohibiting the ability of the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, make investments, engage in transactions
with shareholders and affiliates, incur liens, create restrictions on the
ability of certain subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain payments to
the Company, merge or consolidate with any other person, or sell, assign,
transfer, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company. In addition, the Company is required under the
Amended Credit Facility to maintain certain specified financial ratios. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain such ratios or
that such covenants will not adversely affect the Company's ability to finance
its future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business
activities that may be in the interest of the Company. The breach of any of
these covenants or the inability of the Company to comply with the required
financial ratios could result in a default under the Amended Credit Facility
or the Indenture. In the event of any such default, depending on the actions
taken by the lenders under the Amended Credit Facility, the Company could be
prohibited from making any payments of principal or interest on the Notes. In
addition, such lenders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed under the
Amended Credit Facility, together with accrued interest, to be due and
payable. If the Company were unable to repay such borrowings, the lenders
under the Amended Credit Facility could proceed against their collateral. If
the indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility were to be accelerated,
there can be no assurance that the assets of the Company would be sufficient
to repay such indebtedness and the Notes in full. See "--Subordination of
Notes," "Description of Certain Indebtedness," and "Description of the Notes."
16
<PAGE>
DEVELOPMENT RISKS
The Company intends to grow primarily by developing additional Company-owned
extended stay lodging facilities. Development involves substantial risks,
including the risk that development costs will exceed budgeted or contracted
amounts, the risk of delays in completion of construction, the risk of failing
to obtain all necessary zoning and construction permits, the risk that
financing might not be available on favorable terms, the risk that developed
properties will not achieve desired revenue or cash flow levels once opened,
the risk of competition for suitable development sites from competitors (some
of which have greater financial resources than the Company), the risks of
incurring substantial unrecoverable costs in the event a development project is
abandoned prior to completion, changes in governmental rules, regulations, and
interpretations (including interpretations of the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act), and general economic and business conditions. Although
the Company intends to manage its development to reduce such risks, there can
be no assurance that present or future developments will perform in accordance
with the Company's expectations. Through March 31, 1998, the Company had
developed 207 extended stay lodging facilities, acquired 11 others, and had 75
facilities under construction. The Company plans to begin construction of
approximately 96 additional facilities during 1998 and to continue an active
development program thereafter. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company will complete the development and construction of the facilities or
that any such developments will be completed in a timely manner or within
budget. The Company's inability to expand in accordance with its plans or to
manage its growth could have a material adverse effect on its results of
operations and financial condition.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RAPID GROWTH
The Company's rapid development plans will require the implementation of
enhanced operational and financial systems and will require additional
management, operational, and financial resources. For example, the Company will
be required to recruit and train property managers and other personnel for each
new lodging facility as well as additional accounting personnel. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to manage its expanding operations
effectively. The failure to implement such systems and add such resources on a
cost-effective basis could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations and financial condition.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LODGING INDUSTRY
The extended stay segment of the lodging industry may be adversely affected
by changes in national or local economic conditions, neighborhood
characteristics and other local market conditions, such as an oversupply of
hotel space or a reduction in demand for hotel space in a geographic area,
changes in travel patterns, extreme weather conditions, changes in governmental
regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, or construction costs,
changes in interest rates, the availability of financing for operating or
capital needs, and changes in real estate tax rates and other operating
expenses. The Company's principal assets consist of real property, and real
estate values are sensitive to changes in local market and economic conditions
and to fluctuations in the economy as a whole. In addition, due in part to the
strong correlation between the lodging industry's performance and economic
conditions, the lodging industry is subject to cyclical changes in revenues
and profits. These risks may be exacerbated by the relatively illiquid nature
of real estate holdings. The ability of the Company to vary its portfolio in
response to changes in economic and other conditions will be limited. There can
be no assurance that downturns or prolonged adverse conditions in real estate
or capital markets or in national, state, or local economies, and the inability
of the Company to dispose of an investment when it finds disposition to be
advantageous or necessary, will not have a material adverse impact on the
Company.
COMPETITION IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY
The lodging industry is highly competitive. Competitive factors within the
lodging industry include room rates, quality of accommodations, service levels,
convenience of location, reputation, reservation systems, and
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name recognition. The Company competes with traditional lodging facilities
(including limited service hotels), other extended stay facilities, including
those owned and operated by competing chains and individually-owned extended
stay facilities, and alternative lodging, including short-term lease
apartments. There is no single competitor or small number of competitors that
is or are dominant in the mid-price, economy, or budget extended stay
categories. However, some of the Company's indirect competitors have
substantially larger networks of locations and greater financial resources
than the Company. A number of major lodging companies have announced their
intent to aggressively develop extended stay lodging properties which may
compete directly with the Company's properties and the Company expects
competition in the extended stay lodging segment to increase. Competition in
the U.S. lodging industry is based generally on convenience of location,
price, range of services and guest amenities offered, and quality of customer
service. The Company considers the location of its lodging facilities, the
reasonableness of its room rates, and the services and guest amenities
provided by it to be among the most important factors in its business.
Demographic or other changes in one or more of the Company's markets could
impact the convenience or desirability of the sites of certain lodging
facilities, which would adversely affect their operations. Further, there can
be no assurance that new or existing competitors will not significantly lower
rates or offer greater convenience, services, or amenities or significantly
expand or improve facilities in a market in which the Company's facilities
compete, thereby adversely affecting the Company's operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS
Although the Company expects that the construction and development of new
extended stay lodging facilities will be its primary means of expansion, the
Company has also made, and may continue making, acquisitions of existing
extended stay lodging facilities or other properties that are suitable for
conversion to the extended stay concept and acquisitions of companies that
operate in the extended stay lodging market. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to acquire other extended stay lodging facilities or
companies on terms favorable to the Company. When the Company does make such
acquisitions, it encounters various associated risks, including possible
environmental and other regulatory costs, goodwill amortization, diversion of
management's attention, potential inability to integrate the acquired business
with the Company's existing operations, and unanticipated problems or
liabilities, some or all of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations and financial performance.
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
The Company expects to continue to rapidly expand its operations. The
Company expects to make capital expenditures of at least $600 million in 1998.
The Company believes that the net proceeds from the issuance of the Old Notes,
together with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings expected
to be available under the Amended Credit Facility, will provide sufficient
funds for the Company to expand its business as presently planned and to fund
its operating expenses through early 1999. Thereafter the Company expects it
will require additional funding to continue its expansion as currently
planned. However, the timing and the amount of financing needed will depend on
a number of factors, including the number of properties the Company constructs
or acquires, the timing of such development, and the cash flow generated by
its properties. In the event that the capital markets provide favorable
opportunities, the Company's plans or assumptions change or prove to be
inaccurate, or the foregoing sources of funds prove to be insufficient to fund
the Company's growth and operations, the Company may seek additional capital
sooner than currently anticipated. Sources of financing may include public or
private debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance that such
additional financing will be available to the Company or, if available, that
it can be obtained on acceptable terms or within the limitations contained in
the Company's financing arrangements. See "--Restrictive Covenants." Failure
to obtain such financing could result in the delay or abandonment of some or
all of the Company's development and expansion plans and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
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IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The Company may be adversely affected by the obligation to pay for the cost
of complying with existing environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations. In
addition, in the event any future legislation is adopted, the Company may,
from time to time, be required to make significant capital and operating
expenditures in response to such legislation. Under various federal, state,
and local environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations, a current or
previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the costs of
removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on, under, or in such
property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or
operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or
toxic substances. In addition, the presence of contamination from hazardous or
toxic substances, or the failure to properly remediate such contaminated
property, may adversely affect the owner's ability to borrow using such real
property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of
hazardous or toxic substances also may be liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of such substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether
or not such facility is or ever was owned or operated by such person. Certain
environmental laws and common-law principles could be used to impose liability
for releases of hazardous materials, including asbestos-containing materials
("ACMs"), into the environment, and third parties may seek recovery from
owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with
exposure to released ACMs or other hazardous materials. Environmental laws
also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or
transferred or in which businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may
require expenditures. In connection with the ownership of its properties, the
Company may be potentially liable for any such costs. The cost of defending
against claims of liability or remediating contaminated property and the cost
of complying with environmental laws could materially adversely affect the
Company's results of operations and financial condition. The Company attempts
to minimize its exposure to potential environmental liability through its
site-selection procedures. The Company typically secures an option to purchase
land subject to certain contingencies. Prior to exercising such option and
purchasing the property, the Company conducts a Phase I environmental
assessment (which generally involves a physical inspection and database
search, but not soil or groundwater analyses) and may conduct Phase II
assessments if it is deemed necessary.
LOSSES IN EXCESS OF INSURANCE COVERAGE
The Company maintains comprehensive insurance on each of its properties,
including liability, fire, and extended coverage, in the types and amounts the
Company believes are customarily obtained by an owner and operator in the
Company's industry. Nevertheless, there are certain types of losses, generally
of a catastrophic nature, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, that
may be uninsurable or not economically insurable. The Company uses its
discretion in determining amounts, coverage limits, and deductibility
provisions of insurance, with a view to obtaining appropriate insurance on the
Company's properties at a reasonable cost and on suitable terms. This may
result in insurance coverage that in the event of a loss would not be
sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement value
of the Company's lost investment and the insurance proceeds received by the
Company might not be adequate to restore its economic position with respect to
such property.
RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company's success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts and
abilities of its senior management and key employees, particularly Mr. H.
Wayne Huizenga, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. George
D. Johnson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and
Mr. Robert A. Brannon, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company. The Company does not have employment
or consulting agreements with any of its officers nor does it carry key-man
life insurance on any of its officers.
CONTROL OF THE COMPANY BY MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS; CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST
As of December 31, 1997, H. Wayne Huizenga, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company, George D. Johnson, Jr., the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, and Stewart H. Johnson, a director of the
Company, beneficially owned approximately 15.7% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock,
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and these individuals together with other executive officers and directors of
the Company as a group owned approximately 20.7% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Certain decisions concerning the operations or financial
structure of the Company may present conflicts of interest between the owners
of the Company's capital stock and the holders of the Notes. For example, if
the Company encounters financial difficulties, or is unable to pay its debts
as they mature, the interests of the Company's equity investors might conflict
with those of the holders of the Notes. In addition, the equity investors may
have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings, or other
transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment,
even though such transactions might involve risk to the holders of the Notes.
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
The New Notes are new securities for which there is currently no trading
market. Although the Placement Agents have informed the Company that they
currently intend to make a market in the New Notes and the Old Notes, they are
not obligated to do so and any such market making may be discontinued at any
time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the
development or liquidity of any market for the Notes, the ability of holders
to sell the Notes, or the price at which holders would be able to sell the
Notes. Future trading prices of the Notes will depend on many factors,
including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's
operating results, the market for similar securities and, in the case of the
Old Notes, the restrictions on transfer with respect thereto. Historically,
the market for securities similar to the New Notes, including non-investment
grade debt, has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial
volatility in the prices of such securities. There can be no assurance that
any market for the New Notes, if such market develops, will not be subject to
similar disruptions. In connection with the issuance of the Old Notes, the
Company arranged for the Old Notes to be designated for trading in the Nasdaq
Stock Market's Portal MarketSM. The Company does not intend to apply for
listing of either the Old Notes or the New Notes on any securities exchange or
for quotation through the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s
Automated Quotation System.
Notwithstanding the registration of the New Notes in the Exchange Offer,
each holder that may be deemed an "affiliate" (as defined under Rule 405 under
the Securities Act) of the Company will represent to the Company that such
holder understands and acknowledges that the New Notes may not be offered for
resale, resold, or otherwise transferred by that holder without registration
under the Securities Act or exemption therefrom.
Each broker-dealer or other dealer that receives New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer or other dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
Issuance of the New Notes in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be made only after a timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of such
Old Notes, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, and
all other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Old Notes desiring to
tender such Old Notes in exchange for New Notes should allow sufficient time
to ensure timely delivery. The Company is under no duty to give notification
of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of Old Notes for
exchange. See "The Exchange Offer." Old Notes that are not tendered or are
tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, continue to be subject to the existing restrictions upon transfer
thereof and, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the registration rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement will terminate. In addition, any
holder of Old Notes who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of
participating in a distribution of the New Notes may be deemed to have
received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
in
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connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." To
the extent that Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the
trading market, if any, for untendered and tendered but unaccepted Old Notes
could be adversely affected. See "The Exchange Offer."
CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER ON NON-TENDERING HOLDERS OF THE OLD NOTES
AND BROKER-DEALERS RECEIVING NEW NOTES
The Company intends for the Exchange Offer to satisfy its registration
obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. If the Exchange Offer is
consummated, the Company does not intend to file further registration
statements for the sale or other disposition of Old Notes. Consequently,
following completion of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes seeking
liquidity in their investment would have to rely on an exemption to the
registration requirements under applicable securities laws, including the
Securities Act, with respect to any sale or other disposition of the Old
Notes. In addition, broker-dealers that receive New Notes in exchange for Old
Notes acquired in market-making activities or other trading activities must
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. The
Company has agreed to use its best efforts to maintain this registration
statement effective for 120 days from the consummation of the Exchange Offer
and amend or supplement this Prospectus for such purpose. Thereafter, the
Company has no obligation to furnish broker-dealers holding New Notes with a
prospectus to deliver in connection with any such resale. See "The Exchange
Offer" and "Plan of Distribution."
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Old Notes were sold by the Company to the Placement Agents on March 10,
1998 pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agreement. The Placement Agents
subsequently sold the Old Notes to "qualified institutional buyers" in
reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States
to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. In
connection with the sale of the Old Notes, the Company and the Placement
Agents entered into the Registration Rights Agreement which requires the
Company, among other things, to file with the Commission a registration
statement under the Securities Act covering the offer by the Company to
exchange all of the Old Notes for the New Notes and to use its best efforts to
cause such registration statement to become effective under the Securities
Act. The Company is further obligated, upon the effectiveness of that
registration statement, to offer the holders of the Old Notes the opportunity
to exchange their Old Notes for an equal principal amount of New Notes, which
will be issued without a restrictive legend and which, subject to the
exceptions described in this Prospectus, may be reoffered and resold by the
holder without restrictions or limitations under the Securities Act. A copy of
the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Exchange Offer
is being made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to satisfy the
Company's obligations thereunder. The term "Holder" with respect to the
Exchange Offer means any person in whose name Old Notes are registered on the
Company's books or any other person who has obtained a properly completed
assignment from the registered holder.
In order to participate in the Exchange Offer, a Holder must represent to
the Company, among other things, that (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to
the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of
the person receiving such New Notes, whether or not such person is the Holder,
(ii) neither the Holder nor any such other person is engaging in or intends to
engage in a distribution of such New Notes, (iii) neither the Holder nor any
such other person has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such New Notes, and (iv) neither the Holder
nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405
promulgated under the Securities Act, of the Company, or a broker-dealer who
receives such New Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule
144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act.
RESALE OF NEW NOTES
Based on a previous interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth
in certain no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company believes
that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by any Holder of such New Notes
(other than any such Holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act or a broker-dealer who receives
such New Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act) without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
Holder's business and such Holder has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes. Any Holder who
tenders in the Exchange Offer with the intention of participating in a
distribution of the New Notes cannot rely on such interpretation by the staff
of the Commission as set forth in such no-action letters and must comply with
the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction. Under no circumstances may
this Prospectus be used for an offer to resell, a resale, or other retransfer
of the New Notes. In the event that the Company's belief is inaccurate,
Holders of the New Notes who transfer New Notes in violation of the prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act and without an exemption from
registration thereunder may incur liability thereunder. The Company does not
assume or indemnify Holders against such liability. The Exchange Offer is not
being made to, nor will the Company accept surrenders for exchange from,
Holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the
acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdiction. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its
own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
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trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. The Company has not entered into
any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New Notes
to be received in the Exchange Offer. See "Plan of Distribution."
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept any and all Old
Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. The Company will issue $1,000 principal amount
of New Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Old
Notes surrendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Old Notes may be tendered
only in integral multiples of $1,000.
The form and terms of the New Notes will be the same as the form and terms
of the Old Notes except that the New Notes will be registered under the
Securities Act and hence will not bear legends restricting the transfer
thereof. The New Notes will evidence the same indebtedness as the Old Notes.
The New Notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture, which also authorized the issuance of the Old Notes, such that both
series will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the
Indenture.
As of the date of this Prospectus, $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of Old Notes are outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is being sent to all registered Holders of the Old Notes.
The Company intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement and the applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder. Old Notes that are not tendered for exchange under the
Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and will be entitled to the rights and
benefits such Holders have under the Indenture.
The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes
when, as, and if the Company shall have given oral or written notice thereof
to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering
Holders for the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company.
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein, or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned,
without expense, to the tendering Holder thereof as promptly as practicable
after the Expiration Date.
Holders who tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required to
pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange pursuant to
the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than
certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange
Offer. See "--Fees and Expenses" below.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time on
, 1998, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the
Exchange Offer, in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest
date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
In order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify the Exchange
Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will mail to the
registered Holders an announcement thereof, prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the next business day after the Expiration Date.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay
accepting any Old Notes, to extend the Exchange Offer or to terminate the
Exchange Offer if any of the conditions set forth below under "--Conditions"
shall not have been satisfied by giving oral or written notice of such delay,
extension or termination to the Exchange Agent or (ii) to amend the terms of
the Exchange Offer in any manner. Any such delay in acceptances, extension,
termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral
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or written notice thereof to the registered Holders. If the Exchange Offer is
amended in a manner determined by the Company to constitute a material change,
the Company will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered Holders, and the Company
will extend the Exchange Offer for a period of five to ten business days,
depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure
to the registered Holders, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during
such five to ten business day period.
Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make a public
announcement of any delay, extension, amendment, or termination of the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or
otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a
timely release to an appropriate news agency.
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the Exchange Offer, the
Company will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Old Notes
properly tendered and will issue the New Notes promptly after acceptance of
the Old Notes. See "--Conditions" below. For purposes of the Exchange Offer,
the Company shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered Old Notes for
exchange when, as, and if the Company shall have given oral or written notice
thereof to the Exchange Agent.
In all cases, issuance of the New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined herein) by an
Agent's Message (as defined herein) in lieu of a Letter of Transmittal, and
all other required documents; provided, however, that the Company reserves the
absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities in the tender or
conditions of the Exchange Offer. If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted
for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or
if Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the Holder
desires to exchange, then such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes
evidencing the unaccepted portion, as appropriate, will be returned without
expense to the tendering Holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES
The New Notes will bear interest from the date of the last interest payment
on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original
issuance of the Old Notes (March 10, 1998) to the date of Exchange thereof for
New Notes. Holders whose Old Notes are exchanged will be deemed to have waived
the right to receive any interest accrued, but not paid, on the Old Notes.
CONDITIONS
The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange (provided, however, that the
New Notes are issuable only in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof). However, notwithstanding any
other term of the Exchange Offer, the Company will not be required to exchange
any New Notes for any Old Notes and may terminate the Exchange Offer before
the acceptance of any Old Notes for exchange, if:
(a) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or
by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer
which, in the Company's reasonable judgment, might materially impair the
ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or
(b) any law, statute, rule, or regulation is proposed, adopted, or
enacted, or any existing law, statute, rule, or regulation is interpreted
by the staff of the Commission, which, in the Company's reasonable
judgment, might materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed
with the Exchange Offer; or
(c) any governmental approval or approval by Holders of the Old Notes has
not been obtained, which approval the Company shall, in its reasonable
judgment, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as
contemplated hereby.
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If the Company determines in its sole discretion that any of these
conditions are not satisfied, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any Old
Notes and return all tendered Old Notes to the tendering Holders, (ii) extend
the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Notes tendered prior to the expiration
of the Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the rights of Holders who tendered
such Old Notes to withdraw their tendered Old Notes, or (iii) waive such
unsatisfied conditions with respect to the Exchange Offer and accept all
properly tendered Old Notes which have not been withdrawn. If such waiver
constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly
disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be
distributed to the registered Holders, and the Company will extend the
Exchange Offer for a period of five to ten business days, depending upon the
significance of the waiver and the manner of disclosure to the registered
Holders, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such five to ten
business day period.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
To tender in the Exchange Offer, a holder must complete, sign, and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures thereon
guaranteed if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and mail or otherwise
deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together with any other
required documents, to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such
Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along with the Letter of
Transmittal prior to the Expiration Date, or (ii) a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Existing Notes into
the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry
Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described below, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, or (iii) the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS.
IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY
INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL,
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD
NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE
BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES, OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE
ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS. To be tendered effectively, the Letter of
Transmittal and other required documents must be received by the Exchange
Agent at the address set forth below under "--Exchange Agent" prior to the
Expiration Date.
The tender by a Holder of Old Notes that is not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date will constitute an agreement between such Holder and the
Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein and in the Letter of Transmittal. Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes
are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company, or other nominee and who wishes to tender its Old Notes should
contact the registered Holder promptly and instruct such registered Holder to
tender such Old Notes on such beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial
owner wishes to tender its Old Notes on such owner's own behalf, such owner
must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and
delivering such owner's Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to
register ownership of the Old Notes in such owner's name or obtain a properly
completed assignment from the registered Holder. The transfer of registered
ownership of Old Notes may take considerable time.
Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below)
unless the Old Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a
registered Holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal
or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantor must be a member firm of
a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association
25
<PAGE>
of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States, or an "eligible guarantor
institution" within the meaning of Rule l7Ad-15 under the Exchange Act
(an "Eligible Institution").
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
Holder of any Old Notes listed therein, such Old Notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by a properly completed bond or stock power, as the case may be,
signed by such registered Holder as such registered Holder's name appears on
such Old Notes.
If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond or stock powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by
the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act
must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered Old Notes, and withdrawal of tendered Old
Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes
the Company's acceptance of which would, in the Company's opinion, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any defects,
irregularities, or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. The
Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. Although the Company intends to notify Holders of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, none of the
Company, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall incur any liability for
failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to
have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.
Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered
and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived
will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders, unless
otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable
following the Expiration Date.
In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to
purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent
to the Expiration Date or, as set forth above under "--Conditions" above, to
terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the
terms of the Exchange Offer.
By tendering, each Holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New
Notes, whether or not such person is the Holder, (ii) neither the Holder nor
any such other person is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of
such New Notes, (iii) neither the Holder nor any such other person has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Notes, and (iv) neither the Holder nor any such other
person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the
Company, or a broker-dealer who received New Notes directly from the Company
to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act.
In all cases, issuance of New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such
Old Notes (or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation), a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (unless such Old Notes are tendered via a Book-
Entry Confirmation), and all other required documents. If any tendered Old
Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of
the Exchange Offer or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater number of
shares than the Holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged
Old Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof
(or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by Book-Entry Confirmation pursuant to
the book-entry transfer procedures described below, such non-exchanged Old
Notes will be credited to an account maintained with the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of
the Exchange Offer.
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<PAGE>
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Old Notes at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the purposes of the
Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of this Prospectus, and
any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, with
any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must, in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the address
set forth below under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or
the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
EXCHANGING BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The Exchange Agent and The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") have confirmed
that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may utilize the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP")
procedures to tender Old Notes.
Any DTC participant may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing DTC
to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account in accordance
with DTC's ATOP procedures for transfer. However, the exchange for the Old
Notes so tendered will only be made after a Book-Entry Confirmation of such
book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account, and timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent of an Agent's Message (as such term is defined
in the next sentence) and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC
and received by the Exchange Agent and forming part of a Book-Entry
Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment
from a participant tendering Old Notes that are the subject of such Book-Entry
Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the Letter of Transmittal, and that the Company may enforce such
agreement against such participant.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, the Letter
of Transmittal, or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to
the Expiration Date, or (iii) who cannot comply with the book-entry transfer
procedures on a timely basis, may effect a tender if:
(a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
(b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
setting forth the name and address of the Holder, the certificate number(s)
of such Old Notes (if such Holder holds physical certificates representing
such Old Notes) and the number of shares of Old Notes tendered, and stating
that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three
New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, either (i)
the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the
certificate(s) representing the Old Notes and any other documents required
by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution
with the Exchange Agent or (ii) a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such
Old Notes by an Agent's Message in lieu of a Letter of Transmittal, if such
procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described herein, and any required documents, will be received by the
Exchange Agent; and
(c) Either (i) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof), as well as the certificate(s) representing all
tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer and other documents required
by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange Agent within
three New York Stock
27
<PAGE>
Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, or (ii) such timely Book-
Entry Confirmation of such Old Notes by an Agent's Message in lieu of a
Letter of Transmittal, if such procedure is available, into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described herein, and any required
documents, are received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.
Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above.
TERMINATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS
All rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (including registration
rights) of holders of the Old Notes eligible to participate in the Exchange
Offer will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer except with
respect to the Company's continuing obligations (i) to indemnify such holders
(including any broker-dealers) and certain parties related to such holders
against certain liabilities (including liabilities under the Securities Act),
(ii) to provide, upon the request of any holder of a transfer-restricted Old
Note held by a Qualified Institutional Buyer (as defined in Rule 144A), the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to
permit resales of such Old Notes pursuant to Rule 144A, (iii) to use its best
efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective to the extent necessary
to ensure that it is available for resales of transfer-restricted Old Notes by
broker-dealers for a period of up to 120 days from the Expiration Date, and
(iv) to provide copies of the latest version of the Prospectus to broker-
dealers upon their request for a period of up to 120 days after the Expiration
Date.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the
certificate number), (iii) be signed by the Holder in the same manner as the
original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were
tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the Exchange Agent register the
transfer of such Old Notes in the name of the person withdrawing the tender,
and (iv) specify the name in which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if
different from that of the Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form,
and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined
by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered
for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New Notes will be issued with
respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any
Old Notes that have been tendered but that are not accepted for payment will
be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender, or termination of the
Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following
one of the procedures described above under "--Procedures for Tendering" at
any time prior to the Expiration Date.
28
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE AGENT
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company has been appointed Exchange Agent
for the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus or the Letter of Transmittal and requests
for a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery with respect to the Old Notes should be
addressed to the Exchange Agent as follows:
By Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Overnight Courier, or Hand Delivery:
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
50 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Russell T. Whitley
By Telephone: (716) 842-5602; By Facsimile: (716) 842-4474
FEES AND EXPENSES
The expenses of soliciting tenders in connection with the Exchange Offer
will be paid by the Company. The principal solicitation is being made by mail;
however, additional solicitation may be made by telecopier, telephone, or in
person by officers and regular employees of the Company and its affiliates.
The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers-dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay
the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for their services and will
reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith.
The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
paid by the Company. Such expenses include registration fees, fees and
expenses of the Exchange Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees, and
printing costs, among others.
The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates
representing Old Notes for shares not tendered or accepted for exchange are to
be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered Holder of Old Notes tendered, or, if tendered, the Old Notes are
registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter
of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of
any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other
persons) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such transfer taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with
the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering Holder.
29
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the New
Notes offered hereby. In consideration for issuing the New Notes as
contemplated in this Prospectus, the Company will receive in exchange Old
Notes in like principal amount, the terms of which are the same in all
material respects as the form and terms of to the New Notes, except that the
New Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and will not contain
terms restricting the transfer thereof. The Old Notes surrendered in exchange
for the New Notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued.
Accordingly, issuance of the New Notes will not result in any increase in the
indebtedness of the Company.
The net proceeds received by the Company from the issuance of the Old Notes
were approximately $193.7 million. The Company used a portion of the net
proceeds from the Offering to repay outstanding revolving loans under the
Credit Facility, which may be reborrowed (subject to satisfaction of certain
conditions). See "Description of Certain Indebtedness." A total of
$128,500,000 of revolving loans were repaid with such proceeds, which bore
interest at an annual rate of approximately 7.8%, and which were initially
borrowed to finance the development of extended stay lodging facilities. The
Company used the remaining proceeds of the Offering to expand its business by
developing additional extended stay lodging facilities and for other general
corporate purposes.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated cash and capitalization of
the Company as of December 31, 1997 and as adjusted to give effect to the
Offering. This table should be read in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds,"
"Selected Financial Information," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the financial statements
and notes thereto included elsewhere herein or incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1997
--------------------
AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED(A)
-------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and Cash Equivalents........................... $ 3,213 $ 61,913
======== ==========
Long-Term Debt:
Credit Facility................................... $135,000 $ --
-------- ----------
Notes offered hereby.............................. -- 200,000
-------- ----------
Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares
authorized and 95,604,208 shares issued and
outstanding...................................... 956 956
Additional paid-in capital........................ 823,060 823,060
Retained earnings................................. 10,643 10,643
-------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity...................... 834,659 834,659
-------- ----------
Total capitalization............................ $969,659 $1,034,659
======== ==========
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) As adjusted reflects the repayment of indebtedness outstanding on December
31, 1997 under the Credit Facility with the proceeds from the Offering but
does not reflect (i) approximately $93.5 million of additional borrowings
made by the Company under the Credit Facility between December 31, 1997
and March 10, 1998, (ii) conversion on March 10, 1998 of $100 million
borrowed under the Credit Facility to term loans, or (iii) any of the
additional financing available to the Company under the Amended Credit
Facility. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, issued under the Indenture.
The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not purport
to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions
of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Whenever
particular defined terms of the Indenture not otherwise defined herein are
referred to, the definitions ascribed to such terms in the Indenture are
incorporated herein by reference. For definitions of certain capitalized terms
used in the following summary, see "--Certain Definitions."
GENERAL
The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, unsecured senior subordinated
obligations of the Company, initially limited to $200.0 million aggregate
principal amount, and will mature on March 15, 2008. Each Note will initially
bear interest at 9.15% per annum from March 10, 1998 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable
semiannually (to Holders of record at the close of business on the March 1 or
September 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date) on March 15 and
September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 1998.
Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes are and will be
payable, and the Notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or
agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York (which
initially will be the corporate trust office of the Trustee at 50 Broadway,
New York, New York 10004); provided that, at the option of the Company,
payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their
addresses as they appear in the Security Register.
The Notes are and will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 of principal amount and any integral
multiple thereof. See "--Book-Entry; Delivery and Form." No service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Subject to the covenants described below under "Covenants" and applicable
law, the Company may issue additional Notes under the Indenture. The Notes
offered hereby and any additional Notes subsequently issued would be treated
as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, redeemable at the Company's
option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after
March 15, 2003 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' prior notice mailed by first class mail to each Holder's last address as
it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices
(expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if
redeemed during the 12-month period commencing March 15 of the years set forth
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REDEMPTION
YEAR PRICE
---- ----------
<S> <C>
2003.......................... 104.575%
2004.......................... 103.050
2005.......................... 101.525
2006 and thereafter........... 100.000
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
In addition, at any time prior to March 15, 2001, the Company may redeem up
to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or more
sales by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), at
any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount) of 109.15%, plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the
relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive
interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that at least $130 million
aggregate principal amount of Notes remains outstanding after each such
redemption and that notice of such redemption is mailed within 60 days after
the consummation of such sale or sales.
In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption
will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the
principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed
or, if the Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange, by lot or
by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be
fair and appropriate; provided that no Note of $1,000 in principal amount or
less shall be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only,
the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal
to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
thereof upon cancellation of the original Note.
SINKING FUND
There will be no sinking fund payments for the Notes.
RANKING
The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, senior subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company. The payment of the Senior Subordinated
Obligations will, to the extent set forth in the Indenture, be subordinated in
right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of
all existing and future Senior Indebtedness. After giving pro forma effect to
the Offering of the Old Notes, as of December 31, 1997, the Company would have
had no Indebtedness outstanding other than the Old Notes and $500 million of
availability under the Credit Agreement (subject to borrowing base
restrictions). On March 10, 1998, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to
provide the Company with committed senior credit facilities totalling $700
million, subject to borrowing base restrictions. The Credit Agreement is
secured by a first priority lien on all stock owned by the Company and its
subsidiaries and all other current and future assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries (other than real property and certain other exceptions). In
addition, all existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of
the subsidiaries of the Company will be effectively senior to the Notes, and
as of December 31, 1997, such subsidiaries would have had $101.2 million of
liabilities (excluding inter-company payables). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in
any defeasance trust described under "--Defeasance" below, will not be
contractually subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness or
subject to the restrictions described herein.
Except with respect to the money, securities or proceeds held under any
defeasance trust established in accordance with the Indenture, upon any
payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, upon any dissolution or
winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership
or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior
Indebtedness (including any interest accruing subsequent to an event of
bankruptcy at the rate provided in such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not
such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the debtor under the
United States Bankruptcy Code or other applicable law) shall first be paid in
full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders of the Notes or the
Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to receive any
payment by (or on behalf of) the Company on account of Senior Subordinated
Obligations or any payment to acquire any of the Notes for cash, property or
securities, or any distribution with respect to the Notes of any cash,
property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of,
the Company on any Senior Subordinated
32
<PAGE>
Obligations (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any
defeasance trust established in accordance with the Indenture), upon any such
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or
distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Notes or
the Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Notes would be entitled, but for
the subordination provisions of the Indenture, shall be made by the Company or
by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
similar Person making such payment or distribution or by the Holders of the
Notes or the Trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective
amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their representatives
or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests
appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full,
in cash or cash equivalents after giving effect to any concurrent payment,
distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of Senior
Subordinated Obligations (other than with the money, securities or proceeds
held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the Indenture),
whether pursuant to the terms of the Notes or upon acceleration or otherwise
shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the
payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Senior Indebtedness of
the Company and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the
benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness. In addition, during the continuance of any other event of
default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which
the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of
written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness (or the holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of such Designated Senior Indebtedness then outstanding), no
payment of Senior Subordinated Obligations (other than with the money,
securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in
accordance with the Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of the Company upon
or in respect of the Notes for a period (a "Payment Blockage Period")
commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days
thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period shall be
terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other
representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash
equivalents of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or such event of default
has been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced with respect to the Notes during any period of 360 consecutive days.
Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180
consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage Period is
in effect. No event of default (other than an event of default pursuant to the
financial maintenance covenants under the Credit Agreement) that existed or
was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would
give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an
event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new
event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any
Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness
initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis
for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period by the representative
for, or the holders of, such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not
within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall
have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
To the extent any payment of Senior Indebtedness (whether by or on behalf of
the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or
otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required
to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent
or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or
paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent
or other similar Person, the Senior Indebtedness or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as
if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any
Senior Indebtedness is declared to be fraudulent, invalid, or otherwise set
aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or
similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent, invalid or otherwise
set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had
such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and
outstanding as Senior Indebtedness for all purposes hereof as if such
declaration, invalidity or setting aside had not occurred.
33
<PAGE>
By reason of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
liquidation or insolvency, creditors of the Company who are not holders of
Senior Indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior
Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than Holders of the Notes.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
covenants and other provisions of the Indenture. Reference is made to the
Indenture for the full definition of all terms as well as any other
capitalized term used herein for which no definition is provided.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time
such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with an
Asset Acquisition from such Person by a Restricted Subsidiary and not Incurred
by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Person becoming
a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition; provided that Indebtedness
of such Person which is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the
time of or immediately upon consummation of the transactions by which such
Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition shall not be
Acquired Indebtedness.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the aggregate net
income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP; provided
that the following items shall be excluded in computing Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income (without duplication): (i) the net income of any Person (other than
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during such period; (ii) solely for the
purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made
pursuant to clause (C) of the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Restricted
Payments" covenant described below (and in such case, except to the extent
includable pursuant to clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any
Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is
merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and assets of such
Person are acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such
Restricted Subsidiary of such net income to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary is not at the time of such determination permitted by the operation
of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree,
order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted
Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or losses (on an after-tax basis) attributable to
Asset Sales; (v) except for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted
Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the first paragraph of the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant described below, any amount paid
or accrued as dividends on Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary owned by Persons other than the Company and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (vi) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable depreciation,
amortization and other valuation reserves), except to the extent resulting
from write-ups of capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection with
accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items) and (ii) all goodwill, trade
names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other
like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
prepared in conformity with GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to Holders"
covenant.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled
by" and "under common control
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with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
investment or (ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially all of a
division or line of business, or one or more hotel properties, of such Person;
provided that the property and assets acquired are related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
on the date of such acquisition.
"Asset Disposition" means the sale or other disposition by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) of (i) all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) all or substantially all of
the assets that constitute a division or line of business, or one or more
hotel properties, of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including by way
of merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction) in one transaction or
a series of related transactions by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the property and assets of an
operating unit or business of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (iii) any other property and assets of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Capital Stock or other Investment
in an Unrestricted Subsidiary) outside the ordinary course of business of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed
by the provisions of the Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and
sales of assets of the Company; provided that "Asset Sale" shall not include
(a) sales or other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current
assets, (b) sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets with a fair
market value not in excess of $1 million in any transaction or series of
related transactions, (c) sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets
constituting a Restricted Payment permitted to be made under the "Limitation
on Restricted Payments" covenant, (d) sales or other dispositions of assets
for consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold
or disposed of, to the extent that the consideration received would satisfy
clause (B) of the "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant or (e) sales, transfers
or other dispositions of property or equipment that has become worn out,
obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the
business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any debt
security, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of (a)
the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each
successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security and (b) the
amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal
payments.
"Bank Agent" means The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, or its successors
as agent for the lenders under the Credit Agreement.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common
Stock and Preferred Stock.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present
value of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with
GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
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"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the discounted present value of the
rental obligations under a Capitalized Lease.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) a "person" or "group" (within the
meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the
Existing Stockholders and their respective Affiliates, becomes the ultimate
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more
than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a fully diluted
basis, than is held by or for the Existing Stockholders and their Affiliates
on such date; or (ii) individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board
of Directors (together with any new or replacement directors whose election by
the Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors then still in office who
either were members of the Board of Directors on the Closing Date or whose
election or nomination for election was so approved) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Old Notes were originally issued
under the Indenture.
"Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's equity, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all series
and classes of common stock.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus, (A) to the extent such amount was deducted in
calculating such Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (ii) income taxes (other than income taxes (either positive or
negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or losses or sales of assets),
(iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v) all other non-
cash items reducing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income less all non-cash items
increasing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, provided that increases or
decreases from changes in the amounts of current assets or current
liabilities, respectively, shall not result in adjustments to Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (v), all as determined on a
consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
conformity with GAAP, and (B) $25 million (for fiscal periods ending on or
prior to December 31, 1998), $15 million (for fiscal periods ending after
December 31, 1998 and on or prior to December 31, 1999) and $10 million (for
fiscal periods ending after December 31, 1999 and on or prior to December 31,
2000); provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not
otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) by an amount equal to (X) the
amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income attributable to such Restricted
Subsidiary multiplied by (Y) the percentage ownership interest in the income
of such Restricted Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate amount
of interest in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the
effective interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other
fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing; the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements;
and Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid
or to be accrued by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such
period; excluding, however, (i) any amount of such interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of
the definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of
such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof)
and (ii) any premiums, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof)
payable in connection with the offering of the Notes or the establishment of
the Credit Agreement or the Amended Credit Agreement, all as determined on a
consolidated basis (without taking into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in
conformity with GAAP.
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"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of determination, stockholders'
equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(which shall be as of a date not more than 135 days prior to the date of such
computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries),
less any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any equity security
convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness, the cost of treasury stock
and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from the sale of
the Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each
item to be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of
foreign currency exchange adjustments under Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52); provided that for
purposes of clause (viii) of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, pro
forma effect shall be given to any issuance and sale of Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) after the date of such consolidated balance sheet.
"Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement dated as of September 26,
1997, and amended as of March 10, 1998 (the "Amended Credit Agreement"), among
the Company, various banks, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as
syndication agent and arranger, and the Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, as
administrative agent, together with any agreements, instruments and documents
executed or delivered pursuant to or in connection with such credit agreement
(including without limitation any Guarantees and security documents), in each
case as such credit agreement or such agreements, instruments or documents may
be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented,
extended, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time and
including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing or otherwise
restructuring (including, but not limited to, the inclusion of additional
borrowers thereunder that are Subsidiaries of the Company) all or any portion
of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor agreement, as such
agreement may be amended, renewed, extended, substituted, replaced, restated
and otherwise modified from time to time).
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement (except that any Indebtedness which represents a partial refinancing
of Indebtedness theretofore outstanding pursuant to the Credit Agreement,
rather than a complete refinancing thereof, shall only constitute Designated
Senior Indebtedness if such partial refinancing meets the requirements of
clause (ii) below) and (ii) any other Indebtedness constituting Senior
Indebtedness that, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal
amount outstanding of at least $25 million and that is specifically designated
by the Company, in the instrument creating or evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness."
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock of any
Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder
of such class or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Notes or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital
Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a
scheduled maturity prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that
any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for
provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to
repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale"
or "change of control" occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes
shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of
control" provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to
the holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in "Limitation
on Asset Sales" and "Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control" covenants
described below and such Capital Stock specifically provides that such Person
will not repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior
to the Company's repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased
pursuant to the "Limitation on Asset Sales" and "Repurchase of Notes upon a
Change of Control" covenants described below.
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"Existing Stockholders" means H. Wayne Huizenga, George D. Johnson, Jr. and
Stewart H. Johnson, their spouses and any one or more of their lineal
descendants and their spouses or any trust created solely for the benefit of
any such Persons.
"Extended Stay Assets" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
(ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
the property and assets of any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, that are related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
or (iii) the construction or development of property or assets that are
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, in each case including the costs
and expenses in connection therewith (including, the cost of design,
development, construction, acquisition or improvement).
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an arm's-length
transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell
and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
if evidenced by a Board Resolution.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including, without limitation,
those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or
in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations contained or
referred to in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis, except that calculations made for purposes of
determining compliance with the terms of the covenants and with other
provisions of the Indenture shall be made without giving effect to (i) the
amortization of any expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the
Notes or the establishment of the Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit
Agreement (including the write-off of debt issuance costs in connection
therewith), (ii) the costs related to the acquisition of Studio Plus Hotels
Inc., and (iii) except as otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts
required or permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, obligations fully
guaranteed by, or participations in pools consisting solely of obligations of
or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of
which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States
of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option
of the issuer thereof.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of
such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or
by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services
(unless such purchase arrangements are on arm's-length terms and are entered
into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain
financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes
of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the
payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in
whole or in part); provided that the term "Guarantee" shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The
term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create, issue,
assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to, or become
responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
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Indebtedness, including an "Incurrence" of Acquired Indebtedness; provided
that neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue
discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding obligations with
respect to letters of credit (including trade letters of credit) securing
obligations (other than obligations described in (i) or (ii) above or (v),
(vi) or (vii) below) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such
Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if drawn
upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third
Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement),
(iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase
price of property or services, which purchase price is due more than six
months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery
and title thereto or the completion of such services, except Trade Payables,
(v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations, (vi) all Indebtedness of other Persons
secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such
Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of such
Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at
such date of determination and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness, (vii) all
Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such
Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person and (viii) to the extent not
otherwise included in this definition, obligations under Currency Agreements
and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any
date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional
obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations,
the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to
the obligation, provided (A) that the amount outstanding at any time of any
Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such
Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue
discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with
GAAP, (B) that money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of
any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such
Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" so long as such money is
held to secure the payment of such interest, and (C) that Indebtedness shall
not include any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes.
"Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such Transaction Date to
(ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such Transaction Date
plus (B) the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company on such Transaction Date.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the ratio of (i)
the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four
fiscal quarters prior to such Transaction Date for which reports have been
filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to the
"Commission Reports and Reports to Holders" covenant (the "Four Quarter
Period") to (ii) the aggregate Consolidated Interest Expense during such Four
Quarter Period. In making the foregoing calculation, (A) pro forma effect
shall be given to any Indebtedness Incurred or repaid during the period (the
"Reference Period") commencing on the first day of the Four Quarter Period and
ending on the Transaction Date (other than Indebtedness Incurred or repaid
under a revolving credit or similar arrangement to the extent of the
commitment thereunder (or under any predecessor revolving credit or similar
arrangement) in effect on the last day of such Four Quarter Period unless any
portion of such Indebtedness is projected, in the reasonable judgment of the
senior management of the Company, to remain outstanding for a period in excess
of 12 months from the date of the Incurrence thereof), in each case as if such
Indebtedness had been Incurred or repaid on the first day of such Reference
Period (and pro forma effect shall be given to the purchase of any U.S.
government securities required to be purchased with the proceeds of any such
Indebtedness and set aside to prefund the payment of interest on such
Indebtedness at the time such Indebtedness is Incurred); (B) Consolidated
Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness (whether
existing or being Incurred) computed on a pro forma basis and bearing a
floating interest
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rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the Transaction Date
(taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such
Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of
12 months or, if shorter, at least equal to the remaining term of such
Indebtedness) had been the applicable rate for the entire period; (C) pro
forma effect shall be given to Asset Dispositions and Asset Acquisitions
(including giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds of any Asset
Disposition) and the designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted
Subsidiaries that occur during such Reference Period as if they had occurred
and such proceeds had been applied on the first day of such Reference Period;
and (D) pro forma effect shall be given to asset dispositions and asset
acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds
of any asset disposition) that have been made by any Person that has become a
Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or into the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference Period and that would have
constituted Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions had such transactions
occurred when such Person was a Restricted Subsidiary as if such asset
dispositions or asset acquisitions were Asset Dispositions or Asset
Acquisitions that occurred on the first day of such Reference Period; provided
that to the extent that clause (C) or (D) of this sentence requires that pro
forma effect be given to an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition, such pro
forma calculation shall be based upon the four full fiscal quarters
immediately preceding the Transaction Date of the Person, or division or line
of business of the Person, that is acquired or disposed for which financial
information is available.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement,
interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement,
interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract or other similar
agreement or arrangement.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan or
other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by way of Guarantee
or similar arrangement; but excluding advances to customers, suppliers or
contractors in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with
GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the
balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) or capital
contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others
or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or
any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or
other similar instruments issued by, such Person and shall include (i) the
designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii)
the fair market value of the Capital Stock (or any other Investment), held by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of (or in) any Person that
has ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary, including without limitation, by
reason of any transaction permitted by clause (iii) of the "Limitation on the
Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant;
provided that the fair market value of the Investment remaining in any Person
that has ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of Investments previously made in such Person valued at the time such
Investments were made less the net reduction of such Investments. For purposes
of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant described below, (i) "Investment" shall include
the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than
liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any
Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii) the fair market value of the
assets (net of liabilities (other than liabilities to the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that
such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary shall be
considered a reduction in outstanding Investments and (iii) any property
transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair
market value at the time of such transfer.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any
agreement to give any security interest).
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments
in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent
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corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when
received in the form of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such
obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of other property
received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of (i) brokerage
commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of
counsel and investment bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions
for all taxes (whether or not such taxes will actually be paid or are payable)
as a result of such Asset Sale without regard to the consolidated results of
operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
(iii) payments made to repay Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding
at the time of such Asset Sale that either (A) is secured by a Lien on the
property or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid as a result of such sale
and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary as a reserve against any liabilities associated with such Asset
Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities
under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as
determined in conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect to any issuance or
sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of
cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment
obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest,
component thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents
(except to the extent such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of
other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of
attorney's fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees,
discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company from the
Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating:
(i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all Notes
validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis; (ii) the
purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no
earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is
mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue
to accrue interest pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company
defaults in the payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment
pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after
the Payment Date; (v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant
to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the Note, together with
the form entitled "Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse side
of the Note completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the
notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately
preceding the Payment Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw
their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of
business on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date, a
telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such
Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement
that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Notes purchased; and
(vii) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued
new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes
surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall
be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. On the
Payment Date, the Company shall (i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis
Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii)
deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of
all Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Trustee all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together
with an Officers' Certificate specifying the Notes or portions thereof
accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to
the Holders of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase
price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders a
new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Note
surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall
be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The Company
will publicly announce the results of an Offer to Purchase as soon as
practicable after the Payment Date. The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent
for an Offer to Purchase. The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that the Company
is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.
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"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such
Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with
or into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such person's primary
business is related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment; (ii)
Temporary Cash Investments; (iii) payroll, travel and similar advances to
cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be
treated as expenses in accordance with GAAP; (iv) stock, obligations or
securities received in satisfaction of judgments; (v) an Investment in an
Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting solely of an Investment in another
Unrestricted Subsidiary; (vi) Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements
designed solely to protect the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against
fluctuations in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; (vii) loans
or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business in aggregate
amount outstanding not to exceed $1 million; and (viii) Investments in any
Person the primary business of which is related, ancillary or complementary to
the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that
the aggregate amount of such Investments does not exceed $50 million plus the
net reduction in such Investments.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference stock, whether
outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without
limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the following obligations of the Company,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred: (i) all
Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations (including, without
limitation, expenses, fees, principal, interest, reimbursement obligations
under letters of credit and indemnities payable in connection therewith) of
the Company under (or in respect of) the Credit Agreement or any Interest Rate
Agreement or Currency Agreement relating to the Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement and (ii) all other Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations
of the Company (other than the Notes), including principal and interest on
such Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of
any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, is
pari passu with, or subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided
that the term "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (a) any Indebtedness of
the Company that, when Incurred, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any
Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company, or to a joint
venture in which the Company has an interest, (c) any Indebtedness of the
Company, to the extent not permitted by the "Limitation on Indebtedness"
covenant or the "Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" covenant
described below, (d) any repurchase, redemption or other obligation in respect
of Disqualified Stock, (e) any Indebtedness to any employee of the Company or
any of its respective Subsidiaries, (f) any liability for taxes owed or owing
by the Company or (g) any Trade Payables. Senior Indebtedness will also
include interest accruing subsequent to events of bankruptcy of the Company
and its respective Subsidiaries at the rate provided for in the document
governing such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such interest is an allowed
claim enforceable against the debtor in a bankruptcy case under bankruptcy
law.
"Senior Subordinated Obligations" means any principal of, premium, if any,
interest, or other amounts due, on the Notes payable pursuant to the terms of
the Notes or upon acceleration, including any amounts received upon the
exercise of rights of rescission or other rights of action (including claims
for damages) or otherwise, to the extent relating to the purchase price of the
Notes or amounts corresponding to such principal, premium, if any, or interest
on the Notes.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any Restricted
Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most recent
fiscal year of the Company, accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated
revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as of the end
of such fiscal year, was the owner of more than 10% of the consolidated assets
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the most
recently available consolidated financial statements of the Company for such
fiscal year.
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"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-
Hill Companies, and its successors.
"Stated Maturity" means, (i) with respect to any debt security, the date
specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final
installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii)
with respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any
debt security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on
which such installment is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
association, business trust or other business entity of which more than 50% of
the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or
obligations fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of
America or any agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of
deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of
acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under
the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign
country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust
company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of
$50 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding
debt which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at
least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in
Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a
registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of
the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the
qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) commercial paper, maturing
not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation
(other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the
laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country
recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of
which any investment therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's
or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P, (v) securities with maturities of one
year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of
America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and
rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's and (vi) other dollar denominated
securities issued by any Person incorporated in the United States rated at
least "A" or the equivalent by S&P or at least "A2" or the equivalent by
Moody's and in each case either (A) maturing not more than one year after the
date of acquisition or (B) which are subject to a repricing arrangement (such
as a Dutch auction) not more than one year after the date of acquisition (and
reprices at least yearly thereafter) which the Person making the investment
believes in good faith will permit such Person to sell such security at par in
connection with such repricing mechanism.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or
any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created,
assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the
ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or
services, including without limitation, obligations under (or in respect of)
construction contracts (to the extent such obligations do not constitute
Indebtedness for borrowed money).
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of any Indebtedness
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date such
Indebtedness is to be Incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment,
the date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that at
the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any
Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary
of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns
any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
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any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated shall be deemed an
"Incurrence" of such Indebtedness and an "Investment" by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of such
designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than
$1,000, such designation would be permitted under the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant described below; and (C) if applicable, the
Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in clause (A) of
this proviso would be permitted under the "Limitation on Indebtedness" and
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenants described below. The Board of
Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such
designation and (ii) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted
Subsidiary outstanding immediately after such designation would, if Incurred
at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred (and shall be deemed to have
been Incurred) for all purposes of the Indenture. Any such designation by the
Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with
the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation
and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with
the foregoing provisions.
"Voting Stock" means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class
or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors,
managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person, the
ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other
than any director's qualifying shares or Investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law) by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person.
COVENANTS
Limitation on Indebtedness
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness (other than the Notes and Indebtedness
existing on the Closing Date); provided that the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of
such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom,
the Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than (x) 1.50:1, for Indebtedness
Incurred on or prior to December 31, 1998, (y) 1.75:1, for Indebtedness
Incurred after December 31, 1998 and on or prior to December 31, 1999 and (z)
2.00:1, for Indebtedness Incurred thereafter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary
(except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following: (i)
Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $800 million, less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid
as provided under the "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant described below;
(ii) Indebtedness owed (A) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company; provided
that if such Indebtedness exceeds $500,000 it shall be evidenced by a
promissory note or (B) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any event which results in any such
Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent
transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such
Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ii); (iii) Indebtedness issued in
exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund,
then outstanding Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under clause
(i), (ii), (iv), (vi), (vii), (viii) or (ix) of this paragraph) and any
refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so refinanced or
refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses); provided that
Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund the Notes
or Indebtedness that is pari passu with, or subordinated in right of payment
to, the Notes shall only be permitted under this clause (iii) if (A) in case
the Notes are refinanced in part or the Indebtedness to be refinanced is pari
passu with the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of
any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is
outstanding, is expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in
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right of payment to, the remaining Notes, (B) in case the Indebtedness to be
refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such new
Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is issued or remains outstanding, is
expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the Notes at least to the
extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced is subordinated to the Notes and
(C) such new Indebtedness, determined as of the date of Incurrence of such new
Indebtedness, does not mature prior to the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness
to be refinanced or refunded, and the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is
at least equal to the remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness to be
refinanced or refunded; and provided further that in no event may Indebtedness
of the Company that is pari passu with or subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes be refinanced by means of any Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (iii); (iv) Indebtedness (A) in respect of
performance, surety or appeal bonds provided in the ordinary course of
business, (B) under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided
that such agreements (a) are designed solely to protect the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the Indebtedness of the
obligor outstanding at any time other than as a result of fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or by reason of fees,
indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; and (C) arising from
agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
similar obligations, or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or
performance bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted
Subsidiary (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person
acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
for the purpose of financing such acquisition), in a principal amount not to
exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in connection with such disposition; (v) Indebtedness of the
Company, to the extent the net proceeds thereof are promptly (A) used to
purchase Notes tendered in an Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change
in Control or (B) deposited to defease the Notes as described below under
"Defeasance"; (vi) Guarantees of the Notes and Guarantees of Indebtedness of
the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary provided the Guarantee of such
Indebtedness is permitted by and made in accordance with the "Limitation on
Issuance of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant described below;
(vii) Indebtedness, Incurred to finance Extended Stay Assets or to refinance
such Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time
outstanding (A) the Net Cash Proceeds, or the fair market value of property
other than cash, received by the Company after the Closing Date from the
issuance and sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock),
including an Incurrence (permitted by the Indenture) of Indebtedness of the
Company upon conversion of such Indebtedness into Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company, to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of
the Company, to the extent such sale of Capital Stock has not been used
pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph, or clause (iii), (iv) or
(vi) of the second paragraph, of the "Limitation on Restricted Payments"
covenant to make a Restricted Payment less (B) the aggregate amount of
Indebtedness outstanding under clause (viii) below; (viii) Indebtedness
Incurred prior to December 31, 1999 to finance Extended Stay Assets or to
refinance such Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150 million
at any one time outstanding; provided that after giving pro forma effect to
the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company's Indebtedness to
Capitalization Ratio would be less than 60%; and (ix) Indebtedness, in
addition to Indebtedness permitted under clauses (i) through (viii) above, in
an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed
$15 million less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as
provided under the "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant described below.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this "Limitation on Indebtedness"
covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary may Incur pursuant to this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant
shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding
Indebtedness due solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of
currencies.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under
this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, (1) Indebtedness Incurred under
the Credit Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date shall be treated as
Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the second paragraph of this "Limitation on
Indebtedness" covenant, (2) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to
letters of credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise
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included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included
and (3) any Liens granted pursuant to the equal and ratable provisions
referred to in the "Limitation on Liens" covenant described below shall not be
treated as Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with this
"Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, in the event that an item of
Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness
described in the above clauses (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause
(1) of the preceding sentence), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall
classify, and from time to time may reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and
only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of
such clauses.
Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of
payment to any Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is pari passu
with, or subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided that the
foregoing limitation shall not apply to distinctions between categories of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company that exist by reason of any Liens or
Guarantees arising or created in respect of some but not all such Senior
Indebtedness.
Limitation on Liens
The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness secured by a Lien ("Secured
Indebtedness") which is not Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously
therewith effective provision is made to secure the Notes equally and ratably
with (or, if the Secured Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes, prior to) such Secured Indebtedness for so long as such Secured
Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
Limitation on Restricted Payments
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any
distribution on or with respect to its Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends
or distributions payable solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares
of such Capital Stock and (y) pro rata dividends or distributions on Common
Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by minority stockholders) held by
Persons other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii)
purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of Capital
Stock of (A) the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including options,
warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock) held by any
Person or (B) a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other
rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock) held by any Affiliate of the
Company (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or any holder (or
any Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of the Capital Stock of the
Company, (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or voluntary
or optional redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or
retirement for value, of Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes or (iv) make any Investment, other than a
Permitted Investment, in any Person (such payments or any other actions
described in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively "Restricted
Payments") if, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed
Restricted Payment: (A) a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, (B) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
under the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant or (C)
the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments (the amount, if other than in
cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) made
after the Closing Date shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the aggregate amount
of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income is a loss, minus 100% of the amount of such loss) (determined by
excluding income resulting from transfers of assets by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a cumulative
basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on the
first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the Closing Date and
ending on the last day of the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction
Date for which reports have been filed with the Commission or provided to the
Trustee pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to Holders" covenant
plus (2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after the
Closing Date from the issuance and
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sale permitted by the Indenture of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company, including an
issuance or sale permitted by the Indenture of Indebtedness of the Company for
cash subsequent to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness
into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from the
issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of any options,
warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company (in each
case, exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any options, warrants or other
rights that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or are required to be
redeemed, prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes), in each case except to
the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are used to Incur Indebtedness outstanding
under clause (vii) of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, plus (3) an
amount equal to the net reduction in Investments (other than reductions in
Permitted Investments) in any Person resulting from payments of interest on
Indebtedness, dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers
of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or from
the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any such Investment (except, in each
case, to the extent any such payment or proceeds are included in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income), or from redesignations of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as
provided in the definition of "Investments"), not to exceed, in each case, the
amount of Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of: (i) the payment
of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if, at
said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the foregoing
paragraph; (ii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment
to the Notes including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with
the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under clause (iii)
of the second paragraph of part (a) of the "Limitation on Indebtedness"
covenant; (iii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of Capital
Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or options, warrants or
other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) in exchange for, or out of the
proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants or other
rights to acquire such Capital Stock); (iv) the making of any principal
payment or the repurchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition for value of Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent offering of, shares of the Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants or other rights to
acquire such Capital Stock); (v) payments or distributions, to dissenting
stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a
consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with the provisions
of the Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company; (vi) Investments
acquired in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company; or (vii) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50
million; provided that, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as
a consequence of the actions or payments set forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding paragraph (other
than the Restricted Payment referred to in clause (ii) or (vii) thereof, an
exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness referred to in
clause (iii) or (iv) thereof and an Investment referred to in clause (vi)
thereof), and the Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of Capital Stock
referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv), shall be included in calculating
whether the conditions of clause (C) of the first paragraph of this
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant have been met with respect to any
subsequent Restricted Payments. In the event the proceeds of an issuance of
Capital Stock of the Company are used for the redemption, repurchase or other
acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes,
then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall be included in clause (C) of
the first paragraph of this "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant only
to the extent such proceeds are not used for such redemption, repurchase or
other acquisition of Indebtedness.
Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any
consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any
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Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions
permitted by applicable law on any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary
owned by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (iii)
make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or
(iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances or
restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date in the Credit Agreement, the
Indenture or any other agreements in effect on the Closing Date, and any
modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals, substitutions or
replacements of such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and
restrictions in any such modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals,
substitutions or replacements are no less favorable in any material respect to
the Holders than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect
and that are being modified, extended, refinanced, renewed, substituted or
replaced; (ii) existing under or by reason of applicable law; (iii) existing
with respect to any Person or the property or assets of such Person acquired
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, existing at the time of such
acquisition and not incurred in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or
restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any
Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person so
acquired; (iv) in the case of clause (iv) of the first paragraph of this
"Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries" covenant, (A) that restrict in a customary manner the
subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a lease,
license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset, (B) existing by
virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect
to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture or (C) arising or agreed
to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and
that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner
material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (v) with respect to a
Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been
entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
Capital Stock of, or property and assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary; or
(vi) contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to
which such Indebtedness was issued if (A) the encumbrance or restriction
applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a
financial covenant contained in such Indebtedness or agreement, (B) the
encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the
Holders of the Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as determined
by the Company) and (C) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or
restriction will not materially affect the Company's ability to make principal
or interest payments on the Notes. Nothing contained in this "Limitation on
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries"
covenant shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (1)
creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise
permitted in the "Limitation on Liens" covenant or (2) restricting the sale or
other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries
The Company will not sell, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary,
directly or indirectly, to issue or sell, any shares of Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to purchase
shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) issuances of director's qualifying shares or sales
to foreign nationals of shares of Capital Stock of foreign Restricted
Subsidiaries, to the extent required by applicable law; (iii) if, immediately
after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would
no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person
remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have been
permitted to be made under the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant if
made on the date of such issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of
Common Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary applies the Net Cash Proceeds, if any, of any such sale
in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of the "Limitation on Asset Sales"
covenant described below.
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Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries
The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu
with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes ("Guaranteed
Indebtedness"), unless (i) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes
and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a
Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of the Notes by such
Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not
in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights
of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the
Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such
Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this
paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted
Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary
and was not Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is (A) pari
passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall
be pari passu with, or subordinated to, the Subsidiary Guarantee or (B)
subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness
shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that
the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Restricted
Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or
transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the
Company's and each Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or
substantially all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale,
exchange or transfer is not prohibited by the Indenture) or (ii) the release
or discharge of the Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such
Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of
payment under such Guarantee.
Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any transaction
(including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of
property or assets, or the rendering of any service) with any holder (or any
Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the
Company or with any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
except upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained, at the time of such transaction
or, if such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at the time of the
execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i)
transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors or (B) for which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
delivers to the Trustee a written opinion of a nationally recognized
investment banking firm stating that the transaction is fair to the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; (ii) any
transaction solely between the Company and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries or solely between Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the
payment of reasonable and customary fees and expenses to directors of the
Company who are not employees of the Company; (iv) any payments or other
transactions pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement between the Company and any
other Person with which the Company files a consolidated tax return or with
which the Company is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; or (v) any
Restricted Payments not prohibited by the "Limitation on Restricted Payments"
covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or series of related
transactions covered by the first paragraph of this "Limitation on
Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates" covenant and not covered by
clauses (ii) through (v) of this paragraph, (a) the aggregate amount of which
exceeds $5 million in value, must be approved or determined to be fair in the
manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above and (b) the aggregate amount
of which exceeds $10 million in value, must be determined to be fair in the
manner provided for in clause (i)(B) above.
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Limitation on Asset Sales
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
consummate any Asset Sale, unless (i) the consideration received by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair market
value of the assets sold or disposed of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration received consists of cash or Temporary Cash Investments or the
assumption of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
is irrevocably released from all liability under such Indebtedness. In the
event and to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset Sales occurring on
or after the Closing Date in any period of 12 consecutive months exceed 10% of
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined as of the date closest
to the commencement of such 12-month period for which a consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed with the Commission
or provided to the Trustee pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to
Holders" covenant), then the Company shall or shall cause the relevant
Restricted Subsidiary to (i) within twelve months after the date Net Cash
Proceeds so received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets
(A) apply an amount equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently
repay Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary
providing a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to the "Limitation on Issuances of
Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant described above or
Indebtedness of any other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case owing to a
Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B)
invest an equal amount, or the amount not so applied pursuant to clause (A)
(or enter into a definitive agreement committing to so invest within 12 months
after the date of such agreement), in property or assets (other than current
assets) of a nature or type or that are used in a business (or in a company
having property and assets of a nature or type, or engaged in a business)
similar or related to the nature or type of the property and assets of, or the
business of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date
of such investment and (ii) apply (no later than the end of the 12-month
period referred to in clause (i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent
not applied pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following paragraph of
this "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant. The amount of such excess Net Cash
Proceeds required to be applied (or to be committed to be applied) during such
12-month period as set forth in clause (i) of the preceding sentence and not
applied as so required by the end of such period shall constitute "Excess
Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
this "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant totals at least $10 million, the
Company must commence, not later than the fifteenth Business Day of such
month, and consummate an Offer to Purchase from the Holders on a pro rata
basis an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to the Excess Proceeds on
such date, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
Notes, plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.
REPURCHASE OF NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
The Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of
Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding,
at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.
There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds
available at the time of any Change of Control to make any debt payment
(including repurchases of Notes) required by the foregoing covenant (as well
as may be contained in other securities of the Company which might be
outstanding at the time). The above covenant requiring the Company to
repurchase the Notes will, unless consents are obtained, require the Company
to repay all indebtedness then outstanding which by its terms would prohibit
such Note repurchase, either prior to or concurrently with such Note
repurchase.
The Company will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
this covenant if a third party makes an Offer to Purchase in compliance with
this covenant and repurchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn
under such Offer to Purchase.
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COMMISSION REPORTS AND REPORTS TO HOLDERS
Whether or not the Company is then required to file reports with the
Commission, the Company shall file with the Commission all such reports and
other information as it would be required to file with the Commission by
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were
subject thereto; provided that, if filing such documents by the Company with
the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Company shall
provide such documents to the Trustee and upon written request supply copies
of such documents to any prospective Holder. The Company shall supply the
Trustee and each Holder or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to each
such Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other
information.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following events will be defined as "Events of Default" in the
Indenture: (a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on)
any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
provisions described above under "--Ranking"; (b) default in the payment of
interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited
by the provisions described above under "--Ranking"; (c) default in the
performance or breach of the provisions of the Indenture applicable to
mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to
Purchase in accordance with the "Limitation on Asset Sales" or "Repurchase of
Notes upon a Change of Control" covenant; (d) the Company defaults in the
performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in
the Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause
(a), (b) or (c) above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or
more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes; (e) there occurs with respect
to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $15 million or more in
the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such
Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default
that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been
discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled
within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a
principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such
defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days
of such payment default; (f) any final judgment or order (not covered by
insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $15 million in the aggregate
for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered
against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or
discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following
entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all
such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against
all such Persons to exceed $15 million during which a stay of enforcement of
such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise,
shall not be in effect; (g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters
a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary or (C) the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or (h) the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case
under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by
a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(g) or (h) above that occurs with respect to the Company) occurs and is
continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25%
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in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, then outstanding, by written
notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice is given by the
Holders), may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare
the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes to be
immediately due and payable. Upon a declaration of acceleration, such
principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be immediately due
and payable; provided that any such declaration of acceleration shall not
become effective until the earlier of (A) five Business Days after receipt of
the acceleration notice by the Bank Agent and the Company or (B) acceleration
of the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement; provided further that such
acceleration shall automatically be rescinded and annulled without any further
action required on the part of the Holders in the event that any and all
Events of Default specified in the acceleration notice under the Indenture
shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided in the
Indenture prior to the expiration of the period referred to in the preceding
clauses (A) and (B). In the event of a declaration of acceleration because an
Event of Default set forth in clause (e) above has occurred and is continuing,
such declaration of acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled
if the event of default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause
(e) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or the relevant Significant
Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60
days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto. If an Event
of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) above occurs with respect to the
Company, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes
then outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all past
defaults and rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its
consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment
of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have
become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or
waived and (ii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree
of a court of competent jurisdiction. For information as to the waiver of
defaults, see "--Modification and Waiver."
The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture, that may involve the
Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith
may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the
giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is
not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes. A
Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes
unless: (i) the Holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default; (ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against any costs, liability or expense; (iv) the Trustee does not
comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the
offer of indemnity; and (v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give
the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request. However, such
limitations do not apply to the right of any Holder of a Note to receive
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date
expressed in the Notes, which right shall not be impaired or affected without
the consent of the Holder.
The Indenture will require certain officers of the Company to certify, on or
before a date not more than 105 days after the end of each fiscal year, that a
review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' performance
under the Indenture and that the Company has fulfilled all obligations
thereunder, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such
obligation, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof.
The Company will also be obligated to notify the Trustee of any default or
defaults in the performance of any covenants or agreements under the
Indenture.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
property and assets (as an entirety or substantially an entirety in one
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transaction or a series of related transactions) to, any Person or permit any
Person to merge with or into the Company unless: (i) the Company shall be the
continuing Person, or the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or that acquired or leased
such property and assets of the Company shall be a corporation organized and
validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state
or jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the obligations of
the Company on all of the Notes and under the Indenture; (ii) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing; (iii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company or any Person becoming the
successor obligor of the Notes shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or
greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to
such transaction; (iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on
a pro forma basis the Company, or any Person becoming the successor obligor of
the Notes, as the case may be, could Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
under the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant;
provided that this clause (iv) shall not apply to a consolidation, merger or
sale of all (but not less than all) of the assets of the Company if all Liens
and Indebtedness of the Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor
on the Notes, as the case may be, and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding
immediately after such transaction would, if Incurred at such time, have been
permitted to be Incurred (and all such Liens and Indebtedness, other than
Liens and Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
outstanding immediately prior to the transaction, shall be deemed to have been
Incurred) for all purposes of the Indenture; and (v) the Company delivers to
the Trustee an Officers' Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computations to
demonstrate compliance with clauses (iii) and (iv)) and Opinion of Counsel, in
each case stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such
supplemental indenture complies with this provision and that all conditions
precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied
with; provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not apply if, in
the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose
of such transaction is to change the state of incorporation of the Company and
that any such transaction shall not have as one of its purposes the evasion of
the foregoing limitations.
DEFEASANCE
Defeasance and Discharge. The Indenture will provide that the Company will
be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the Notes on the 123rd day after the deposit referred to below, and
the provisions of the Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to
the Notes (except for, among other matters, certain obligations to register
the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
Notes, to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust)
if, among other things, (A) the Company has deposited with the Trustee, in
trust, money and/or U.S. Government Obligations that through the payment of
interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if
any, and accrued interest on the Notes on the Stated Maturity of such payments
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, (B) the Company
has delivered to the Trustee (i) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of its option under this
"Defeasance" provision and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion
of Counsel must be based upon (and accompanied by a copy of) a ruling of the
Internal Revenue Service to the same effect unless there has been a change in
applicable federal income tax law after the Closing Date such that a ruling is
no longer required or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the
Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of
Counsel and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the
defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and after
the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be
subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or
Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law, (C) immediately after
giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or
event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an
Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such
deposit,
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and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound, (D) the Company is not prohibited from making payments
in respect of the Notes by the provisions described under "--Ranking" and (E)
if at such time the Notes are listed on a national securities exchange, the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
the Notes will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants and Certain Events of Default. The Indenture
further will provide that the provisions of the Indenture will no longer be in
effect with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) under "Consolidation, Merger and
Sale of Assets" and all the covenants described herein under "Covenants,"
clause (c) under "Events of Default" with respect to such clauses (iii) and
(iv) under "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," clause (d) under
"Events of Default" with respect to such other covenants and clauses (e) and
(f) under "Events of Default" shall be deemed not to be Events of Default
upon, among other things, the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money
and/or U.S. Government Obligations that through the payment of interest and
principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money
in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest on the Notes on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, the satisfaction of the
provisions described in clauses (B)(ii), (C), (D) and (E) of the preceding
paragraph and the delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that, among other things, the Holders will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
not occurred.
Defeasance and Certain Other Events of Default. In the event the Company
exercises its option to omit compliance with certain covenants and provisions
of the Indenture with respect to the Notes as described in the immediately
preceding paragraph and the Notes are declared due and payable because of the
occurrence of an Event of Default that remains applicable, the amount of money
and/or U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the Notes at the time of their Stated
Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Notes at the time
of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company
will remain liable for such payments.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that
no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder
affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note, (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or
premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, (iii) change the place or currency
of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, (iv)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the
Redemption Date) of any Note, (v) reduce the above-stated percentage of
outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary to modify or amend
the Indenture, (vi) waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on the Notes, (vii) modify the subordination provisions in
a manner adverse to the Holders or (viii) reduce the percentage or aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is
necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or
for waiver of certain defaults.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR
EMPLOYEES
The Indenture provides that no recourse for the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes or for any claim based
thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any
obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture, or in any
of the Notes or because of the
54
<PAGE>
creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person
of the Company or of any successor Person thereof. Each Holder, by accepting
the Notes, waives and releases all such liability.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of a Default, the
Trustee will not be liable, except for the performance of such duties as are
specifically set forth in such Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Trustee will use the same degree of care and skill in
its exercise of the rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture as a
prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such
person's own affairs.
The Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the
Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in
respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted
to engage in other transactions; provided, however, that if it acquires any
conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign. The Trustee
is one of the lenders that are parties to the Credit Agreement.
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
The certificates representing the New Notes will initially be represented by
one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully-registered form
without interest coupons (each a "Global Note") and will be deposited with the
Trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC.
Except in the limited circumstances described below under "--Certificated
Notes," owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled
to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes (as defined below).
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be limited to
persons who have accounts with DTC ("participants") or persons who hold
interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global
Note will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected
only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to
interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to
interests of persons other than participants).
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a
Global Note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all
purposes under the Indenture and the Notes. No beneficial owner of an interest
in a Global Note will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance
with DTC's applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the
Indenture and, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Cedel Bank.
Payments of the principal of, and interest on, a Global Note will be made to
DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof.
Neither the Company, the Trustee nor any Paying Agent will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Note or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
The Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of a Global Note, will credit participants'
accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of such Global Note as shown on the records
of DTC or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants
to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Note held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such
payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way
in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.
55
<PAGE>
The Company expects that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a
holder of Notes (including the presentation of Notes for exchange as described
below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the
DTC interests in a Global Note are credited and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of Notes as to which such
participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if
there is an Event of Default under the Notes, DTC will exchange the applicable
Global Note for Certificated Notes, which it will distribute to its
participants.
The Company understands that: DTC is a limited purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, a "banking organization"
within the meaning of New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its
participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates and certain other organizations. Indirect access to
the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant, either directly or indirectly ("indirect participants").
Although DTC is expected to follow the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in a Global Note among participants of DTC
it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures,
and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the Company nor
the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its
respective participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
CERTIFICATED NOTES
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for
the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company
within 90 days, the Company will issue Notes in registered form without
interest coupons ("Certificated Notes") in exchange for the Global Notes.
Holders of an interest in a Global Note may receive Certificated Notes in
accordance with the DTC's rules and procedures in addition to those provided
for under the Indenture.
56
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
THE AMENDED CREDIT FACILITY
The following summary of the material provisions of the Amended Credit
Facility does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the Amended Credit Facility, a copy of which
has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Defined terms that are used but not defined in this
section have the meanings given to such terms in the Amended Credit Facility.
On March 10, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), the Company amended its existing
Credit Facility, which had provided for up to $500 million of revolving loans,
subject to meeting certain conditions, on a senior secured basis. The Credit
Facility had a maturity of December 31, 2002.
The Amended Credit Facility converted $150 million of the amounts available
under the Credit Facility into a term loan facility (the "Converted Term
Loans"), with the $350 million balance of the amounts available under the
Credit Facility remaining as a revolving loan facility (the "Revolving
Facility" and, together with the Converted Term Loans, the "Converted
Facilities"). With respect to the Converted Term Loans, $100 million was drawn
on the Effective Date and the balance may be drawn no later than July 31,
1998.
The Amended Credit Facility also provides for up to $300 million in
additional term loans (the "Additional Term Loans"), $200 million of which
were committed as of the Effective Date. The amount of that commitment may be
reduced on each monthly anniversary of the Effective Date if certain amounts
are not drawn. The loans drawn pursuant to the commitment must be borrowed
prior to July 10, 1998 (as drawn, the "Committed Loans"). Additional Term
Loans in excess of Committed Loans may be borrowed at any time after the
Effective Date, provided that the total Additional Term Loans cannot exceed
$200 million before January 1, 1999. Further, to the extent that the
Additional Term Loans exceed $200 million, at least $275 million must be
outstanding under the Revolving Facility on the date the Additional Term Loans
are incurred.
The Company is required to repay indebtedness outstanding under the Amended
Credit Facility with the net cash proceeds from certain sales of assets, from
issuances of debt or equity by the Company, and from insurance recovery events
(subject to certain reinvestment rights). The Company is also required to
repay indebtedness outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility annually in
an amount equal to 50% of the Company's Excess Cash Flow. All mandatory or
voluntary prepayments under the Amended Credit Facility will be applied first
on a pro rata basis to the Converted Term Loans and the Additional Term Loans
and, after such loans have been repaid, to the Revolving Facility.
Amounts drawn under the Converted Facilities bear interest, at the Company's
option, at either the Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, plus an Applicable
Margin. The Applicable Margin is an annual rate which fluctuates based on the
Company's ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA and which will be
between .875% and 0% for Base Rate Loans and 1.875% and 1% for Reserve
Adjusted Eurodollar Loans.
Committed Loans will bear interest, at the Company's option, at either the
Base Rate plus 1.75% or the Eurodollar Plus Rate plus 2.75%. Additional Term
Loans that are not Committed Loans will bear interest at rates to be agreed
upon.
The Converted Facilities mature on December 31, 2002. Additional Term Loans
will mature no earlier than December 31, 2003, subject to maximum principal
amortization of 1% of the initially funded amounts in each of the years 1999
through 2002 and payment of the balance due in four equal quarterly payments
in 2003.
Availability under the Amended Credit Facility is dependent upon the Company
satisfying the following ratios of Consolidated Senior Debt to Run Rate
EBITDA, Consolidated Debt to Run Rate EBITDA, and Run Rate EBITDA to interest
on a pro forma basis, but in no event will availability under the Amended
Credit Facility be less than $200 million at any time (subject to the
satisfaction of applicable conditions precedent to borrowing under the Amended
Credit Facility):
57
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SENIOR DEBT/ CONSOLIDATED DEBT/ RUN RATE EBITDA/
YEAR RUN RATE EBITDA RUN RATE EBITDA PRO FORMA INTEREST
---- ------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1998..... less than 4.5 times less than 6.5 times greater than 1.75 times
1999..... less than 4.0 times less than 6.0 times greater than 2.00 times
2000+.... less than 3.5 times less than 5.5 times greater than 2.50 times
</TABLE>
Run Rate EBITDA is calculated as Property Level EBITDA less the Annualized
Corporate Overhead Amount (not including depreciation, interest, and tax
expense). Property Level EBITDA includes the sum of (i) the actual last twelve
months property level EBITDA for all Qualifying Properties operational for at
least 12 months and (ii) an adjusted property level EBITDA for all Qualifying
Properties operational for less than 12 months. Qualifying Property means
acquired or constructed hotels (i) meeting specified criteria, including being
a full service, limited service or extended stay hotel, having more than 50
rooms or units, being owned or leased (subject to aggregate dollar limitations
and criteria for lease terms) and the Company receiving Phase I environmental
surveys, property engineering reports, title, and investment memoranda in
accordance with the Company's past practice, or (ii) approved by the
affirmative vote of lenders holding more than 50% of the commitments under the
Amended Credit Facility.
The Company's obligations under the Converted Facilities are guaranteed by
each of the Company's subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") and are collateralized
by a first priority lien on all stock owned by the Company and the Guarantors
and all other current and future assets of the Company and the Guarantors
(other than mortgages on the Company's and the Guarantors' real property). The
obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under the Additional Term Loans
are collateralized on a pari passu basis by way of a perfected first priority
security interest in the assets securing the Converted Facilities.
The Amended Credit Facility contains a number of covenants, including, among
others, covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
incur debt, make investments, pay dividends, prepay other indebtedness, engage
in transactions with affiliates, enter into sale-leaseback transactions,
create liens, make capital expenditures, acquire or dispose of assets, or
engage in mergers or acquisitions. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility
contains affirmative covenants, including, among others, covenants requiring
maintenance of corporate existence, compliance with laws, maintenance of
properties and insurance, and the delivery of financial and other information.
The Amended Credit Facility also requires the Company to comply with certain
financial tests and to maintain certain financial ratios on a consolidated
basis. The Company must maintain: (i) a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio
of no less than 1.5 to 1.0 through December 31, 1998, 1.75 to 1.0 from January
1, 1999 to December 31, 1999, 2.0 to 1.0 from January 1, 2000 to December 31,
2000, and 2.25 to 1.0 thereafter; (ii) a ratio of Consolidated Debt to Run
Rate EBITDA of no greater than 7.0 to 1.0 through December 31, 1998, 6.5 to
1.0 from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999, and 5.75 to 1.0 thereafter;
(iii) a ratio of Consolidated Senior Debt to Run Rate EBITDA of no greater
than 5.0 to 1.0 through December 31, 1998, 4.5 to 1.0 from January 1, 1999 to
December 31, 1999, and 3.75 to 1.0 thereafter; and (iv) Consolidated Debt no
greater than 55% of Consolidated Capitalization. Consolidated Interest
Coverage Ratio means, for any period, the ratio of EBITDA, on a consolidated
basis, to (i) the total consolidated cash interest expense reduced by cash
interest income and other investment earnings earned on cash equivalents, plus
(ii) that portion of capitalized lease obligations representing the interest
factor for such period, but excluding (iii) the amortization of any deferred
financing costs.
Failure to satisfy any of the covenants would constitute an Event of Default
under the Amended Credit Facility, notwithstanding the ability of the Company
to meet its debt service obligations. The Amended Credit Facility also
includes other customary events of default, including, without limitation, a
cross-default to other indebtedness, undischarged judgments, bankruptcy, and a
change of control.
58
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
consequences applicable to the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer (the "Exchange") and the ownership and disposition of New
Notes. This summary deals only with New Notes held as capital assets by
holders who purchased Old Notes at 100% of their principal amount, and not
with special classes of holders, such as dealers in securities or currencies,
banks, tax-exempt organizations, life insurance companies, persons that hold
New Notes as a hedge (or hedged against) on currency or interest rate risks or
that are part of a straddle or conversion transaction, or persons whose
functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Investors who purchased the Old
Notes at a price other than 100% of their principal amount should consult
their tax advisor as to the possible applicability to them of the amortizable
bond premium or market discount rules. This summary is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), its legislative history,
existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings, and court
decisions, all as currently in effect and all subject to change at any time,
perhaps with retroactive effect.
HOLDERS OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE
CONSEQUENCES, IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, UNDER THE CODE AND THE LAWS
OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION, OF THE EXCHANGE AND OWNERSHIP OF NEW NOTES.
For United States federal income tax purposes, the Exchange will be
disregarded and each New Note will be treated as a continuation of the
corresponding Old Note. Accordingly, holders will not recognize gain or loss
upon the Exchange. For purposes of determining gain or loss upon the
subsequent sale or exchange of the New Notes, a holder's basis in the New
Notes should be the same as such holder's basis in the Old Notes exchanged
therefor. Holders should be considered to have held the New Notes from the
time of their original acquisition of the Old Notes.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The New Notes will be offered by the Company to the holders of the Old Notes
in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Except as described below, a broker-dealer may not participate in the
Exchange Offer in connection with a distribution of the New Notes. Each
broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes was acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. The Company has agreed that for a period of 120 days after
the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In
addition, until , 1998 all dealers effecting transactions in
the New Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such
resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers
who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from
any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker
or dealer that participates in a distribution of such New Notes may be deemed
to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit
on any such resale of New Notes and any commissions or concessions received by
any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it
will deliver and by delivering a
59
<PAGE>
prospectus a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange Offer
other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and expenses
of counsel for the holders of the New Notes and will indemnify the holders of
the New Notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the New Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, Chicago, Illinois.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of Extended Stay America, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, as incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, have been incorporated herein in reliance on
the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
60
<PAGE>
LOGO
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes Extended Stay
America, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant") to indemnify its directors
and officers under specified circumstances. The Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company shall
indemnify, to the extent permitted by Delaware law, its directors and officers
(and may indemnify its employees and agents) against liabilities (including
expenses, judgments, and settlements) incurred by them in connection with any
actual or threatened action, suit, or proceeding to which they are or may
become parties and which arises out of their status as directors, officers, or
employees.
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws eliminate, to
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, liability of a director to the
Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of such
director's fiduciary duty of care except for liability where a director (a)
breaches his or her duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (b)
fails to act in good faith or engages in intentional misconduct or knowing
violation of law, (c) authorizes payment of an illegal dividend or stock
repurchase, or (d) obtains an improper personal benefit. While liability for
monetary damages has been eliminated, equitable remedies such as injunctive
relief or rescission remain available. In addition, a director is not relieved
of his or her responsibilities under any other law, including the federal
securities laws.
The directors and officers of the Company are insured within the limits and
subject to the limitations of the policies, against certain expenses in
connection with the defense of actions, suits, or proceedings and certain
liabilities which might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits, or
proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such
directors or officers.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
4.1 Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 10, 1998 between the
Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation, Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., and
Salomon Brothers Inc
4.2 Indenture, dated as of March 10, 1998, between the Company and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, Trustee
4.3 Form of 9.15% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2008 (included in Exhibit
4.2)
5.1 Opinion of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
23.1 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand LLP (included in Part II of this
registration statement)
23.2 Consent of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
registration statement)
25.1 Statement of Eligibility of Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company,
Trustee
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal
99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.3 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 26, 1997 and Amended and
Restated as of March 10, 1998, by and among the Company and Morgan
Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent and Arranger, The
Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, as Administrative Agent, and
various banks (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1998)
</TABLE>
II-1
<PAGE>
(b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted
because they are not required under the related instructions, are not
applicable, or the information has been provided in the consolidated financial
statements or the notes thereto.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through
the date of responding to the request.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-
effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company
being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the Registration Statement when it became effective.
II-2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Lauderdale, State
of Florida, on June 24, 1998.
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
/s/ George D. Johnson, Jr.
By: _________________________________
George D. Johnson, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS BELOW HEREBY APPOINTS GEORGE D. JOHNSON,
JR., ROBERT A. BRANNON, AND GREGORY R. MOXLEY, AND EACH OF THEM SEVERALLY,
ACTING ALONE AND WITHOUT THE OTHERS, HIS TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEY-IN-FACT WITH
AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME OF EACH SUCH PERSON AND TO FILE WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, TOGETHER WITH ANY EXHIBITS THERETO AND
OTHER DOCUMENTS THEREWITH, ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS (INCLUDING POST-EFFECTIVE
AMENDMENTS) TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE TO ENABLE
THE REGISTRANT TO COMPLY WITH THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND ANY
RULES, REGULATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
IN RESPECT THEREOF, WHICH AMENDMENTS MAY MAKE SUCH OTHER CHANGES IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS THE AFORESAID ATTORNEY-IN-FACT EXECUTING THE SAME
DEEMS APPROPRIATE, AND ANY FILINGS PURSUANT TO RULE 462(B) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on June 24, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
/s/ George D. Johnson, Jr. Chief Executive Officer
____________________________________
George D. Johnson, Jr.
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER:
/s/ Robert A. Brannon Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
____________________________________ Officer
Robert A. Brannon Secretary, and Treasurer
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:
/s/ Gregory R. Moxley Vice President--Finance
____________________________________
Gregory R. Moxley
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
A MAJORITY OF THE DIRECTORS:
/s/ H. Wayne Huizenga Director
____________________________________
H. Wayne Huizenga
/s/ Donald F. Flynn Director
____________________________________
Donald F. Flynn
/s/ George D. Johnson, Jr. Director
____________________________________
George D. Johnson, Jr.
/s/ Stewart H. Johnson Director
____________________________________
Stewart H. Johnson
/s/ John J. Melk Director
____________________________________
John J. Melk
/s/ Peer Pedersen Director
____________________________________
Peer Pedersen
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement
on Form S-4 of our report dated February 13, 1998, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements of Extended Stay America, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995, which report is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 of Extended Stay America, Inc. We also consent to
the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and "Summary Financial
Information."
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
June 24, 1998
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated March 10, 1998
between
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
and
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED,
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION,
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC. and
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into March 10, 1998, between EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED, DONALDSON, LUFKIN &
JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION, BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC. and SALOMON BROTHERS
INC. (the "Placement Agents").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Placement Agreement dated March 5,
1998, between the Company and the Placement Agents (the "Placement Agreement"),
which provides for the sale by the Company to the Placement Agents of an
aggregate of $200,000,000 principal amount of the Company's 9.15% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Securities"). In order to induce the Placement
Agents to enter into the Placement Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide
to the Placement Agents and their direct and indirect transferees the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement
is a condition to the closing under the Placement Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall
have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time.
"1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
"Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Placement
Agreement.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement and shall also include the Company's successors.
"Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of
Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the 1933
Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each
case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.
<PAGE>
"Exchange Securities" shall mean securities issued by the Company
under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that
the Exchange Securities will not contain restrictions on transfer) and to be
offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.
"Final Memorandum" shall mean the Final Memorandum as defined in the
Placement Agreement.
"Holder" shall mean the Placement Agents, for so long as they own any
Registrable Securities, and each of its successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities
under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this
Agreement, the term "Holder" shall include Participating Broker-Dealers (as
defined in Section 4(a)).
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities to be
dated as of the Closing Date between the Company and Manufacturers and Traders
Trust Company, trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.
"Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that
whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company or any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
1933 Act) (other than the Placement Agents or subsequent holders of Registrable
Securities if such subsequent holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by
reason of their holding of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in
determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage or amount.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Placement Agents" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"Placement Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
to this Agreement.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all
other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including
all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided, however,
that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a
Registration Statement with respect
2
<PAGE>
to such Securities shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and
such Securities shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration
Statement, (ii) when such Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to
Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under
the 1933 Act or (iii) when such Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue
sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any
Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the
Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any
Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and
distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or
supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements
and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this
Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating
to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the
fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and, in the case of a Shelf
Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the
Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which
counsel may also be counsel for the Placement Agents) and (viii) the fees and
disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Company, including
the expenses of any special audits or "cold comfort" letters required by or
incident to such performance and compliance, but excluding fees and expenses of
counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause
(ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a Holder.
"Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements
to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each
case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this
Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities (but no other
securities unless approved by the Holders whose Registrable Securities are
covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an appropriate form under Rule
415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and
all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-
effective amendments, in each
3
<PAGE>
case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.
"Trustee" shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under
the Indenture.
"Underwriter" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
"Underwritten Offering" shall mean a registration in which Registrable
Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.
2. Registration Under the 1933 Act.
(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the Staff of the SEC, the Company shall use its best efforts
to cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer
by the Company to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities for
Exchange Securities and to have such Registration Statement remain effective
until the closing of the Exchange Offer. The Company shall commence the Exchange
Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC and use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer
consummated not later than 60 days after such effective date. The Company shall
commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related exchange offer Prospectus and
accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other
disclosures as are required by applicable law:
(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this
Registration Rights Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly
tendered will be accepted for exchange;
(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period
of at least 20 business days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Exchange
Dates");
(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain
outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights
under this Registration Rights Agreement;
(iv) that Holders electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such Registrable
Security, together with the enclosed letters of transmittal, to the institution
and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York)
specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the last Exchange
Date; and
(v) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election, not
later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by sending to the
institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York) specified in the notice a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of
Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder
is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged.
4
<PAGE>
As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company shall:
(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof
tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for
cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for
exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly
authenticate and mail to each Holder, an Exchange Security equal in principal
amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such
Holder.
The Company shall use its best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as
provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1933
Act, the 1934 Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with
the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions,
other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the Staff of the SEC. The Company shall inform the
Placement Agent of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange
Offer is made, and the Placement Agent shall have the right, subject to
applicable law, to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of
Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
(b) In the event that (i) the Company determines that the Exchange Offer
Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be
consummated as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would
violate applicable law or the applicable interpretations of the Staff of the
SEC, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason consummated by
September 10, 1998 or (iii) the Exchange Offer has been completed and in the
opinion of counsel for the Placement Agents a Registration Statement must be
filed and a Prospectus must be delivered by the Placement Agents in connection
with any offering or sale by them of Registrable Securities, the Company shall
use its best efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such
determination, date or notice of such opinion of counsel is given to the
Company, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the
sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities and to have such Shelf
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC. In the event the Company
is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement solely as a result of the
matters referred to in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company shall
use its best efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC both an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to
all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a
combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement)
with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Placement
Agents after completion of the Exchange Offer. The Company agrees to use its
best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective
until expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the 1933 Act
with respect to all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement or such shorter period that will terminate when all of the Registrable
Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company further agrees to supplement or
amend the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such
Shelf Registration
5
<PAGE>
Statement or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder
for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder with respect to
information relating to such Holder, and to use its best efforts to cause any
such amendment to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement to
become usable as soon as practicable thereafter. The Company agrees to furnish
to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or
amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
(c) The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the
registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b). Each Holder shall pay all
underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to
the sale or disposition of such Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement.
(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will
not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by
the SEC; provided, however, that, if, after it has been declared effective, the
offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is
interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of
the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement
will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such
interference until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement may legally resume. As provided for in the Indenture, in
the event the Exchange Offer is not consummated and the Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective on or prior to September 10, 1998, the
annual interest rate on the Securities (and the Exchange Securities) will
increase by .5% from September 10, 1998 until the Exchange Offer is consummated
or the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective.
(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Placement Agents and
the Holders, the Company acknowledges that any failure by the Company to comply
with its obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in
material irreparable injury to the Placement Agents or the Holders for which
there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure
damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure,
the Placement Agents or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to
specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Section 2(a) and Section
2(b) hereof.
3. Registration Procedures.
In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to the
Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the
Company shall as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the
appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the
Company and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the
sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (z) shall
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be
filed therewith, and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement
to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;
6
<PAGE>
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the applicable period and cause each
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so
supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; and keep each
Prospectus current during the period described under Section 4(3) and Rule 174
under the 1933 Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with
respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Placement Agents, to counsel for the
Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable
Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including
each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such
other documents as such Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request, in order
to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
Securities; and the Company consents to the use of such Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the
selling Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
and in the manner described in such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto in accordance with applicable law;
(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities
under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions
as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement
shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate with such Holders in
connection with any filings required to be made with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and do any and all other acts and things which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the
disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by
such Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i)
qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this
Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to service of process or (iii)
subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;
(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable
Securities, counsel for the Holders and counsel for the Placement Agents
promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in
writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any
post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, (ii) of
any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and
supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional
information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the
issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of
any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if, between the effective date of a
Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities
covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar
agreement, if any, relating to the offering cease to be
7
<PAGE>
true and correct in all material respects or if the Company receives any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any
proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event during the period
a Shelf Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement made in
such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material
respect or which requires the making of any changes in such Registration
Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading
and (vi) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to
a Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest
possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of
any such order;
(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without
documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless
requested);
(h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be in
such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and
registered in such names as the selling Holders may reasonably request at least
two business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event
contemplated by Section 3(e)(v) hereof, use its best efforts to prepare and file
with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered
to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The Company agrees to notify the Holders
to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence
of such an event, and the Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus
until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such
misstatement or omission;
(j) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement,
any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or
supplement to a Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by
reference into a Registration Statement (other than filings pursuant to the 1934
Act) or a Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide
copies of such document to the Placement Agents and their counsel (and, in the
case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) and make
such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by
the Placement Agents or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement, the
8
<PAGE>
Holders or their counsel) available for discussion of such document, and shall
not at any time file or make any amendment to the Registration Statement, any
Prospectus or any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a
Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement (other than filings pursuant to the 1934 Act) or a
Prospectus, of which the Placement Agents and their counsel (and, in the case of
a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) shall not have
previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Placement Agents or
their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders
or their counsel) shall object;
(k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a
Registration Statement;
(l) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "TIA"), in connection with the registration of the
Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may
be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute,
all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so
qualified in a timely manner;
(m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by
a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any Underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement,
and attorneys and accountants designated by the Holders, at reasonable times and
in a reasonable manner, all financial and other records, pertinent documents and
properties of the Company, and cause the respective officers, directors and
employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any
such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a
Shelf Registration Statement;
(n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to cause all
Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated
quotation system on which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then
listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable
Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;
(o) use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities, as the case may be, to be rated by two nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (as such term is defined in Rule 436(g)(2)
under the 1933 Act);
(p) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such
Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and (ii) make
all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective
amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such filing; and
9
<PAGE>
(q) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary
agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including
those requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being
sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such
connection, (i) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties
to the Placement Agents (in the event the Company is required to file a Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii)) and any Underwriters of
such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated
by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form,
substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (ii) obtain
opinions of counsel to the Company (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope
and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agents (in the
event the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 2(b)(iii)) and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed
to each Placement Agent (in the event the Company is required to file a Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii)) and Underwriter of
Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions
requested in underwritten offerings, (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters from
the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary,
any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company, or of
any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and
financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement)
addressed to each Placement Agent (in the event the Company is required to file
a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii)) and Underwriter of
Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection
with underwritten offerings, and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as
may be reasonably requested by the Placement Agents (in the event the Company is
required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii))
or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten
offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and
warranties of the Company made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence
compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each
Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information
regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request
in writing.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees that,
upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 3(e)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until
such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such
Holder will deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in its
possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give any such notice to suspend the
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the
10
<PAGE>
Company shall extend the period during which the Registration Statement shall be
maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the
period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including
the date when the Holders shall have received copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Company may give
any such notice only three times during any 365 day period and any such
suspensions may not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there may not be more
than three suspensions in effect during any 365 day period.
The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration
Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an
Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers (the "Underwriters") that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of the
Registrable Securities included in such offering; provided that such investment
banker or investment bankers and manager or managers shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Company.
4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.
(a) The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-dealer
that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), may
be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act and must
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Securities.
The Company understands that it is the Staff's position that if the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a
plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without
naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange
Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating
Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the 1933
Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so
long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the 1933 Act.
(b) In light of the above, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Agreement, the Company agrees that the provisions of this Agreement as they
relate to a Shelf Registration shall also apply to an Exchange Offer
Registration to the extent, and with such reasonable modifications thereto as
may be, reasonably requested by the Placement Agents or by one or more
Participating Broker-Dealers, in each case as provided in clause (ii) below, in
order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by
Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited
in Section 4(a) above; provided that:
(i) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as would
otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(i), for a period exceeding 120 days after
the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to the
penultimate paragraph of Section 3 of this Agreement) and Participating
11
<PAGE>
Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Company to deliver and shall not
deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with the resales
contemplated by this Section 4; and
(ii) the application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in
Section 3 of this Agreement to an Exchange Offer Registration, to the extent not
required by the positions of the Staff of the SEC or the 1933 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, will be in conformity with the reasonable request to
the Company by the Placement Agents or with the reasonable request in writing to
the Company by one or more broker-dealers who certify to the Placement Agents
and the Company in writing that they anticipate that they will be Participating
Broker-Dealers; and provided further that, in connection with such application
of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section 3 to an Exchange Offer
Registration, the Company shall be obligated (x) to deal only with one entity
representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated unless it elects not to act as such representative and (y) to
cause to be delivered only one, if any, "cold comfort" letter with respect to
the Prospectus in the form existing on the last Exchange Date and with respect
to each subsequent amendment or supplement, if any, effected during the period
specified in clause (i) above.
(c) The Placement Agents shall have no liability to the Company or any
Holder with respect to any request that it may make pursuant to Section 4(b)
above.
5. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Placement
Agents, each Holder and each Person, if any, who controls any Placement Agent or
any Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20
of the 1934 Act, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, any
Placement Agent or any Holder, from and against all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by any Placement Agent, any Holder or any such controlling
or affiliated Person in connection with defending or investigating any such
action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto)
pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered
under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference,
or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the
Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary
to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they
were made not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to the Placement
Agents or any Holder furnished to the Company in writing by the Placement Agents
or any selling Holder expressly for use therein. In connection with any
Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company will also indemnify
the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities
industry professionals
12
<PAGE>
participating in the distribution, their officers and directors and each Person
who controls such Persons (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act) to the same extent as provided above with
respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with
any Registration Statement.
(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, the Placement Agents and the other selling Holders, and
each of their respective directors, officers who sign the Registration Statement
and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, any of the Placement Agents
and any other selling Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from the Company to the Placement Agents and the Holders, but only with
reference to information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in
writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement (or any
amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation)
shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above, such person (the
"indemnified party") shall promptly notify the person against whom such
indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing and the
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Placement Agents and all
Persons, if any, who control any Placement Agent within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, (b) the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for
the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and
each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such
Section and (c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for all Holders and all Persons, if any, who
control any Holders within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such
fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In such case
involving the Placement Agents and Persons who control any Placement Agent, such
firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. In
such case involving the Holders and such Persons who control any Holders, such
firm shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders. In all other cases,
such firm shall be designated by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent but, if settled with such consent or if there be a final
13
<PAGE>
judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second
and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it
shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such
indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party for such fees
and expenses of counsel in accordance with such request prior to the date of
such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which such indemnified party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party,
unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified
party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b)
of this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, then each indemnifying
party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party
thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying
party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the
other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Holders shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Holders
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several
in proportion to the respective amount of Registrable Securities of such Holder
that were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.
(e) The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just or
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid
or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5, no Holder shall be required to indemnify or contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which Registrable Securities
were sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who
14
<PAGE>
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for
in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies
which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall
remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination
of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Placement
Agents, any Holder or any Person controlling any Placement Agent or any Holder,
or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any Person
controlling the Company, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and
(iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration
Statement.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented,
and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of at least
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable
Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or
consent; provided, however, that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver
or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be
effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in
writing by such Holder.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery
(i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the
Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 6(b), which address initially is, with respect to the Placement Agents,
the address set forth in the Placement Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company,
initially at the Company's address set forth in the Placement Agreement and
thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 6(b).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(c) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the
parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities
in violation of the terms of the Placement Agreement. If any transferee of any
Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation
of law or
15
<PAGE>
otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms
of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such
person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform
all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such person shall be
entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Placement Agents (in their capacity
as Placement Agents) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company with
respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder
of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.
(d) Purchases and Sales of Securities. The Company shall not, and shall
use its best efforts to cause its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the
1933 Act) not to, purchase and then resell or otherwise transfer any Securities.
(e) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Placement Agents, on the other hand, and any Holder shall have the
right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(j) Miscellaneous. The Company agrees, for the sole benefit of the
Placement Agents:
(i) prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the
effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement if, in the reasonable judgment
of any Placement Agent, such Placement Agent or any of its affiliates (as such
term is defined in the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act) is required to
deliver an offering memorandum in connection with sales of, or market-making
activities with respect to, the Securities or the Exchange Securities, (A) to
periodically amend or supplement the Final Memorandum so that the information
contained in the Final Memorandum complies with the requirements of Rule 144A of
the 1933 Act, (B) to amend or supplement the Final Memorandum when necessary to
reflect any material changes in the information provided therein so that the
Final Memorandum will not contain any untrue
16
<PAGE>
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing as
of the date the Final Memorandum is so delivered, not misleading and (C) to
provide such Placement Agent with copies of each such amended or supplemental
Final Memorandum, as such Placement Agent may reasonably request;
(ii) following the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the
effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement and for so long as the
Securities or, the Exchange Securities are outstanding if, in the reasonable
judgment of any Placement Agent, such Placement Agent or any of its affiliates
(as such term is defined in the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act) is
required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of, or market-making
activities with respect to, such securities, (A) to periodically amend the
applicable registration statement so that the information contained therein
complies with the requirements of Section 10(a) of the 1933 Act, (B) if
requested by such Placement Agent, within 45 days following the end of the
Company's most recent fiscal quarter, file a supplement to the prospectus
included in the applicable registration statement which sets forth the financial
results of the Company for the previous quarter, (C) to amend the applicable
registration statement or supplement the related prospectus or the documents
incorporated therein when necessary to reflect any material changes in the
information provided therein so that the registration statement and the
prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances existing as of the date the prospectus is so
delivered, not misleading and (D) to provide such Placement Agent with copies of
each such amendment or supplement as such Placement Agent may reasonably
request;
(iii) notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, (A) prior to
amending the Final Memorandum or to filing any post-effective amendment to any
registration statement or to supplementing any related prospectus, to furnish to
the Placement Agents and their counsel, copies of all such documents proposed to
be amended, filed or supplemented, and (B) it will not issue any amendment to
the Final Memorandum, any post-effective amendment to a registration statement
or any supplement to a prospectus to which the Placement Agents or their counsel
shall object;
(iv) it shall notify the Placement Agents and their counsel and (if
requested by any such person) confirm such advice in writing, (A) when any
amendment to the Final Memorandum has been issued, when any prospectus
supplement or amendment or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B)
of any request by the SEC for any post-effective amendment or supplement to a
registration statement, any supplement or amendment to a prospectus or for
additional information, (C) the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose, (D) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
Securities or the Exchange Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the
initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purpose and (E) of the
happening of any event which makes any statement made in the Final Memorandum, a
registration statement, a prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto
untrue or which requires the making of any
17
<PAGE>
change in the Final Memorandum, a registration statement, a prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, in order to make the statements therein not
misleading;
(v) it consents to the use of the Final Memorandum and any
prospectus referred to in this paragraph (j) or any amendment or supplement
thereto, by the Placement Agents in connection with the offering and sale of the
Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be;
(vi) it will comply with the provisions of this paragraph (j) at its
own expense and will reimburse the Placement Agents for its expenses associated
with this paragraph (j) (including fees of counsel); and
(vii) it hereby expressly acknowledges that the indemnification and
contribution provisions of Section 7 of the Placement Agreement shall be
specifically applicable and relate to each offering memorandum, registration
statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement referred to in this paragraph
(j).
18
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
By
___________________________
Name:
Title:
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
By Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
By
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
19
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.2
================================================================================
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.,
Issuer
and
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
TRUST COMPANY,
Trustee
---------------------
Indenture
Dated as of March 10, 1998
---------------------
9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
===============================================================================
<PAGE>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
---------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TIA Sections Indenture Sections
- ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C>
(S) 310(a)(1)............................................... 7.10
(a)(2)............................................... 7.10
(b).................................................. 7.08
(S) 313(c).................................................. 7.06; 11.02
(S) 314(a).................................................. 4.17; 11.02
(a)(4)............................................... 4.16; 11.02
(c)(1)............................................... 11.03
(c)(2)............................................... 11.03
(e).................................................. 11.04
(S) 315(b).................................................. 7.05; 11.02
(S) 316(a)(1)(A)............................................ 6.05
(a)(1)(B)............................................ 6.04
(b).................................................. 6.07
(S) 317(a)(1)............................................... 6.08
(a)(2)............................................... 6.09
(S) 318(a).................................................. 11.01
(c).................................................. 11.01
</TABLE>
Note: The Cross-Reference Table shall not for any purpose be deemed to be a
part of this Indenture.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE ONE................................................................. 7
SECTION 1.01. Definitions............................................. 7
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act....... 26
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction................................... 27
ARTICLE TWO................................................................. 27
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating......................................... 27
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends..................................... 29
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations............. 31
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.............................. 32
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust..................... 33
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange................................... 33
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.................. 34
SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions............................. 36
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes....................................... 38
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes....................................... 39
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes......................................... 39
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation............................................ 40
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers........................................... 40
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest...................................... 40
ARTICLE THREE............................................................... 40
SECTION 3.01. Right of Redemption..................................... 40
</TABLE>
i
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee..................................... 41
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed...................... 41
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption................................... 42
SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption......................... 43
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price............................ 43
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption................. 43
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part................................. 43
ARTICLE FOUR............................................................... 44
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes....................................... 44
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency........................ 44
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness............................. 45
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments...................... 47
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries................................ 49
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries.......................................... 50
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries..................................................... 50
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and
Affiliates....................................................... 51
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens.................................... 52
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Asset Sales.............................. 52
SECTION 4.11. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control........... 53
SECTION 4.12. Existence.............................................. 53
SECTION 4.13. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims...................... 53
SECTION 4.14. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance................ 53
SECTION 4.15. Notice of Defaults..................................... 54
</TABLE>
ii
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 4.16. Compliance Certificates................................ 54
SECTION 4.17. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.............. 55
SECTION 4.18. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws................ 55
SECTION 4.19. Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness......... 55
ARTICLE FIVE............................................................... 55
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc............................ 55
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted.................................. 57
ARTICLE SIX................................................................ 57
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default...................................... 57
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration........................................... 58
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies......................................... 59
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults................................ 59
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority.................................... 60
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits.................................... 60
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment................... 61
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee............................. 61
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim....................... 61
SECTION 6.10. Priorities............................................. 62
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.................................. 62
SECTION 6.12. Restoration of Rights and Remedies..................... 62
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative......................... 62
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver........................... 63
ARTICLE SEVEN.............................................................. 63
SECTION 7.01. General................................................ 63
</TABLE>
iii
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.............................. 63
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee........................... 64
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer................................... 64
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default...................................... 64
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.......................... 65
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity............................. 65
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee................................. 65
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc....................... 66
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility............................................ 66
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust.................................... 67
SECTION 7.12. Withholding Taxes...................................... 67
ARTICLE EIGHT.............................................................. 67
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations................... 67
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.................. 68
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations...................... 70
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money............................. 72
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company................................... 72
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement.......................................... 73
ARTICLE NINE............................................................... 73
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders............................. 73
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders................................ 73
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent....................... 74
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes....................... 75
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc........................ 75
</TABLE>
iv
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.................... 76
ARTICLE TEN................................................................ 76
SECTION 10.01. Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness............. 76
SECTION 10.02. No Payment on Notes in Certain Circumstances.......... 76
SECTION 10.03. Payment over Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc........... 77
SECTION 10.04. Subrogation........................................... 79
SECTION 10.05. Obligations of Company Unconditional.................. 80
SECTION 10.06. Notice to Trustee..................................... 80
SECTION 10.07. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of
Liquidating Agent................................................ 81
SECTION 10.08. Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness............. 81
SECTION 10.09. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or
Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness....... 81
SECTION 10.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate
Subordination of Notes........................................... 82
SECTION 10.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default...................... 82
SECTION 10.12. Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced................. 82
SECTION 10.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions................. 82
SECTION 10.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution............. 82
SECTION 10.15. Consent of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Under
the Credit Agreement............................................. 83
SECTION 10.16. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated......................... 83
ARTICLE ELEVEN............................................................. 83
SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939........................... 83
SECTION 11.02. Notices............................................... 83
SECTION 11.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.... 85
SECTION 11.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion......... 85
</TABLE>
v
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 11.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar........... 85
SECTION 11.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day................ 85
SECTION 11.07. Governing Law......................................... 86
SECTION 11.08. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements......... 86
SECTION 11.09. No Recourse Against Others............................ 86
SECTION 11.10. Successors............................................ 86
SECTION 11.11. Duplicate Originals................................... 86
SECTION 11.12. Separability.......................................... 86
SECTION 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc...................... 86
EXHIBIT A Form of Note A-1
EXHIBIT B Form of Certificate B-1
EXHIBIT C Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors C-1
EXHIBIT D Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S D-1
</TABLE>
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INDENTURE, dated as of March 10, 1998, between Extended Stay America,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Manufacturers and Traders
Trust Company, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance of up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Company's 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
issuable as provided in this Indenture. All things necessary to make this
Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have
been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder
and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company as
hereinafter provided.
This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, that are required to be a part of and to
govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders, the Company and the Trustee, as follows.
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with
an Asset Acquisition from such Person by a Restricted Subsidiary and not
Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Person
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition; provided that
Indebtedness of such Person which is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise
repaid at the time of or immediately upon consummation of the transactions by
which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition
shall not be Acquired Indebtedness.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the
aggregate net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP;
provided that the following items shall be
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excluded in computing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (without duplication):
(i) the net income of any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other
distributions actually paid to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
by such Person during such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating
the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the
first paragraph of Section 4.04 (and in such case, except to the extent
includable pursuant to clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any Person
accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into
or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or
substantially all of the property and assets of such Person are acquired by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends
or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time of such determination
permitted by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or losses (on an after-
tax basis) attributable to Asset Sales; (v) except for purposes of calculating
the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the
first paragraph of Section 4.04, any amount paid or accrued as dividends on
Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons
other than the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (vi) all
extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable
depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), except to the extent
resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection
with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items) and (ii) all goodwill, trade names,
trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
prepared in conformity with GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent or co-
Registrar.
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"Agent Members" has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).
"Amended Credit Agreement" means the amendment to and restatement of
the Credit Agreement and such other agreements, instruments and documents
contemplated by the Commitment Letter dated February 13, 1998 between the
Company and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, in each case as such amended and
restated Credit Agreement or such other agreements, instruments and documents
may be amended (including amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented,
extended, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
investment or (ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially all of a
division or line of business, or one or more hotel properties, of such Person;
provided that the property and assets acquired are related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
on the date of such acquisition.
"Asset Disposition" means the sale or other disposition by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) of (i) all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) all or substantially all of the
assets that constitute a division or line of business, or one or more hotel
properties, of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including
by way of merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction) in one
transaction or a series of related transactions by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the property and assets of an
operating unit or business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or (iii) any other property and assets of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than the Capital Stock or other Investment in an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) outside the ordinary course of business of the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed by the
provisions of this Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and sales of
assets of the Company; provided that "Asset Sale" shall not include (a) sales or
other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b)
sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets with a fair market value not in
excess of $1 million in any transaction or series of related transactions, (c)
sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets constituting a Restricted
Payment permitted to be made under Section 4.04, (d) sales or other dispositions
of assets for consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the
assets sold or disposed of, to the extent that the consideration
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received would satisfy clause (B) of Section 4.10 or (e) sales, transfers or
other dispositions of property or equipment that has become worn out, obsolete
or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
debt security, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of
(a) the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each
successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security and (b) the amount
of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.
"Bank Agent" means The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, or its
successors as agent for the lenders under the Credit Agreement.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any committee of such Board of Directors duly authorized to act under this
Indenture.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution, certified by the
Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered
to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in The City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized by law to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common
Stock and Preferred Stock.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present value
of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with GAAP, is
required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the discounted present value of
the rental obligations under a Capitalized Lease.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) a "person" or "group"
(within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other
than the Existing Stockholders and their respective Affiliates, becomes the
ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis,
than is held by or for the Existing Stockholders and their Affiliates on such
date; or (ii)
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individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors (together
with any new or replacement directors whose election by the Board of Directors
or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for election by the Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors then still in office who either were members of the Board of
Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election was
so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued
under this Indenture.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time
after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing
such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's equity, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all series and
classes of common stock.
"Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five of this
Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
"Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of
the Company (i) by its Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its President or a Vice
President and (ii) by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary and delivered to the Trustee; provided, however, that such
written request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or directors
listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed by one of such officers or
directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause
(ii) above.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus, (A) to the extent such amount was deducted in
calculating such Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (ii) income taxes (other than income taxes (either positive or
negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or losses or sales of assets),
(iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v) all other non-cash
items reducing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income less all non-cash items
increasing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, provided that increases or
decreases from changes in the amounts of current assets or current liabilities,
respectively, shall not result in adjustments to Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income pursuant to this clause (v), all as determined on a consolidated basis
for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP, and (B)
$25 million (for fiscal periods ending on or prior to December 31, 1998), $15
million (for fiscal periods ending
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after December 31, 1998 and on or prior to December 31, 1999) and $10 million
(for fiscal periods ending after December 31, 1999 and on or prior to December
31, 2000); provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not
otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) by an amount equal to (X) the amount
of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income attributable to such Restricted
Subsidiary multiplied by (Y) the percentage ownership interest in the income of
such Restricted Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of interest in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the
effective interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other
fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing; the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements; and
Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid
or to be accrued by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such
period; excluding, however, (i) any amount of such interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the
definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such
Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof) and (ii) any
premiums, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof) payable in connection
with the offering of the Notes or the establishment of the Credit Agreement or
the Amended Credit Agreement, all as determined on a consolidated basis (without
taking into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of determination,
stockholders' equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or
annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(which shall be as of a date not more than 135 days prior to the date of such
computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries),
less any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any equity security
convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness, the cost of treasury stock
and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from the sale of the
Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each item to
be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of foreign currency
exchange adjustments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 52); provided that for purposes of clause
(viii) of Section 4.03, pro forma effect shall be given to any issuance and sale
of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the date of such
consolidated balance sheet.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the
corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
principally administered, which
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office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor,
Buffalo, NY 14203, Attention: Corporate Trust Department.
"Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement dated as of September
26, 1997 among the Company, various banks, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.,
as syndication agent and arranger, and The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited, as
administrative agent, together with any agreements, instruments and documents
executed or delivered pursuant to or in connection with such credit agreement
(including without limitation any Guarantees and security documents), in each
case as such credit agreement or such agreements, instruments or documents may
be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented,
extended, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time (including
the Amended Credit Agreement and including any agreement extending the maturity
of, refinancing or otherwise restructuring (including, but not limited to, the
inclusion of additional borrowers thereunder that are Subsidiaries of the
Company) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any
successor agreement, as such agreement may be amended, renewed, extended,
substituted, replaced, restated and otherwise modified from time to time).
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency
swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, its nominees,
and their respective successors.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any Indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement (except that any Indebtedness which represents a partial
refinancing of Indebtedness theretofore outstanding pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, rather than a complete refinancing thereof, shall only constitute
Designated Senior Indebtedness if such partial refinancing meets the
requirements of clause (ii) below) and (ii) any other Indebtedness constituting
Senior Indebtedness that, at the date of determination, has an aggregate
principal amount outstanding of at least $25 million and that is specifically
designated by the Company, in the instrument creating or evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness, as "Designated Senior Indebtedness."
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock of any
Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder of
such class or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated Maturity
of the Notes or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock
referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a scheduled
maturity prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or
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"change of control" occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall
not constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"
provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders
of such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in Section 4.10 and Section
4.11 and such Capital Stock specifically provides that such Person will not
repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the
Company's repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to
Section 4.10 and Section 4.11.
"Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
"Excess Proceeds" has the meaning provided in Section 4.10.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
"Exchange Notes" means any securities of the Company containing terms
identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes (i) shall be registered
under the Securities Act and (ii) shall have an interest rate equal to 9.15% per
annum, without provision for adjustment as provided in the fourth paragraph of
Section 1 of the Notes) that are issued and exchanged for the Notes pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.
"Existing Stockholders" means H. Wayne Huizenga, George D. Johnson,
Jr. and Stewart H. Johnson, their spouses and any one or more of their lineal
descendants and their spouses or any trust created solely for the benefit of any
such Persons.
"Extended Stay Assets" means (i) an investment by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
(ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the
property and assets of any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, that are related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;
or (iii) the construction or development of property or assets that are related,
ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, in each case including the costs and expenses
in connection therewith (including the cost of design, development,
construction, acquisition or improvement).
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an arm's-
length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to
sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
if evidenced by a Board Resolution.
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"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in
such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment
of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations contained or referred
to in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis, except that calculations made for purposes of determining
compliance with the terms of this Indenture shall be made without giving effect
to (i) the amortization of any expenses incurred in connection with the offering
of the Notes or the establishment of the Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit
Agreement (including the write-off of debt issuance costs in connection
therewith), (ii) the costs related to the acquisition of Studio Plus Hotels
Inc., and (iii) except as otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts
required or permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, obligations fully
guaranteed by, or participations in pools consisting solely of obligations of or
obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which
guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of
America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the
issuer thereof.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of
such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by
agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services
(unless such purchase arrangements are on arm's-length terms and are entered
into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain
financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes
of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment
thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or
in part); provided that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Guaranteed Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means the registered holder of any Note.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create,
issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to, or
become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
Indebtedness, including an "Incurrence" of Acquired
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Indebtedness; provided that neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of
original issue discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding obligations with
respect to letters of credit (including trade letters of credit) securing
obligations (other than obligations described in (i) or (ii) above or (v), (vi)
or (vii) below) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person
to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to
the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day
following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement), (iv) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
property or services, which purchase price is due more than six months after the
date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or
the completion of such services, except Trade Payables, (v) all Capitalized
Lease Obligations, (vi) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on
any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such
Person; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A)
the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the
amount of such Indebtedness, (vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed
by such Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person and
(viii) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, obligations
under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of
Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such
date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to
contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the
contingency giving rise to the obligation, provided (A) that the amount
outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount
is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion
of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined
in conformity with GAAP, (B) that money borrowed and set aside at the time of
the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the
interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" so long
as such money is held to secure the payment of such interest, and (C) that
Indebtedness shall not include any liability for federal, state, local or other
taxes.
"Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date,
the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such Transaction Date to (ii)
the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such Transaction Date plus
(B) the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company on such Transaction Date.
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"Indenture" means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may
be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time by one or more
indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the ratio of
(i) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four
fiscal quarters prior to such Transaction Date for which reports have been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17 (the
"Four Quarter Period") to (ii) the aggregate Consolidated Interest Expense
during such Four Quarter Period. In making the foregoing calculation, (A) pro
forma effect shall be given to any Indebtedness Incurred or repaid during the
period (the "Reference Period") commencing on the first day of the Four Quarter
Period and ending on the Transaction Date (other than Indebtedness Incurred or
repaid under a revolving credit or similar arrangement to the extent of the
commitment thereunder (or under any predecessor revolving credit or similar
arrangement) in effect on the last day of such Four Quarter Period unless any
portion of such Indebtedness is projected, in the reasonable judgment of the
senior management of the Company, to remain outstanding for a period in excess
of 12 months from the date of the Incurrence thereof), in each case as if such
Indebtedness had been Incurred or repaid on the first day of such Reference
Period (and pro forma effect shall be given to the purchase of any U.S.
government securities required to be purchased with the proceeds of any such
Indebtedness and set aside to prefund the payment of interest on such
Indebtedness at the time such Indebtedness is Incurred); (B) Consolidated
Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness (whether existing
or being Incurred) computed on a pro forma basis and bearing a floating interest
rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the Transaction Date (taking
into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months or, if
shorter, at least equal to the remaining term of such Indebtedness) had been the
applicable rate for the entire period; (C) pro forma effect shall be given to
Asset Dispositions and Asset Acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to
the application of proceeds of any Asset Disposition) and the designation of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries that occur during such
Reference Period as if they had occurred and such proceeds had been applied on
the first day of such Reference Period; and (D) pro forma effect shall be given
to asset dispositions and asset acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect
to the application of proceeds of any asset disposition) that have been made by
any Person that has become a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or
into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference Period and
that would have constituted Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions had such
transactions occurred when such Person was a Restricted Subsidiary as if such
asset dispositions or asset acquisitions were Asset Dispositions or Asset
Acquisitions that occurred on the first day of such Reference Period; provided
that to the extent that clause (C) or (D) of this sentence requires that pro
forma effect be given to an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition, such pro
forma calculation shall be based upon the four full
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fiscal quarters immediately preceding the Transaction Date of the Person, or
division or line of business of the Person, that is acquired or disposed for
which financial information is available.
"Interest Payment Date" means each semiannual interest payment date on
March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 1998.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection
agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement,
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar
agreement, interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract or other
similar agreement or arrangement.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by way of Guarantee
or similar arrangement; but excluding advances to customers, suppliers or
contractors in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with
GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the
balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) or capital
contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or
any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any
purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments issued by, such Person and shall include (i) the designation
of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the fair
market value of the Capital Stock (or any other Investment), held by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of (or in) any Person that has ceased to
be a Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, by reason of any
transaction permitted by clause (iii) of Section 4.06; provided that the fair
market value of the Investment remaining in any Person that has ceased to be a
Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount of Investments
previously made in such Person valued at the time such Investments were made
less the net reduction of such Investments. For purposes of the definition of
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment" shall include the
fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than liabilities to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Restricted Subsidiary
at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, (ii) the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other
than liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
designated a Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a reduction in
outstanding Investments and (iii) any property transferred to or from an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of
such transfer.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance,
lien or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale
or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any
agreement to give any security interest).
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
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"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
proceeds of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including
payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding
to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when received in the form
of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such obligations are financed
or sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds
from the conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash
equivalents, net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses
(including fees and expenses of counsel and investment bankers) related to such
Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes (whether or not such taxes will
actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset Sale without regard
to the consolidated results of operations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to repay Indebtedness or any
other obligation outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale that either (A) is
secured by a Lien on the property or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid
as a result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against any liabilities
associated with such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and
other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect
to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or sale
in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but
not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash
equivalents (except to the extent such obligations are financed or sold with
recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the
conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash
equivalents, net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or
placement agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and
other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes
paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a U.S. person, as defined
in Regulation S.
"Notes" means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph
of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term "Notes" shall include
any Exchange Notes to be issued and exchanged for any Notes pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture and, for purposes of this
Indenture, all Notes and Exchange Notes shall vote together as one series of
Notes under this Indenture.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company
from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder
stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all
Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis; (ii)
the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no
earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed)
(the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue
interest pursuant to
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its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase
price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall
cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date; (v) that Holders
electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be
required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled "Option of the
Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse side of the Note completed, to the
Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date; (vi) that
Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent
receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day
immediately preceding the Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Notes
delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his
election to have such Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose Notes are
being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount
to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each Note
purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof. On the Payment Date, the Company shall (i) accept
for payment on a pro rata basis Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to
an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay
the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (iii)
deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all Notes or portions thereof
so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate specifying the Notes or
portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent shall
promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to
the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such
Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the
Note surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued
shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The
Company will publicly announce the results of an Offer to Purchase as soon as
practicable after the Payment Date. The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent
for an Offer to Purchase. The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that the Company
is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.
"Officer" means, with respect to the Company, (i) the Chairman of the
Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, and (ii)
the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by one Officer
listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause
(ii) of the definition thereof or two Officers listed in clause (i) of the
definition thereof. Each Officers' Certificate (other than certificates provided
pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the statements provided for in
TIA Section 314(e).
"Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
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"Offshore Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion signed by legal counsel
who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. Each such Opinion of
Counsel shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).
"Paying Agent" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that,
for the purposes of Article Eight, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or
a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them. The term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.
"Payment Blockage Period" has the meaning provided in Section 10.02.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such
Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or
into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Person's primary business is
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment; (ii) Temporary Cash
Investments; (iii) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses
in accordance with GAAP; (iv) stock, obligations or securities received in
satisfaction of judgments; (v) an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary
consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary; (vi)
Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements designed solely to protect the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates or
foreign currency exchange rates; (vii) loans or advances to employees in the
ordinary course of business in aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $1
million; and (viii) Investments in any Person the primary business of which is
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments
does not exceed $50 million plus the net reduction in such Investments.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
"Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference stock,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without
limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.
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"principal" of a debt security, including the Notes, means the
principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Redemption Date" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Registrar" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1998, between the Company and Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Bear
Stearns & Co. Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc and certain permitted assigns
specified therein.
"Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement as defined
and described in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date means the March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the
case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means
the chairman or any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any
vice chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman
of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, any assistant vice
president, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant
treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant
trust officer, the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer
of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by
any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
"Restricted Payments" has the meaning provided in Section 4.04.
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"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
"Secured Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.09.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
"Security Register" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the following obligations of the Company,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred: (i) all
Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations (including, without limitation,
expenses, fees, principal, interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of
credit and indemnities payable in connection therewith) of the Company under (or
in respect of) the Credit Agreement or any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency
Agreement relating to the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and (ii) all
other Indebtedness and all other monetary obligations of the Company (other than
the Notes), including principal and interest on such Indebtedness, unless such
Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, is pari passu with, or
subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided that the term "Senior
Indebtedness" shall not include (a) any Indebtedness of the Company that, when
Incurred, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the
Company to a Subsidiary of the Company, or to a joint venture in which the
Company has an interest, (c) any Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent not
permitted by Section 4.03 and Section 4.19, (d) any repurchase, redemption or
other obligation in respect of Disqualified Stock, (e) any Indebtedness to any
employee of the Company or any of its respective Subsidiaries, (f) any liability
for taxes owed or owing by the Company or (g) any Trade Payables. Senior
Indebtedness will also include interest accruing subsequent to events of
bankruptcy of the Company and its respective Subsidiaries at the rate provided
for in the document governing such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such
interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the debtor in a bankruptcy case
under bankruptcy law.
"Senior Subordinated Obligations" means any principal of, premium, if
any, interest, or other amounts due, on the Notes payable pursuant to the terms
of the Notes or upon acceleration, including any amounts received upon the
exercise of rights of rescission or other rights of action (including claims for
damages) or otherwise, to the extent relating to the purchase price of the Notes
or amounts corresponding to such principal, premium, if any, or interest on the
Notes.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most
recent fiscal year of the Company, accounted for more than 10% of the
consolidated revenues of the Company and its Restricted
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Subsidiaries or (ii) as of the end of such fiscal year, was the owner of more
than 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the most recently available consolidated
financial statements of the Company for such fiscal year.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, and its successors.
"Stated Maturity" means, (i) with respect to any debt security, the
date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final
installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii) with
respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which
such installment is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
association, business trust or other business entity of which more than 50% of
the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any
agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money
market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof
issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the
United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by
the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has capital,
surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50 million (or the
foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated "A"
(or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the
Securities Act) or any money market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer
or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more
than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i)
above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause
(ii) above, (iv) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the
date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the
Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of
America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United
States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein
is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's or "A-1" (or higher) according
to S&P, (v) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of
acquisition issued or fully and unconditionally guaranteed by any state,
commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by S&P or
Moody's and (vi) other dollar denominated securities issued by any Person
incorporated in the United States rated at least "A" or the equivalent by S&P or
at least "A2" or the equivalent by Moody's and in each case either (A) maturing
not more than one year after the date of acquisition or (B) which are subject to
a repricing arrangement
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(such as a Dutch auction) not more than one year after the date of acquisition
(and reprices at least yearly thereafter) which the Person making the investment
believes in good faith will permit such Person to sell such security at par in
connection with such repricing mechanism.
"TIA" or "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S. Code (S)(S) 77aaa-77bbb), as in effect on the date this Indenture was
executed, except as provided in Section 9.06.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts
payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors
created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising
in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods
or services, including without limitation, obligations under (or in respect of)
construction contracts (to the extent such obligations do not constitute
Indebtedness for borrowed money).
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date such
Indebtedness is to be Incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the
date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of
Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.
"United States Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.
"U.S. Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the 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 issuer thereof at any time prior
to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S.
Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a 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 U.S. Government Obligation
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or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government
Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
"U.S. Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted
Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any
Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated
shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such Indebtedness and an "Investment" by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of
such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than
$1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04; and (C) if
applicable, the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in
clause (A) of this proviso would be permitted under Section 4.03 and Section
4.04. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such
designation and (ii) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
outstanding immediately after such designation would, if Incurred at such time,
have been permitted to be Incurred (and shall be deemed to have been Incurred)
for all purposes of this Indenture. Any such designation by the Board of
Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee
a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing provisions.
"Voting Stock" means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors,
managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person,
the ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other
than any director's qualifying shares or Investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law) by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
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"indenture securities" means the Notes;
"indenture security holder" means a Holder or a Securityholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee;
and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other
obligor on the Notes.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the
TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of the
Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
therein.
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) "or" is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural
include the singular;
(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(vi) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import refer to
this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision;
(vii) all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this
Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition of GAAP set
forth in Section 1.01; and
(viii) all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or
Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate
of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
A. The Notes may
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have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange
agreements to which the Company is subject or usage. The Company shall approve
the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes. Each
Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed
hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of
this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their
execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and
provisions and to be bound thereby.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued
initially in the form of a single permanent global Note in registered form,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Global Note"),
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The
aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Global Note may from time to time be
increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of a single permanent global
Note in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the
"Offshore Global Note") deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the
Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Offshore Global Note
may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the
records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as
hereinafter provided.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation D under the
Securities Act shall be issued in the form of permanent certificated Notes in
registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S.
Physical Notes"). Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.07 in exchange for
interests in the Offshore Global Note shall be in the form of permanent
certificated Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit A (the "Offshore Physical Notes").
The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are sometimes
collectively herein referred to as the "Physical Notes." The U.S. Global Note
and the Offshore Global Note are sometimes referred to herein as the "Global
Notes."
The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved
or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other
manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Notes may
be listed, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced
by their execution of such Notes.
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SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends. Unless and until a Note is
exchanged for an Exchange Note in connection with an effective Registration
Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (i) the U.S. Global
Note and each U.S. Physical Note shall bear the legend, set forth below on the
face thereof and (ii) the Offshore Physical Notes and the Offshore Global Note
shall bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof until at least 41 days
after the Closing Date and receipt by the Company and the Trustee of a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S.
PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION
HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3)
OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN "INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS
NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD
REFERRED TO IN RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AS IN EFFECT WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A)
TO EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE
UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE
144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES
TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM
OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND IF SUCH TRANSFER IS
IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES AT THE TIME OF
TRANSFER OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
(IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO
WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
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LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD
REFERRED TO ABOVE THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON
THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS
CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO
THE TRUSTEE AND EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL
OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO
CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR
IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED
STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE
TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, shall also bear the
following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF
TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
(AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY),
ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS
AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT
NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS
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MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF THE
INDENTURE.
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations. The Notes
shall be executed by two Officers of the Company. The signature of any of these
Officers on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on
behalf of the Company.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the Note, the Note
shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this
Indenture.
The Trustee or an authenticating agent shall upon receipt of a Company
Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal amount of
up to $200,000,000 plus any Exchange Notes that may be issued pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company in
connection with such authentication of Notes. The Opinion of Counsel shall
state:
(a) that the form and terms of such Notes have been established by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution or an indenture supplemental hereto in
conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) that such supplemental indenture, if any, when executed and
delivered by the Company and the Trustee, will constitute a valid and
binding obligation of the Company;
(c) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions
specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms and will be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar
laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles; and
(d) that the Company has been duly incorporated in, and is a validly
existing corporation in good standing under the laws of, the State of
Delaware.
Such Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the
date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated. The aggregate
principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the amount set
forth above except for Notes
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authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange
for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.09, 2.10 or 2.11.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent 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 authenticating agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons
and only in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and any integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain
an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or
for exchange (the "Registrar"), an office or agency where Notes may be presented
for payment (the "Paying Agent") and an office or agency where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served, which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. The
Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes and of their
transfer and exchange (the "Security Register"). The Company may have one or
more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent
and any change in the address of such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a
Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands, the
Trustee shall act as such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of
notices and demands. The Company may remove any agent upon written notice to
such agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective
until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor agent to such agent as
evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and
such successor agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the
Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such agent until the appointment of a
successor agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and
demands.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent,
authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands. If, at any
time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to
the Trustee on or before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as
the Trustee may reasonably request, the names and addresses of the Holders as
they appear in the Security Register.
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SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later than each
due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Notes, the
Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds
sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in
writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the
Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (whether such money has
been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes), and such
Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company (or
any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. The Company at any
time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and
account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the
continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent,
require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to
account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no
further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee. If the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying
Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the
benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such principal, premium,
if any, or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to
such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Indenture, and will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Notes are issuable only in
registered form. A Holder may transfer a Note by written application to the
Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying
with the terms of this Indenture. No such transfer shall be effected until, and
such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final
acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security
Register. The Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company shall treat the
person in whose name the Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes whether or not the Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee, nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Furthermore, any Holder of a U.S. Global Note shall, by acceptance of such U.S.
Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such U.S. Global
Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder
of such U.S. Global Note (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial
interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When
Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to
register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes
of other authorized denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange
Notes), the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
requested if its requirements for such transactions are met; provided that no
exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are
exchanged for Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee. To permit
registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar's request. No service charge
shall be made for any registration of transfer or
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exchange or redemption of the Notes, but the Company 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 other similar
governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.08 or
9.04).
The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
Notes selected for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. (a) The U.S.
Global Note and Offshore Global Note initially shall (i) be registered in the
name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary,
(ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear
legends as set forth in Section 2.02.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on
their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the
Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and
any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global
Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the
Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary
and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the
exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such
Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or
their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may
be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and
the provisions of Section 2.08. In addition, U.S. Physical Notes and Offshore
Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for
their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Note or the Offshore Global Note,
respectively, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global Note or the Offshore Global
Note, as the case may be, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the
Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request to the foregoing
effect from the Depositary.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is
transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global
Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will
thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures
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applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it
remains such an interest.
(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial
interests in a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and
a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Note to be
transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, one or more Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.
(e) In connection with the transfer of the entire U.S. Global Note or
Offshore Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section, the U.S. Global Note or Offshore Global Note, as the case may be, shall
be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each
beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial
interest in the U.S. Global Note or Offshore Global Note, as the case may be, an
equal aggregate principal amount of U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical
Notes, as the case may be, of authorized denominations.
(f) Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in
the U.S. Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b) or (d) of this Section shall,
except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend
regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set forth
in Section 2.02.
(g) Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest
in the Offshore Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall,
except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend
regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Offshore Physical Note set
forth in Section 2.02.
(h) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(i) QIBs that are beneficial owners of interests in a U.S. Global Note
may receive Physical Notes (which shall bear the Private Placement Legend if
required by Section 2.02) in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary.
In connection with the execution, authentication and delivery of such Physical
Notes, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records a decrease in the
principal amount of the relevant U.S. Global Note equal to the principal amount
of such Physical Notes, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver one or more Physical Notes having an equal aggregate
principal amount.
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SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions. Unless and until a Note
is exchanged for an Exchange Note in connection with an effective registration
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the following provisions shall
apply:
(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors. The
following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any
proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited Investor which
is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note,
whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if (x)
the requested transfer is after the time period referred to in Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act as in effect with respect to such
transfer or (y) the proposed transferee has delivered to the Registrar
(A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and
(B) if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being transferred
is less than $100,000 at the time of such transfer, an opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance
with the Securities Act.
(ii) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note, upon receipt by the
Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) and
(y) instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S.
Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be transferred, and the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
one or more U.S. Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.
(b) Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall apply with
respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a U.S. Physical
Note or an interest in the U.S. Global Note to a QIB (excluding Non-U.S.
Persons):
(i) If the Note to be transferred consists of (x) U.S. Physical
Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is
being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box provided
for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company
and the Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made in
compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has
signed the certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or
has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that
it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with
respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it
and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is
aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the
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Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined
not to request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to
claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A or (y) an
interest in the U.S. Global Note, the transfer of such interest may be
effected only through the book entry system maintained by the
Depositary.
(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Note
to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical Notes, upon receipt by the
Registrar of the documents referred to in clause (i) and instructions
given in accordance with the Depositary's and the Registrar's
procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the
date and an increase in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Note
in an amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical Notes,
to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the U.S. Physical Note
so transferred.
(c) Transfers of Interests in the Offshore Global Note or Offshore
Physical Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to any
transfer of interests in the Offshore Global Note or Offshore Physical
Notes:
(i) prior to the removal of the Private Placement Legend from
the Offshore Global Note or Offshore Physical Notes pursuant to
Section 2.02, the Registrar shall refuse to register such transfer;
and
(ii) after such removal, the Registrar shall register the
transfer of any such Note without requiring any additional
certification.
(d) Intentionally Omitted.
(e) Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time. The following
provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a Non-U.S.
Person:
(i) The Registrar shall register any proposed transfer to any
Non-U.S. Person if the Note to be transferred is a U.S. Physical Note
or an interest in the U.S. Global Note only upon receipt of a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D from the proposed
transferor.
(ii) (A) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note, upon receipt by the
Registrar of (x) the documents required by paragraph (i) and (y)
instructions in accordance with the Depositary's and the Registrar's
procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the
date and a decrease in the principal amount at maturity of the U.S.
Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount at maturity of
the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be transferred, and
(B) if the
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proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon receipt by the Registrar
of instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and an increase in the principal amount at maturity
of the Offshore Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount
at maturity of the U.S. Physical Notes or the U.S. Global Note, as the
case may be, to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the
Physical Note, if any, so transferred or decrease the amount of the
U.S. Global Note.
(f) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or
replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement
Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the
Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear
the Private Placement Legend unless either (i) the circumstances
contemplated by paragraphs (a)(i)(x) or (e)(ii) of this Section 2.08 exist
or (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the effect that
neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required
in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.
(g) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions
on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private
Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as
provided in this Indenture. The Registrar shall not register a transfer of
any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of
such Note set forth in this Indenture. In connection with any transfer of
Notes, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the
Registrar or the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other
information as either of them may reasonably require to confirm that such
transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not
subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act; provided
that the Registrar shall not be required to determine (but may rely on a
determination made by the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any
such certifications, legal opinions or other information.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other
written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.
The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters,
notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving
of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered
to the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding; provided that the requirements of the second
paragraph of Section 2.10 are met. If required by the Trustee or the
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Company, an indemnity bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment
of both the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any
Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The
Company may charge such Holder for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee
in replacing a Note. In case any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully
taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its
discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement
thereof.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are
all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled
by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this
Section 2.10 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be
outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof
satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable on
that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and
interest on them shall cease to accrue.
A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of
its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however, that, in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee knows to be
so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the
Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for
delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary
Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes
but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations
determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Notes, as
evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes. If temporary Notes are
issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without
unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary
Notes shall be exchangeable for
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definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency
of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without
charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Notes, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of
authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver to the
Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered
hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar and the
Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for
transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered
for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall destroy them in
accordance with its normal procedure. The Company may not issue new Notes to
replace Notes it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use
"CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use
CUSIP numbers or CINS numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice shall 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 or exchange and
that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on
the Notes.
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment
of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent
money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest,
plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to
the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. A special
record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any
defaulted interest, shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the
Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a
Business Day. At least 15 days before the subsequent special record date, the
Company shall mail to each Holder and to the Trustee a notice that states the
subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted
interest to be paid.
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Right of Redemption. The Notes will be redeemable, at
the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on
or after March 15, 2003 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' prior notice mailed by
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first class mail to each Holder's last address as it appears in the Security
Register, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of
principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption
Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record
Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an
Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing March
15 of the years set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption
Year Price
---- ----------
<S> <C>
2003 104.575%
2004 103.050
2005 101.525
2006 and thereafter 100.000
</TABLE>
In addition, at any time prior to March 15, 2001, the Company may
redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one
or more sales by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock), at any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 109.15%, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of
record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date
to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that at least
$130 million aggregate principal amount of Notes remains outstanding after each
such redemption and that notice of such redemption is mailed within 60 days
after the consummation of such sale or sales.
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem
Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02
in an Officers' Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless
a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of
the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to
be redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as certified to it by the
Company, of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the
Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a national securities
exchange, on a pro rata basis by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in
its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes of
$1,000 in principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.
The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and
not previously called for redemption. Notes in denominations of $1,000 in
principal amount may
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only be redeemed in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal
to $1,000 in principal amount or any integral multiple thereof) of Notes that
have denominations larger than $1,000 in principal amount. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of
Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the
Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called for
redemption.
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption. With respect to any redemption of
Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first
class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the
Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;
(v) unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment,
interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive
payment of the Redemption Price plus accrued interest to the Redemption
Date upon surrender of the Notes to the Paying Agent;
(vi) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
principal amount (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any integral
multiple thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and after the
Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be reissued;
and
(vii) that, if any Note contains a CUSIP number as provided in
Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the
CUSIP number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the notice
of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Notes.
At the Company's request (which request may be revoked by the Company
at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice
to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 45 days (or such
shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before a Redemption
Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name and at the
expense of the Company. If, however, the Company gives such notice to the
Holders,
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the Company shall concurrently deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
stating that such notice has been given.
SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the
Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender of any Notes to the
Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed, whether
or not the Holder receives the notice. In any event, failure to give such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings
for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was properly
given.
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any
Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the
Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as
provided in Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and
accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or
portions thereof called for redemption on that date that have been delivered by
the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. If notice of
redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or portion of
Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and payable on
the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together with
accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price and
accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in which case the principal, until
paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the
Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue interest. Upon surrender of any Note
for redemption in accordance with a notice of redemption, such Note shall be
paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to
the Holders registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular
Record Date.
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of any Note that
is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to
the unredeemed portion of such surrendered Note.
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ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall pay the principal
of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner
provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or
Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any
Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date money designated for and sufficient
to pay the installment. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any
Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, an installment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the due date if the
entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the last sentence of Section 2.05.
As provided in Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization procedure
relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent, if any,
for the Notes.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any,
and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the
rate per annum specified in the Notes.
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or agency
where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for
presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 Company 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 address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02.
The Company 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 the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in
the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the corporate trust office of
the Trustee at 50 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10004, as such office of the Company
in accordance with Section 2.04.
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SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any
Indebtedness (other than the Notes and Indebtedness existing on the Closing
Date); provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur
Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and
the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Interest Coverage
Ratio would be greater than (x) 1.50:1, for Indebtedness Incurred on or prior to
December 31, 1998, (y) 1.75:1, for Indebtedness Incurred after December 31, 1998
and on or prior to December 31, 1999 and (z) 2.00:1, for Indebtedness Incurred
thereafter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:
(i) Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $800 million, less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as
provided under Section 4.10; (ii) Indebtedness owed (A) by a Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company; provided that if such Indebtedness exceeds $500,000
it shall be evidenced by a promissory note or (B) by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any event which results
in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any
subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an
Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ii); (iii)
Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to
refinance or refund, then outstanding Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness
Incurred under clause (i), (ii), (iv), (vi), (vii), (viii) or (ix) of this
paragraph) and any refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so
refinanced or refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses);
provided that Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund
the Notes or Indebtedness that is pari passu with, or subordinated in right of
payment to, the Notes shall only be permitted under this clause (iii) if (A) in
case the Notes are refinanced in part or the Indebtedness to be refinanced is
pari passu with the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms
of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is
outstanding, is expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in right of
payment to, the remaining Notes, (B) in case the Indebtedness to be refinanced
is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its
terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new
Indebtedness is issued or remains outstanding, is expressly made subordinate in
right of payment to the Notes at least to the extent that the Indebtedness to be
refinanced is subordinated to the Notes and (C) such new Indebtedness,
determined as of the date of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness, does not
mature prior to the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or
refunded, and the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the
remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded; and
provided further that in no event may Indebtedness of the Company that is pari
passu with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes be refinanced by
means of any Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause
(iii); (iv) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance, surety or appeal bonds
provided in the ordinary course of business, (B) under Currency Agreements and
Interest Rate Agreements; provided that such agreements (a) are
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designed solely to protect the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not
increase the Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a
result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or
by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder and (C)
arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase
price or similar obligations, or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety
bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or
any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of
financing such acquisition), in a principal amount not to exceed the gross
proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with such disposition; (v) Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent
the net proceeds thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase Notes tendered in an
Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change in Control or (B) deposited to
defease the Notes as described in Section 8.03; (vi) Guarantees of the Notes and
Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary provided
the Guarantee of such Indebtedness is permitted by and made in accordance with
Section 4.07; (vii) Indebtedness Incurred to finance Extended Stay Assets or to
refinance such Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one
time outstanding (A) the Net Cash Proceeds, or the fair market value of property
other than cash, received by the Company after the Closing Date from the
issuance and sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock),
including an Incurrence (permitted by this Indenture) of Indebtedness of the
Company upon conversion of such Indebtedness into Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company, to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the
Company, to the extent such sale of Capital Stock has not been used pursuant to
clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph, or clause (iii), (iv) or (vi) of the
second paragraph, of Section 4.04 to make a Restricted Payment, less (B) the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (viii) below; (viii)
Indebtedness Incurred prior to December 31, 1999 to finance Extended Stay Assets
or to refinance such Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150
million at any one time outstanding; provided that after giving pro forma effect
to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company's Indebtedness to
Capitalization Ratio would be less than 60%; and (ix) Indebtedness, in addition
to Indebtedness permitted under clauses (i) through (viii) above, in an
aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $15 million
less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as provided under
Section 4.10.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may
Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with
respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, due solely to the result of
fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
under this Section 4.03, (1) Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement on
or prior to the
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Closing Date shall be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the second
paragraph of this Section 4.03(a), (2) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with
respect to letters of credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the
determination of such particular amount shall not be included and (3) any Liens
granted pursuant to the equal and ratable provisions referred to in Section 4.09
shall not be treated as Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance
with this Section 4.03, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the
criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the above
clauses (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1) of the preceding
sentence), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and from time to
time may reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and only be required to include
the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company will not,
and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to its
Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in
shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options,
warrants or other rights to acquire shares of such Capital Stock and (y) pro
rata dividends or distributions on Common Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held
by minority stockholders) held by Persons other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for
value any shares of Capital Stock of (A) the Company or an Unrestricted
Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares
of Capital Stock) held by any Person or (B) a Restricted Subsidiary (including
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock) held
by any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary) or any holder (or any Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of the
Capital Stock of the Company, (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal
payment, or voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other
acquisition or retirement for value, of Indebtedness of the Company that is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or (iv) make any Investment, other
than a Permitted Investment, in any Person (such payments or any other actions
described in clauses (i) through (iv) being collectively "Restricted Payments")
if, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed Restricted Payment:
(A) a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) the
Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness under the first paragraph
of Section 4.03(a) or (C) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments (the
amount, if other than in cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board
Resolution) made after the Closing Date shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the
aggregate amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income is a loss, minus 100% of the amount of such loss)
(determined by excluding income resulting from transfers of assets by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a
cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on
the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the Closing Date and
ending on the last day of the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date
for which reports have been filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee
pursuant to Section 4.17 plus (2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds
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received by the Company after the Closing Date from the issuance and sale
permitted by this Indenture of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company, including an issuance or
sale permitted by this Indenture of Indebtedness of the Company for cash
subsequent to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness into
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from the
issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of any options,
warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company (in each case,
exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any options, warrants or other rights
that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or are required to be redeemed,
prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes), in each case except to the extent
such Net Cash Proceeds are used to Incur Indebtedness outstanding under clause
(vii) of Section 4.03(a), plus (3) an amount equal to the net reduction in
Investments (other than reductions in Permitted Investments) in any Person
resulting from payments of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, repayments of
loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary or from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any
such Investment (except, in each case, to the extent any such payment or
proceeds are included in the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income),
or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries
(valued in each case as provided in the definition of "Investments"), not to
exceed, in each case, the amount of Investments previously made by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of: (i) the
payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if,
at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the foregoing
paragraph; (ii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the
proceeds of, or in exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under clause (iii) of the
second paragraph of part (a) of Section 4.03; (iii) the repurchase, redemption
or other acquisition of Capital Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted
Subsidiary (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock)
in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering
of, shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock); (iv) the
making of any principal payment or the repurchase, redemption, retirement,
defeasance or other acquisition for value of Indebtedness of the Company which
is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes in exchange for, or out of the
proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of the Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants or other
rights to acquire such Capital Stock); (v) payments or distributions to
dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection
with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with Article
Five; (vi) Investments acquired in exchange for Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company; or (vii) Restricted Payments in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $50 million; provided that, except in the case of clauses
(i) and (iii), no Default or Event of Default
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shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence of the actions
or payments set forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding paragraph
(other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clause (ii) or (vii) thereof,
an exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness referred to in
clause (iii) or (iv) thereof and an Investment referred to in clause (vi)
thereof), and the Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of Capital Stock referred
to in clauses (iii) and (iv), shall be included in calculating whether the
conditions of clause (C) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04 have been
met with respect to any subsequent Restricted Payments. In the event the
proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the Company are used for the
redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness that
is pari passu with the Notes, then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall
be included in clause (C) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04 only to
the extent such proceeds are not used for such redemption, repurchase or other
acquisition of Indebtedness.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability
of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions permitted by applicable law on any Capital Stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary owned by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,
(ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary, (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances or
restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date in the Credit Agreement, this
Indenture or any other agreements in effect on the Closing Date, and any
modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals, substitutions or replacements
of such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such
modifications, extensions, refinancings, renewals, substitutions or replacements
are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders than those
encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being
modified, extended, refinanced, renewed, substituted or replaced; (ii) existing
under or by reason of applicable law; (iii) existing with respect to any Person
or the property or assets of such Person acquired by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition and not incurred
in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable
to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or
the property or assets of such Person so acquired; (iv) in the case of clause
(iv) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.05, (A) that restrict in a
customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset
that is a lease, license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset,
(B) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or
right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture or (C) arising
or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any
Indebtedness,
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and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner
material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (v) with respect to a
Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered
into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital
Stock of, or property and assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary; or (vi)
contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to which
such Indebtedness was issued if (A) the encumbrance or restriction applies only
in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial
covenant contained in such Indebtedness or agreement, (B) the encumbrance or
restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes
than is customary in comparable financings (as determined by the Company) and
(C) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not
materially affect the Company's ability to make principal or interest payments
on the Notes. Nothing contained in this Section 4.05 shall prevent the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering
to exist any Liens otherwise permitted in Section 4.09 or (2) restricting the
sale or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not sell, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell, any shares of
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other
rights to purchase shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Company or a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) issuances of director's qualifying
shares or sales to foreign nationals of shares of Capital Stock of foreign
Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent required by applicable law; (iii) if,
immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted
Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment
in such Person remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have
been permitted to be made under Section 4.04 if made on the date of such
issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of Common Stock of a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the
Net Cash Proceeds, if any, of any such sale in accordance with clause (A) or (B)
of Section 4.10.
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu
with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes ("Guaranteed
Indebtedness"), unless (i) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes
and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a
Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of the Notes by such Restricted
Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner
whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of any rights of
reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted
Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this paragraph shall
not be
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applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the
time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not Incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted
Subsidiary. If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is (A) pari passu with the Notes,
then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be pari passu with, or
subordinated to, the Subsidiary Guarantee or (B) subordinated to the Notes, then
the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the
Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is
subordinated to the Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a
Restricted Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically
and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or
transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's
and each Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all
the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is
not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the
Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a
discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and
Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any transaction
(including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of
property or assets, or the rendering of any service) with any holder (or any
Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the
Company or with any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
except upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained, at the time of such transaction
or, if such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at the time of the
execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i)
transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors or (B) for which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
delivers to the Trustee a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm stating that the transaction is fair to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; (ii) any transaction
solely between the Company and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
or solely between Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of
reasonable and customary fees and expenses to directors of the Company who are
not employees of the Company; (iv) any payments or other transactions pursuant
to any tax-sharing agreement between the Company and any other Person with which
the Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the Company is part of
a consolidated group for tax purposes; or (v) any Restricted Payments not
prohibited by Section 4.04. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or
series of related transactions covered by the first paragraph of this Section
4.08 and not covered by clauses (ii) through (v) of this paragraph, (a) the
aggregate amount of which exceeds $5 million in value, must be approved or
determined to be fair in the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above
and (b) the
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aggregate amount of which exceeds $10 million in value, must be determined to be
fair in the manner provided for in clause (i)(B) of this second paragraph of
Section 4.08.
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not Incur any
Indebtedness secured by a Lien ("Secured Indebtedness") which is not Senior
Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to
secure the Notes equally and ratably with (or, if the Secured Indebtedness is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, prior to) such Secured
Indebtedness for so long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company will not, and
will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless
(i) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is
at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or disposed of and
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration received consists of cash or Temporary
Cash Investments or the assumption of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is irrevocably released from all liability under such
Indebtedness. In the event and to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset
Sales occurring on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12 consecutive
months exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined as of
the date closest to the commencement of such 12-month period for which a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.17), then
the Company shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted Subsidiary to (i)
within twelve months after the date Net Cash Proceeds so received exceed 10% of
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A) apply an amount equal to such
excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently repay Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant
to Section 4.07 or Indebtedness of any other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case
owing to a Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or (B) invest an equal amount, or the amount not so applied pursuant to clause
(A) (or enter into a definitive agreement committing to so invest within 12
months after the date of such agreement), in property or assets (other than
current assets) of a nature or type or that are used in a business (or in a
company having property and assets of a nature or type, or engaged in a
business) similar or related to the nature or type of the property and assets
of, or the business of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on
the date of such investment and (ii) apply (no later than the end of the 12-
month period referred to in clause (i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the
extent not applied pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following
paragraph of this Section 4.10. The amount of such excess Net Cash Proceeds
required to be applied (or to be committed to be applied) during such 12-month
period as set forth in clause (i) of the preceding sentence and not applied as
so required by the end of such period shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this
Section 4.10 totals at
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least $10 million, the Company must commence, not later than the fifteenth
Business Day of such month, and consummate an Offer to Purchase from the Holders
on a pro rata basis an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to the Excess
Proceeds on such date, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount
of the Notes, plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.
SECTION 4.11. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control. The
Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control,
and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a
purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
interest (if any) to the Payment Date. The Company will not be required to make
an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this Section 4.11 if a third party makes an
Offer to Purchase in compliance with this Section 4.11 and repurchases all Notes
validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase.
SECTION 4.12. Existence. Subject to Articles Four and Five of this
Indenture, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of
each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective
organizational documents of the Company and each such Subsidiary and the rights
(whether pursuant to charter, partnership certificate, agreement, statute or
otherwise), material licenses and franchises of the Company and each such
Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such
right, license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if
the maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
SECTION 4.13. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay
or discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent (i) all
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon (a)
the Company or any such Subsidiary, (b) the income or profits of any such
Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or
any such Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge
or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
established.
SECTION 4.14. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance. The Company
will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the
business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in
this Section 4.14
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shall prevent the Company or any such Subsidiary from discontinuing the use,
operation or maintenance of any of such properties or disposing of any of them,
if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable
in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary.
The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance)
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations
similarly situated and owning like properties, including, but not limited to,
products liability insurance and public liability insurance, with reputable
insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency or
instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such
methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the
industry in which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
is then conducting business.
SECTION 4.15. Notice of Defaults. In the event that the Company
becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default the Company, promptly after it
becomes aware thereof, will give written notice thereof to the Trustee.
SECTION 4.16. Compliance Certificates. (a) The Company shall deliver
to the Trustee, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (105 days
after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), an Officers' Certificate
stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that
occurred during such fiscal quarter. In the case of the Officers' Certificate
delivered within 105 days of the end of the Company's fiscal year, such
certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer that a review has
been conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
and the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' performance under this
Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants
under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 4.16, such compliance shall
be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided under this Indenture. If they do know of such a Default or Event of
Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and
its status. The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this Section
4.16(a) shall be for the first fiscal quarter beginning after the execution of
this Indenture.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 105 days after
the end of the Company's fiscal year, a certificate signed by the Company's
independent certified public accountants stating (i) that their audit
examination has included a review of the terms of this Indenture and the Notes
as they relate to accounting matters, (ii) that they have read the most recent
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
Section 4.16 and (iii) whether, in connection with their audit examination,
anything came to their attention that caused them to believe that the Company
was not in compliance with any of the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions
of Article Four and Section 5.01 of this Indenture as they pertain to accounting
matters and, if any Default or Event of Default has come to their attention,
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specifying the nature and period of existence thereof; provided that such
independent certified public accountants shall not be liable in respect of such
statement by reason of any failure to obtain knowledge of any such Default or
Event of Default that would not be disclosed in the course of an audit
examination conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
in effect at the date of such examination.
SECTION 4.17. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders. Whether or
not the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, for so long as
any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall file with the Commission all such
reports and other information as it would be required to file with the
Commission by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it were subject
thereto; provided that, if filing such documents by the Company with the
Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide
such documents to the Trustee and upon written request supply copies of such
documents to any prospective Holder. The Company shall supply the Trustee and
each Holder or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to each such Holder,
without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information. The
Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
SECTION 4.18. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law
that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein,
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit
the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
SECTION 4.19. Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. The
Company will not Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment
to any Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is pari passu with, or
subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes; provided that the foregoing
limitation shall not apply to distinctions between categories of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company that exist by reason of any Liens or Guarantees
arising or created in respect of some but not all of such Senior Indebtedness.
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company will not
consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or
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substantially all of its property and assets (as an entirety or substantially an
entirety in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to, any Person
or permit any Person to merge with or into the Company unless:
(i) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets of
the Company shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the
laws of the United States of America or any state or jurisdiction thereof
and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company on all of
the Notes and under this Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro
forma basis, the Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor of
the Notes shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or greater than the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro
forma basis the Company, or any Person becoming the successor obligor of
the Notes, as the case may be, could Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
under the first paragraph of Section 4.03(a); provided that this clause
(iv) shall not apply to a consolidation, merger or sale of all (but not
less than all) of the assets of the Company if all Liens and Indebtedness
of the Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor of the Notes,
as the case may be, and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding immediately
after such transaction would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted
to be Incurred (and all such Liens and Indebtedness, other than Liens and
Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding
immediately prior to the transaction, shall be deemed to have been
Incurred) for all purposes of this Indenture; and
(v) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
(attaching the arithmetic computations to demonstrate compliance with
clauses (iii) and (iv)) and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture
complies with this provision and that all conditions precedent provided for
herein relating to such transaction have been complied with;
provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not apply if, in the
good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose of
such transaction is to change the state of
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incorporation of the Company and that any such transaction shall not have as one
of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations.
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or
merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with
Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named
as the Company herein; provided that the Company shall not be released from its
obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes in
the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its property and assets.
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An "Event of Default" shall occur
with respect to the Notes if:
(a) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable at
maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise, whether or not such
payment is prohibited by Article Ten;
(b) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Note when
the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period
of 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by Article Ten;
(c) the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches the
provisions of, Article Five or fails to make or consummate an Offer to
Purchase in accordance with Section 4.10 or 4.11;
(d) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other
covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or under the Notes
(other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) and such
default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after
written notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
(e) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding
principal amount of $15 million or more in the aggregate for all such
issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall
hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has caused the holder
thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its
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Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or
such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such
acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a principal payment at the
final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall
not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment
default;
(f) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the
payment of money in excess of $15 million in the aggregate for all such
final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be
rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be
paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days
following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate
amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or
discharged against all such Persons to exceed $15 million during which a
stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending
appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;
(g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or
order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment
of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or
similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding up or liquidation of the affairs
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree
or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive
days; or
(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a
voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for
relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any
general assignment for the benefit of creditors.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an
Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 that occurs with
respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes, then outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if
such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at the request of
such Holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable. Upon a declaration of
acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be
immediately due and payable; provided that any such
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declaration of acceleration shall not become effective until the earlier of (A)
five Business Days after receipt of the acceleration notice by the Bank Agent
and the Company or (B) acceleration of the Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement; provided further that such acceleration shall automatically be
rescinded and annulled without any further action required on the part of the
Holders in the event that any and all Events of Default specified in the
acceleration notice under this Indenture shall have been cured, waived or
otherwise remedied as provided in this Indenture prior to the expiration of the
period referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 6.02. In the event of
a declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause
(e) of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of
acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of
default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (e) of Section 6.01
shall be remedied or cured by the Company or the relevant Significant Subsidiary
or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the
declaration of acceleration with respect thereto. If an Event of Default
specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the
Company, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes
then outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration, but before a
judgment or decree for the payment of the money due has been obtained by the
Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may
waive all past Defaults and rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration
and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the non-
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes
that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured
or waived and (ii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree
of a court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or
in equity to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or 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.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.02,
6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or
Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this
Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding Note affected. 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
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such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default
or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided,
that the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or
this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the
Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction; and provided
further that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not
inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes pursuant to
this Section 6.05.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. A Holder may not institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Notes,
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless:
(i) the Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee to pursue
the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities or expenses to
be incurred in compliance with such request;
(iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
and offer of indemnity has failed to comply with such request; and
(v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a
direction that is inconsistent with such written request.
For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this Section 6.06,
the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any determination of
whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee to pursue any
remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to this Indenture or
the Notes or otherwise under the law.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.
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The limitations set forth in this Section 6.06 shall not apply to the
right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any
such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, which right shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to
receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Holder's
Note on or after the respective due dates expressed on such Note, 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 in
payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a), (b) (c) or
(d) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment
in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any
other obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any,
and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue
principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is
lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate
specified in the Notes, 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. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to
the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property
and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies,
securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange
of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any
custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other
similar official 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 agent and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to empower 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 thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.
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SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant
to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;
Second: to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, as and to the extent
required by Article Ten;
Third: to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference
or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such
Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Fourth: to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as their
interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a
record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section
6.10.
SECTION 6.11. 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 Trustee, a court may require any party
litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and
the court 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 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 of this Indenture, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes.
SECTION 6.12. 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 proceeding, the
Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no
such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise
provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or wrongfully taken Notes in Section 2.09, 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
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remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or
otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of
the Trustee or of any Holder 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 Six 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.
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities of the
Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability 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 adequate indemnity against such risk
or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly
so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Article Seven.
SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to TIA Sections
315(a) through (d):
(i) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
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;
(ii) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to
Section 11.04. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion;
(iii) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall
not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed
with due care;
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(iv) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;
(v) 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 its
rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance
with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture; provided that
the Trustee's conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith;
(vi) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a making be proved or established prior to
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate; and
(vii) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
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 Company
personally or by agent or attorney.
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 Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it
would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights. However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee (i) makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes,
(ii) shall not be accountable for the Company's use or application of the
proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not be responsible for any statement in
the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default. If any Default or any Event of
Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder in the manner and to
the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of
Default within 45 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of
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Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default
in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note,
the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the
board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after
each May 15, beginning with May 15, 1998, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder
as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15, if
required by TIA Section 313(a).
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to
the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing for its
services. The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on
compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the
Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless
against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by it without negligence or
bad faith on its part in connection with the acceptance or administration of
this Indenture and its duties under this Indenture and the Notes, including the
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability and of
complying with any process served upon it or any of its officers in connection
with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under this
Indenture and the Notes.
To secure the Company's payment obligations 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, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property
held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on particular
Notes.
If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section
6.01, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to
constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of
debtors.
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 at any time by so notifying the Company in
writing at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove
the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor
Trustee with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee is
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adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer
takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) 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 Company or, after the occurrence and
continuation of an Event of Default, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Notes outstanding, 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 outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to
replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor
Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance required by the next succeeding
paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns
or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after the
delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section
7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee
to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all
the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor
Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.
If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10, any Holder
who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of
the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders. Each
notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its
Corporate Trust Office.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national
banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with
the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee
herein.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have a
Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee
shall have a combined capital
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and surplus of at least $25 million as set forth in its most recent published
annual report of condition.
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable
for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with
the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in
trust under Article Eight of this Indenture.
SECTION 7.12. Withholding Taxes. The Trustee, as agent for the
Company, shall exclude and withhold from each payment of principal and interest
and other amounts due hereunder or under the Notes any and all withholding taxes
applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to act as such
withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any present or future
taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts
payable in respect of the Notes, to withhold such amounts and timely pay the
same to the appropriate authority in the name of and on behalf of the holders of
the Notes, that it will file any necessary withholding tax returns or statements
when due, and that, as promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will
deliver to each Holder of a Note appropriate documentation showing the payment
thereof, together with such additional documentary evidence as such Holders may
reasonably request from time to time.
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations. Except as
otherwise provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its
obligations under the Notes and this Indenture if:
(i) all Notes previously authenticated and delivered (other than
destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes that are
paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose payment money or
securities have theretofore been held in trust and thereafter repaid to the
Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder;
or
(ii) (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them are to be
called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to
the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B) the Company
irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such one-year period,
under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely for the benefit of the
Holders for that purpose, money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient
(in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee), without consideration of any reinvestment of any interest
thereon, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the
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Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other
sums payable by it hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with
respect to the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of
such deposit, (D) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and (E)
the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent
provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture have been complied with.
With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company's obligations
under Section 7.07 shall survive. With respect to the foregoing clause (ii),
the Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and Article Ten (with
respect to payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than
with the assets held in trust as described in the foregoing clause (ii)) shall
survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the
Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. After any
such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing
the discharge of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture
except for those surviving obligations specified above.
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The Company
will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations
in respect of the Notes on the 123rd day after the date of the deposit referred
to in clause (A) of this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will
no longer be in effect with respect to the Notes, and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same,
except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (ii)
substitution of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes,
(iii) rights of Holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest
thereon, (iv) the Company's obligations under Section 4.02, (v) the rights,
obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (vi) the rights of the
Holders as beneficiaries of this Indenture with respect to the property so
deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; provided that the
following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(A) with reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or
another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 of this
Indenture) and conveyed all right, title and interest for the benefit of
the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically
pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the
Notes, and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders, in and to (1)
money in an amount, (2) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the
payment of interest, premium, if any, and principal in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before
the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (A), money in an
amount
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or (3) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
discharge, without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and
after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and
assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest on the outstanding Notes at the
Stated Maturity of such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee
shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds
of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal,
premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes;
(B) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and is
permitted by Article Ten;
(C) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma
basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day
after such date of deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach
or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(D) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (1) either (x) a
ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service
to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of its
option under this Section 8.02 and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such option had not been exercised or (y) an Opinion of
Counsel to the same effect as the ruling described in clause (x) above
accompanied by a ruling to that effect published by the Internal Revenue
Service, unless there has been a change in the applicable federal income
tax law since the date of this Indenture such that a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service is no longer required and (2) an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that (x) the creation of the defeasance trust does
not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and (y) after the passage of
123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for
the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an "insider" for purposes
of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the
deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547
of the United States Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor
and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either
such statute, and either (I) the trust funds will no longer remain the
property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally) or (II) if a court were to rule
under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained
property of the Company, (a) assuming such trust funds remained in the
possession of the
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Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders,
the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and
perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in
bankruptcy or otherwise except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the
United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after
the commencement of a case under such statute and (b) the Holders will be
entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust
funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding;
(E) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge will not cause the
Notes to be delisted; and
(F) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions
precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by
this Section 8.02 have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day (or one
year) period referred to in clause (D)(2)(y) of this Section 8.02, none of the
Company's obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged. Subsequent to
the end of such 123-day (or one year) period with respect to this Section 8.02,
the Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and Article Ten (with respect
to payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than with the
assets held in trust as described in this Section 8.02) shall survive until the
Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company's obligations in
Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. If and when a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service or an Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (D)(1)
of this Section 8.02 is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and
not in reliance upon, the continuance of the Company's obligations under Section
4.01, then the Company's obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon
delivery to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with
the other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02.
After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall
acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under the
Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the
immediately preceding paragraph.
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may
omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in clauses (iii)
and (iv) of Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through 4.17, and clause (c) of
Section 6.01 with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01 and Sections
4.03 through 4.17, and clauses (d), (e) and (f) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed
not to be Events of Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Notes
if:
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(i) with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or
another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10) and conveyed
all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the
Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically
pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the
Notes, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders, in and to (A)
money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of
any payment referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a
combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge,
without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after
payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and
assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated
Maturity of such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee shall
have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of
such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium,
if any, and interest with respect to the Notes;
(ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and is
permitted by Article Ten;
(iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate
the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) the Holders have a valid first
priority security interest in the trust funds, (C) the Holders will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject
to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
not occurred and (D) after the passage of 123 days following the deposit
(except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder who
may be deemed to be an "insider" for purposes of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds
will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a
case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute, and
either (1) the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the
Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
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creditors' rights generally) or (2) if a court were to rule under any such
law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the
Company, (x) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the
Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders,
the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and
perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in
bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the
United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after
the commencement of a case under such statute), (y) the Holders will be
entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust
funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding and (z) no
property, rights in property or other interests granted to the Trustee or
the Holders in exchange for, or with respect to, such trust funds will be
subject to any prior rights of holders of other Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries;
(v) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge will not cause the
Notes to be delisted; and
(vi) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions
precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by
this Section 8.03 have been complied with.
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money. Subject to Section 8.06,
the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the
case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company. Subject to Sections 7.07, 8.01,
8.02 and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the
Company upon request set forth in an Officers' Certificate any excess money held
by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with
respect to such money. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the
Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that
the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any payment may
cause to be published at the expense of the Company once in a newspaper of
general circulation in The City of New York or mail to each Holder entitled to
such money at such Holder's address (as set forth in the Security Register)
notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein
(which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing)
any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the
Company. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look
to the Company for payment as general creditors
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unless an applicable law designates another Person, and all liability of the
Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with
Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, 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
Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or
8.03, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is
permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance
with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the
Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be
subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment
from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying
Agent.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, when
authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may amend
or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of
any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;
provided that such amendments or supplements shall not adversely affect the
interests of the Holders in any material respect;
(2) to comply with Article Five;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection
with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee; or
(5) to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect
the rights of any Holder.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections 6.04 and
6.07 and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when authorized by
its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may
amend this Indenture and the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by
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written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with
any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the
consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of interest on, any Note;
(ii) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest
on, any Note;
(iii) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or
premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of a redemption,
on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note;
(v) reduce the percentage of outstanding Notes the consent of whose
Holders is necessary to modify or amend this Indenture;
(vi) waive a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on the Notes;
(vii) modify any of the provisions of Article Ten in a manner adverse
to the Holders; or
(viii) reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver of
compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or for waiver of
certain defaults.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment,
supplement 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 Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company will
mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the
Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any
way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an amendment
or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent
by the Holder and
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every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same
debt as the Note of the consenting Holder, even if notation of the consent is
not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke
the consent as to its Note or portion of its Note. Such revocation shall be
effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date
the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement
or waiver shall become effective on receipt by the Trustee of written consents
from the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes.
The Company 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 last
two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those
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 90 days after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (i)
through (v) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type
described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver
shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a
Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment,
supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the
Holder to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the
Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter authenticated.
Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in
exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note
that reflects the changed terms.
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such
amendment, supplement or waiver if the same does not adversely affect the rights
of the Trustee. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any
such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee's own rights,
duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
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SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every
supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to
the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.
ARTICLE TEN
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
SECTION 10.01. Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. The
Company and the Trustee each covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its
acceptance of a Note, likewise covenants and agrees that all Notes shall be
issued subject to the provisions of this Article Ten; and each Person holding
any Note, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange
thereof, accepts and agrees that Senior Subordinated Obligations shall, to the
extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Ten, be subordinated in right
of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the
Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement (including any interest
accruing subsequent to an event specified in Sections 6.01(g) and 6.01(h) of
this Indenture, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim enforceable
against the debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code).
SECTION 10.02. No Payment on Notes in Certain Circumstances. (a) No
direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of Senior Subordinated
Obligations (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any
defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether
pursuant to the terms of the Notes or upon acceleration or otherwise shall be
made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of
all or any portion of the obligations on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this
sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect
to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may
be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee
or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness
(or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated
Senior Indebtedness then outstanding), no payment of Senior Subordinated
Obligations (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any
defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by
or on behalf of the Company upon or in respect of the Notes for a period (a
"Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and
ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period
shall be terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or
other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash
equivalents of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or such event of default has
been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced with respect to the Notes during any period of 360 consecutive days.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there
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must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage
Period is in effect. No event of default (other than an event of default
pursuant to the financial maintenance covenants under the Credit Agreement) that
existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that
would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an
event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new
event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any
Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness
initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis
for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period by the representative
for, or the holders of, such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not
within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have
been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited
by Section 10.02(a) or 10.02(b) of this Indenture, the Trustee shall promptly
notify the holders of Senior Indebtedness of such prohibited payment and such
payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or
delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, but only to the extent that, upon notice from the Trustee
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness that such prohibited payment has been
made, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives of a trustee) within 30 days of receipt of such notice from the
Trustee notify the Trustee of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior
Indebtedness, if any, and only the amounts specified in such notice to the
Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and any excess above
such amounts due and owing on Senior Indebtedness shall be paid to the Company.
SECTION 10.03. Payment over Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc. (a)
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any
kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the
money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in
accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding
up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other
proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all
amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness (including any
interest accruing subsequent to an event specified in Sections 6.01(g) and
6.01(h) of this Indenture, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim
enforceable against the debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code) shall
first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the
Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on
behalf of) the Company on account of Senior Subordinated Obligations, or any
payment to acquire any of the Notes for cash, property or securities, or any
distribution with respect to the Notes of any cash, property or securities.
Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, the Company on any Senior
Subordinated Obligations (other
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than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust
established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or
distribution of assets or securities for the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on
their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Ten,
shall be made by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or
distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it,
directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the
basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or
their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any other indenture
pursuant to which any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior
Indebtedness in full, in cash or cash equivalents after giving effect to any
concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness.
(b) To the extent any payment of Senior Indebtedness (whether by or on
behalf of the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of
setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or
required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or
paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other
similar Person, the Senior Indebtedness or part thereof originally intended to
be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment
had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Senior Indebtedness
is declared to be fraudulent, invalid, or otherwise set aside under any
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then
the obligation so declared fraudulent, invalid or otherwise set aside (and all
other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not
been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Senior
Indebtedness for all purposes hereof as if such declaration, invalidity or
setting aside had not occurred.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision
prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets
or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when
such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 10.03(a) of this Indenture
and before all obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full,
in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and
held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of such
respective amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests appear, for application to the payment of Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, in
cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment,
distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
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(d) For purposes of this Section 10.03, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause
is not to cause the Notes to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar
event described in this Section 10.03 as part of the same class of claims as the
Senior Indebtedness or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the
Senior Indebtedness for any payment or distribution, securities of the Company
or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or
readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Notes are
subordinated, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding;
provided that (1) if a new corporation results from such reorganization or
readjustment, such corporation assumes the Senior Indebtedness and (2) the
rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of
such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation
of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or into, another
corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
its property and assets to another corporation upon the terms and conditions
provided in Article Five of this Indenture (including in connection with the
Acquisition) shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization for the purposes of this Section 10.03 if such other corporation
shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer,
lease or other disposition, comply (to the extent required) with the conditions
stated in Article Five of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.04. Subrogation. (a) Upon the payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company made on such Senior
Indebtedness until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or
distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or
securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled
except for the provisions of this Article Ten, and no payment pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Ten to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders
or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders, be deemed to be a
payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is
understood that the provisions of this Article Ten are intended solely for the
purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would
otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Ten shall
have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten, to the
payment of all amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness, then, and in such
case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior
Indebtedness in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash
or cash equivalents, of such Senior Indebtedness of such holders.
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SECTION 10.05. Obligations of Company Unconditional. (a) Nothing
contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is
intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the Holders, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
Holders the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when
the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is
intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of
the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf
from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Ten of
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Article Ten will restrict the right of the Trustee or the
Holders to take any action to declare the Notes to be due and payable prior to
their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Indenture or to pursue
any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior
Indebtedness then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable
shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or
the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the
Company of Senior Subordinated Obligations.
SECTION 10.06. Notice to Trustee. (a) The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would
prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes
pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten. The Trustee shall not be charged
with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts that would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall
have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect
signed by an Officer of the Company, or by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or
trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice,
the Trustee shall, subject to Article Seven, be entitled to assume that no such
facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section 10.06 at least two Business Days prior to the date
upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for
any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Note), then, notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any
monies from the Company and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were
received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be
received by it on or after such prior date except for an acceleration of the
Notes prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 10.06 shall
limit the right of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to recover payments as
contemplated by this Article Ten. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying
Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to
it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder
of any Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative
of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of
such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such
holder.
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(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any
evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article Ten, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate
in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of
such Person under this Article Ten and, if such evidence is not furnished to the
Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
SECTION 10.07. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of
Liquidating Agent. Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities
referred to in this Article Ten, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled
to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in
which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization
proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in
bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such
payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the
purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
Ten.
SECTION 10.08. Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness. (a) The
Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in
this Article Ten with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that may at any time be
held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any
other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive
the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article Ten, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except as provided in
Sections 10.02(c) and 10.03(c) of this Indenture) and shall not be liable to any
such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or
distribute to Holders of Notes or to the Company or to any other person cash,
property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be
entitled by virtue of this Article Ten or otherwise.
SECTION 10.09. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions
of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness. No right of any present or
future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as provided
in this Article Ten will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any
act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to
act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company
with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any
such
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holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Ten
are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 10.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination
of Notes. Each Holder by his acceptance of any Notes authorizes and expressly
directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Ten, and
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the
event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or
similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of the
Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Notes in the form
required in those proceedings. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or
proof in indebtedness in the form required in such proceeding at least 30 days
before the expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, each holder of
Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on
behalf of the Holders.
SECTION 10.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default. The failure to make a
payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes by
reason of any provision of this Article Ten will not be construed as preventing
the occurrence of an Event of Default.
SECTION 10.12. Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced. Nothing in this
Article Ten will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections
of this Indenture, including Section 7.07.
SECTION 10.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions. Without in any
way limiting the generality of Section 10.09, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the
Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and
without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Ten or
the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of
payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness
or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior
Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise
deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior
Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of
Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights
against the Company and any other Person.
SECTION 10.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution. Nothing
contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (i)
the Company except under the conditions described in Section 10.02 or 10.03,
from making payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Notes, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (ii)
the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the
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purpose of making such payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on the Notes to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days
prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee
shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 10.02(b) of this
Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Notes prior to such
application) or in Section 10.06 of this Indenture. The Company shall give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation
or reorganization of the Company.
SECTION 10.15. Consent of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Under the
Credit Agreement. The provisions of this Article Ten (including the definitions
contained in this Article and references to this Article contained in this
Indenture) shall not be amended in a manner that would adversely affect the
rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, and no
such amendment shall become effective unless the holders of Senior Indebtedness
under the Credit Agreement shall have consented (in accordance with the
provisions of the Credit Agreement) to such amendment. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive and rely on an Officer's Certificate stating that such
consent has been given.
SECTION 10.16. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S.
Government Obligations held in trust under Article Eight by the Trustee for the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall not be
subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness (provided that, at
the time deposited, such deposit did not violate any then outstanding Senior
Indebtedness), and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such
amount to any holder of Senior Indebtedness.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate and be governed
by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern
indentures qualified under the TIA. After the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA that are
required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be
governed by such provisions.
SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first
class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
-----------------
Extended Stay America, Inc.
450 E. Las Olas Blvd.
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Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with copies to:
--------------
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
Three First National Plaza
70 West Madison Street, Suite 3300
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Attention: D. Mark McMillan
if to the Trustee:
-----------------
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor
Buffalo, New York 14203
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to him
at his address as it appears on the Security Register by first class mail and
shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to
the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
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. Except for a
notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received, and except as
otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in
the manner provided in this Section 11.02, it is duly given, whether or not the
addressee receives it.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice
may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
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SECTION 11.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action
under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the
signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 11.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating
thereto;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such
certificate or opinion is based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he 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
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided,
however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may
rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.
SECTION 11.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar. The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The
Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.
SECTION 11.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. If an
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess
Proceeds Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity of any Note shall not
be a Business Day, then payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
such Note, as the case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on
the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on
the Interest Payment Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess Proceeds
Payment Date, or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity
of such Note; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and
after such Interest
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Payment Date, Change of Control Payment Date, Excess Proceeds Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the case may be.
SECTION 11.07. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall
govern this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee, the Company and the Holders
agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in
any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the
Notes.
SECTION 11.08. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This
Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or
debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 11.09. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes,
or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse
under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in
this Indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any
Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator or
against any past, present or future partner, shareholder, other equityholder,
officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of
any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor
Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly
understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a
condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and
the issue of the Notes.
SECTION 11.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the
Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
SECTION 11.11. Duplicate 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 11.12. Separability. 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 11.13. 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 hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the
terms and provisions hereof.
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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
TRUST COMPANY
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
[FACE OF NOTE]
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
9.15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2008
[CUSIP] [CINS] [__________]
No. $_________
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company",
which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, promises to pay to [_____________], or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of [____________] ($[____]) on March 15, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates: March 15, and September 15, commencing
September 15, 1998.
Regular Record Dates: March 1 and September 1.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
<PAGE>
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
Date: [____________] EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
(Trustee's Certificate of Authentication)
This is one of the 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 described in the
within-mentioned Indenture.
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
By:
---------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
A-3
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
9.15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2008
1. Principal and Interest.
The Company will pay the principal of this Note on March 15, 2008.
The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this
Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at the rate per annum
shown above.
Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the
Notes at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 immediately
preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date, commencing
September 15, 1998.
If an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act is not
consummated, or a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act with
respect to resales of the Notes is not declared effective by the Commission, on
or before September 10, 1998 in accordance with the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement dated March 10, 1998 between the Company and Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., and Salomon Brothers Inc, the annual interest rate borne by
the Notes shall be permanently increased by 0.5% from the rate shown above
accruing from September 10, 1998, payable in cash semiannually, in arrears, on
each March 15 and September 15, commencing March 15, 1999. The Holder of this
Note is entitled to the benefits of such Registration Rights Agreement.
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 March 10, 1998;
provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and
this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face
hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from
such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at
a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise payable.
2. Method of Payment.
The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on the
principal amount of the Notes as provided above on each March 15 and September
15 to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register at the
close of business on such March 1 and
<PAGE>
A-4
September 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date), in each case, even
if the Note is cancelled on registration of transfer or registration of exchange
after such record date; provided that, with respect to the payment of principal,
the Company will make payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a
Paying Agent on or after March 15, 2008.
The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and as provided
above, interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is
legal tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the Company may
pay principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money.
It may mail an interest check to a Holder's registered address (as reflected in
the Security Register). If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at
a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent, Paying Agent
and Registrar. The Company may change any authenticating agent, Paying Agent or
Registrar without notice. The Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any
of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.
4. Indenture; Limitations.
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 10,
1998 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Capitalized terms herein are used as
defined in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated. 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. The Notes are subject to all such terms,
and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a
statement of all such terms. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the
event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the
Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are unsecured, general obligations of the Company. The
Indenture limits the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes to
$200,000,000.
5. Redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after March 15, 2003 and prior to maturity, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to
each Holder's last address as it appears in the Security Register, at the
following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of their principal
amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date
that is on or prior to the
<PAGE>
A-5
Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if
redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on March 15 of the applicable
year set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption
Year Price
---- -----------
<S> <C>
2003 104.575%
2004 103.050
2005 101.525
2006 and thereafter 100.000
</TABLE>
In addition, at any time prior to March 15, 2001, the Company may
redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one
or more sales by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock), at any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 109.15%, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of
record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date
to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that at least
$130 million aggregate principal amount of Notes remains outstanding after each
such redemption and that notice of such redemption is mailed within 60 days
after the consummation of such sale or sales.
Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in
part. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or
portions of Notes called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the Redemption Price.
6. Repurchase upon Change of Control.
Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have
the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant
to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (the "Payment Date").
A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30 days after
any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at his last address as it appears in
the Security Register. Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may
be sold to the Company in part. On and after the Payment Date, interest ceases
to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company,
unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price.
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 of principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder
may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any
<PAGE>
A-6
taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need
not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption.
Also, it need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of
15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed is made.
8. Persons Deemed Owners.
A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.
9. Unclaimed Money.
If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the
money back to the Company at its request. After that, Holders entitled to the
money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property law
designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying
Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
10. Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.
If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of, premium, if
any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a) to redemption or maturity, the
Company will be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes, except in certain
circumstances for certain sections thereof, and (b) to the Stated Maturity, the
Company will be discharged from certain covenants set forth in the Indenture.
11. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing default or
compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without
notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or
supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and make any change that does not materially
and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
12. Restrictive Covenants.
The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, to Incur additional
Indebtedness, make Restricted Payments, use the proceeds from Asset Sales,
engage in transactions with Affiliates or merge, consolidate or transfer
substantially all of its assets. Within 45 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter (105 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), the
Company must report to the Trustee on compliance with such limitations.
<PAGE>
A-7
13. Successor Persons.
When a successor person or other entity assumes all the obligations of
its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor person will
be released from those obligations.
14. Defaults and Remedies.
The following events constitute "Events of Default" under the
Indenture: (a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on)
any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions set forth in Article Ten; (b) default in the payment of
interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by
the subordination provisions set forth in Article Ten; (c) default in the
performance or breach of the provisions of the Indenture applicable to mergers,
consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to Purchase in accordance
with Section 4.10 or 4.11 of the Indenture; (d) the Company defaults in the
performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in the
Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b)
or (c) above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or
more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes; (e) there occurs with respect
to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $15 million or more in the
aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has caused
the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to
its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or
such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such
acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a principal payment at the final
(but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have
been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default; (f) any
final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in
excess of $15 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders
against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention
as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of
60 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes
the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not
paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $15 million during which a
stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending
appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; (g) a court having jurisdiction in
the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B)
appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or
for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or
<PAGE>
A-8
any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding up or liquidation of the affairs
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or
order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;
or (h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or
taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or
for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries or (C) effects any general assignment for the
benefit of creditors.
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. If a bankruptcy or
insolvency default with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it
enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct
the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
15. Subordination.
The payment of the Notes will, to the extent set forth in the
Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in
cash or cash equivalents, of all Senior Indebtedness.
16. Trustee Dealings with Company.
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the
Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its
Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.
17. No Recourse Against Others.
No incorporator or any past, present or future partner, stockholder,
other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling person as such,
of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
18. Authentication.
<PAGE>
A-9
This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
19. Abbreviations.
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to Extended Stay
America, Inc., 450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
<PAGE>
A-10
[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing _______________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the
Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES,
UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND
UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE PHYSICAL NOTES]
In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the date
which is the earlier of (i) the date the shelf registration statement is
declared effective or (ii) the end of the period referred to in Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act, the undersigned confirms that without utilizing any
general solicitation or general advertising that:
[Check One]
-----------
[ ] (a) this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Rule 144A
thereunder.
or
--
[ ] (b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above
and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of
transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.
<PAGE>
A-11
If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall
not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the
Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Date:
--------------- -----------------------------------------------------
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must
correspond with the name as written upon the face of
the within-mentioned instrument in every particular,
without alteration or any change whatsoever.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933 and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.
Date:
-------------------- -----------------------------------------------
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer
<PAGE>
A-12
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the Box: [_]
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, state the amount:
$___________________.
Date:
----------------------------
Your Signature:
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:
---------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
---------
Form of Certificate
-------------------
[________________, ____]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14203
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008 (the "Notes")
----------------------------------
Dear Sirs:
This letter relates to U.S. $ _________ principal amount of Notes
represented by a Note (the "Legended Note") which bears a legend outlining
restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note. Pursuant to Section 2.02 of
the Indenture dated as of March 10, 1998 (the "Indenture") relating to the
Notes, we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such securities on behalf
of) a person outside the United States to whom the Notes could be transferred in
accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933. Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange the legended
certificate for an unlegended certificate representing an identical principal
amount of Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Holder]
By:
--------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
---------
Form of Certificate to Be
Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
-----------------------------------------
[____________, ____]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14203
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008 (the "Notes")
----------------------------------
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed purchase of $__________________
aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject
to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of
March 10, 1998 (the "Indenture"), relating to the Notes, and the undersigned
agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes
except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered or
sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf
and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated,
that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any
subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to
a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional
"accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes
(or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the
Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, (D) outside
the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the
Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule
144 under the Securities Act, or (F) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, and
<PAGE>
C-2
we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of the Notes from us a
notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as
stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will
be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal
opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to
confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We
further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the
foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of
our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or
for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited
investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferee]
By:
-------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
---------
Form of Certificate to Be Delivered
in Connection with Transfers
Pursuant to Regulation S
-----------------------------------
[____________, ____]
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
One M&T Plaza, 7th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14203
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Re: Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company")
9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes|
due 2008 (the "Notes")
----------------------------------
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$________________
aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been
effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities
Act of 1933 and, accordingly, we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United
States;
(2) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was
outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably
believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United
States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
Regulation S, as applicable; and
(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
<PAGE>
D-2
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:
---------------------------------
Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF BELL, BOYD & LLOYD]
June 24, 1998
Extended Stay America, Inc.
450 East Las Olas Boulevard,
Suite 1100
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Registration Statement on Form S-4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Extended Stay America, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a registration
statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Company's 9.15 % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "New
Notes") to be issued by the Company in exchange for an equal aggregate principal
amount of its outstanding 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined copies of (i) the
Registration Statement; (ii) a specimen copy of the note representing the New
Notes; (iii) an originally executed copy of the Indenture (the "Original
Indenture") dated as of March 10, 1998 between the Company, as Issuer, and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), with
respect to the 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 of the Company; and (iv)
all other records, agreements, instruments, and documents that we have deemed
relevant or necessary as the basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth. In
stating our opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on
original documents (except when executed in our presence), the authenticity of
documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to originals of all
copies submitted to us as certified, conformed, or reproduction copies.
We have relied as to certain factual matters on information obtained from
public officials, officers of the Company, and other sources believed by us to
be responsible, and we have assumed that the Indenture has been duly authorized,
executed, and delivered by the Trustee thereunder, an assumption which we have
not independently verified.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations set forth herein,
we are of the opinion that the New Notes have been duly authorized by the
Company and that when the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Act and the New Notes have been executed, authenticated, and issued in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the New Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the
<PAGE>
Extended Stay America, Inc.
June 24, 1998
Page 2
Indenture and will be legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as (a)
the validity, binding effect, and enforceability thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and (b) rights of acceleration and the availability
of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general
applicability (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or in law).
The foregoing opinion is limited to the Federal laws of the United States
and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no
opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the references to our firm in the Prospectus constituting a
part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that
we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of
the Act.
Very truly yours,
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
<PAGE>
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
=====
FORM T-1
Statement of eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 of a Corporation designated to act as Trustee
Check if an application to determine eligibility of a Trustee
pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) ___
=====
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
NEW YORK 16-0538020
(Jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
or organization if not a national bank) identification No.)
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14240-2399
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 36-3996573
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification No.)
450 Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1000
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
=====
9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES Due 2008
(Title of indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
Item 1. General Information
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
it is subject.
Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York, 2 World Trade
Center, New York, NY 10047 and Albany, NY 12203.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty Street, New York, NY
10045.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C. 20429.
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes.
Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.
None.
[Items 3 through 15 omitted pursuant to General Instruction B to Form T-1]
2
<PAGE>
Item 16. List of Exhibits
Exhibit A. Organization Certificate of the Trustee as now in effect
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1, Form T-1,
Registration Statement No. 33-7309).
Exhibit B. Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to commence
business (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2,
Form T-1, Registration Statement No. 33-7309).
Exhibit C. Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust
powers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3,
Form T-1, Registration Statement No. 33-7309).
Exhibit D. Existing By-Laws of the Trustee (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4, Form T-1, Registration Statement
No. 33-7309).
Exhibit E. Not Applicable.
Exhibit F. Consent of the Trustee (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 6, Form T-1, Registration Statement No. 33-
7309).
Exhibit G. Report of Condition of the Trustee.*
Exhibit H. Not Applicable.
Exhibit I. Not Applicable
- ------------------
* Filed Herewith
3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the
Trustee, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, a banking corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused
this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Buffalo, and
State of New York, on the 24th day of June, 1998.
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ RUSSELL T. WHITLEY
-----------------------------------
Russell T. Whitley
Assistant Vice President
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT G
REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
---------------------------------------
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31
Dollars in thousands 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets Cash and due from banks $ 436,526
Money-market assets 356,703
Investment securities
Available for sale (cost: $1,267,451) 1,271,387
Held to maturity (market value: $78,915) 78,152
Other (market value: $56,964) 56,964
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment securities 1,406,503
---------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and leases, net of unearned discount 11,493,787
Allowance for possible credit losses (273,991)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and leases, net 11,219,796
Other assets 590,654
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $14,010,182
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities Deposits
Noninterest-bearing $ 1,425,705
Interest-bearing 9,335,726
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total deposits 10,761,431
Short-term borrowings 1,724,359
Accrued interest and other liabilities 277,257
Long-term borrowings 177,397
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 12,940,444
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholder's equity 1,069,738
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $14,010,182
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
NEW 9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
OF
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED , 1998
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON
, 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF OLD
NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE EXPIRATION
DATE.
DELIVER TO:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, EXCHANGE AGENT
By Registered Mail, Certified Mail, By Facsimile Transmission:
Overnight Courier, or Hand Delivery:
Manufacturers and Traders Trust (716) 842-4474
Company
50 Broadway Confirm by telephone:
7th Floor
New York, New York 10004 (716) 842-5602
Attention: Russell T. Whitley
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN THE
ONE LISTED ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS
ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges that he or she has
received and reviewed the Prospectus dated , 1998 (the
"Prospectus") of Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company") and this Letter
of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange an equal principal amount
of its newly issued 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "New Notes")
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the
Prospectus is a part, for its outstanding 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2008 (the "Old Notes"). Other capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by a Holder of Old Notes if:
(i) certificates representing Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the
Exchange Agent herewith by Holders; (ii) tender of Old Notes is to be made by
book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust
Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or "DTC") pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--
Procedures for Tendering" by any financial institution that is a participant
in DTC and whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
Old Notes; or (iii) tender of Old Notes is to be made according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." Certificates, or Book-
Entry Confirmation (as defined herein) of a book-entry transfer of such Old
Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this
<PAGE>
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth above on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by
delivering an Agent's Message (as defined below) in lieu of this Letter of
Transmittal. The term "Book-Entry Confirmation" means a confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The
term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by
the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which
states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering
participant that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by this
Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce this Letter of
Transmittal against such participant.
Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old
Notes are not immediately available, (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes,
this Letter of Transmittal, or any other documents required hereby to the
Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) who cannot comply with
the book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis, may tender their Old
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures." See Instruction 1, printed below, regarding the completion of
this Letter of Transmittal.
The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in
whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed assignment from a registered
holder. Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and are not eligible to
tender their Old Notes via a Book-Entry Confirmation and an Agent's Message
must complete in its entirety and execute and deliver this Letter of
Transmittal.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
The undersigned has completed, executed, and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Exchange Offer.
The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed.
Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the
Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal, and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
may be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 10 herein.
List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the
space provided below is inadequate, list the certificate numbers, the
aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by each such certificate, and
the principal amount of Notes tendered with respect to each such certificate
on a separate signed schedule and attach the list to this Letter of
Transmittal.
2
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF
NOTES
REPRESENTED
BY
CERTIFICATE(S)**
PRINCIPAL
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF CERTIFICATE AMOUNT OF
REGISTERED HOLDER(S) (PLEASE FILL NUMBER(S)* NOTES
IN, IF BLANK) TENDERED***
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD
NOTES TENDERED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* DOES NOT need to be completed by Holders who are tendering by book-
entry transfer.
** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Notes
Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old Notes will be deemed to have
tendered the entire principal amount represented by the column labeled
"Aggregate Principal Amount of Notes Represented by Certificate(s)."
*** The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old
Notes. All other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC
AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS (AS
HEREINAFTER DEFINED) ONLY):
Name of Tendering Institution: _________________________________________
Account Number: ________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number: _______________________________________________
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s) of Old Notes: __________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ____________________
Window Ticket Number (if available): ___________________________________
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery: _________________________
Account Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer): __________________
[_]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD NOTES FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR
SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5, AND 6)
To be completed ONLY (i) if certificates for Old Notes not tendered, or New
Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for exchange, are to be issued
in the name of someone other than the undersigned, or (ii) if Old Notes ten-
dered by book-entry transfer which are not exchanged are to be returned by
credit to an account maintained at DTC.
Issue certificate(s) to:
Name ___________________________________________________________________________
(Please Type or Print)
Address ________________________________________________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Zip Code)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)
Credit Old Notes not exchanged and delivered by book-entry transfer to the DTC
account set forth below:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DTC Account Number
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5, AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes not tendered, or New Notes
issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for exchange, are to be sent to some-
one other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than
that shown above.
Mail certificate(s) to:
Name ___________________________________________________________________________
(Please Type or Print)
Address ________________________________________________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Zip Code)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)
4
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Old Notes indicated
above. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of this
principal amount of Old Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns, and transfers to, or upon the
order of, the Company all right, title, and interest in and to the Old Notes
tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company) with respect to the
tendered Old Notes with full power of substitution to (i) deliver certificates
for such Old Notes, or transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account
books maintained by DTC, to the Company and deliver all accompanying evidences
of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company, (ii)
present certificates for such Old Notes for transfer or evidence of book-entry
transfer of such Old Notes and to transfer the Old Notes on the books of the
Company, and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms of
the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be
deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full power
and authority to tender, sell, assign, and transfer the Old Notes tendered
hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, and encumbrances and not
subject to any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company. The
undersigned hereby further represents that (i) any New Notes acquired in
exchange for Old Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary
course of business of the person receiving such New Notes, whether or not the
undersigned, (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such other person is
engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the New Notes, (iii)
neither the Holder nor any such other person has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Notes, and (iv) neither the Holder nor any such other person is an
"affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company,
or a broker-dealer who receives such New Notes directly from the Company to
resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act.
The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in
reliance upon interpretations contained in letters issued to third parties by
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") that the New
Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may
be offered for resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by holders thereof
(other than any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or a broker-dealer who receives
such New Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act), without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
holders' business and such holders are not engaging in and do not intend to
engage in a distribution of the New Notes and have no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of such New
Notes. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
New Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes
for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that
it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment, transfer, and exchange of the Old Notes
tendered hereby.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, as, and if the Company has given
oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
5
<PAGE>
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes
will be returned (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry
transfer, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained at DTC),
without expense to the tendering Holder as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity, or dissolution of the
undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal
representatives, successors, and assigns.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any of the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the
Old Notes accepted for exchange and return any Old Notes not tendered or not
exchanged in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Old Notes, please credit such New Notes and any Old Notes not
tendered or exchanged to the account indicated above maintained at DTC.
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please send the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for
Old Notes accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not
tendered or not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the
undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s). In the
event that both "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery
Instructions" are completed, please issue the certificates representing the
New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for exchange in the
name(s) of, and return any Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged and send
said certificates to, the person(s) so indicated or, in the case of a book-
entry transfer of Old Notes, please credit such New Notes and any Old Notes
not tendered or not exchanged to the account indicated above maintained at
DTC. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to
the "Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to
transfer any Old Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if
the Company does not accept for exchange any of the Old Notes so tendered.
6
<PAGE>
PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
OLD NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY
Signature(s) of Holder(s):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: , 1998 Telephone Number: ( ) ___________
The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) of Old Notes
as their name(s) appear(s) on the certificate for the Old Notes or by
person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by a properly
completed assignment from the registered holder(s), a copy of which must
be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If Old Notes to which this
Letter of Transmittal relates are held of record by two or more joint
holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If signature is by trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-
in-fact, officer of a corporation, or other person acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her
full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence
satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority so to act. See
Instruction 4 regarding the completion of this Letter of Transmittal,
printed below.
Name(s): __________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title): ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.: ______________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.: ___________________________
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTION 4)
FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY. PLACE SIGNATURE GUARANTEE IN
SPACE BELOW.
Authorized Signature: _____________________________________________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Name of Firm: _____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.: ______________________________________________
Dated: ______________________________________________________________, 1998
7
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD NOTES. This Letter of
Transmittal is to be completed if (i) certificates representing Old Notes are
to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent herewith by Holders; (ii)
tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" by any
financial institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a
security position listing as the owner of Old Notes; or (iii) tender of Old
Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures." Certificates, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees, a Substitute Form W-9 (or facsimile thereof), and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth above on or prior to 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date; provided, however, that book-entry
transfers of Old Notes may be effected in accordance with the procedures
mandated by DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"). Although delivery
of Old Notes may be effected through ATOP, this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signatures guarantees, or an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of
Transmittal, and any other required documents, must in any case be delivered
to and received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth above on or
prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth
in this Instruction 1 must be complied with.
The method of delivery of the tendered Old Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal, and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent are at the
election and risk of the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or confirmed by the
Exchange Agent. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder
use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time
should be allowed to assure delivery to the Exchange Agent before the
Expiration Date. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the
Company.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal, or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) who are unable to complete the
procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Old
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or
through a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor institution,"
including (as such terms are defined therein) (A) a bank; (B) a broker,
dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, government
securities broker, government securities dealer; (C) a credit union; (D) a
national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing
agency; or (E) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities
Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being referred
to as an "Eligible Institution"); (ii) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail, or hand delivery)
setting forth the name and address of the Holder of the Old Notes, the
certificate number or numbers of such Old Notes (unless such Old Notes are to
be tendered via a Book-Entry Confirmation), and the principal amount of Old
Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing
that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
Date, (A) either (1) this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) together
with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes or (2) an Agent's Message
delivered in connection with a book-entry transfer, and (B) any other required
documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange
Agent or otherwise received by the Exchange Agent; and (iii) either (A) such
properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof)
together with the certificate(s) representing all tendered Old Notes, or (B)
an Agent's Message delivered in connection with a book-entry transfer, and all
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, all in proper form for
transfer, must be received by the
8
<PAGE>
Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date, all as provided in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." Any Holder of Old Notes who
wishes to tender his Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. Upon request of the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will
be sent to Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered Old Notes, and withdrawal of tendered Old
Notes, will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes
the Company's acceptance of which would, in the Company's opinion, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any defects,
irregularities, or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. The
Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) shall be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent, nor any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, nor shall any of them
incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holders of Old Notes, unless otherwise provided in this
Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
2. TENDER BY HOLDER. Only a Holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in
the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial holder of Old Notes who is not the
registered holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with the registered
holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his behalf or
must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of Transmittal and
delivering his Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register
ownership of the Old Notes in such holder's name or obtain a properly
completed assignment from the registered holder.
3. PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted
only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount. If less than the entire
principal amount of any Old Note certificate is tendered, the tendering Holder
should fill in the principal amount tendered in the fourth column of the box
entitled "Description of Old Notes" above. The entire principal amount of Old
Notes set forth on the certificate delivered to the Exchange Agent will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire
principal amount of all Old Notes is not tendered, then an Old Note
certificate for the principal amount of Old Notes not tendered and a
certificate or certificates representing New Notes issued in exchange for any
Old Notes accepted will be sent to the Holder at his or her registered
address, unless a different address is provided in the appropriate box on this
Letter of Transmittal, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, such Old
Notes certificate and the certificate or certificates representing New Notes
will be credited to an account maintained at DTC, promptly after the Old Note
is accepted for exchange.
To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn, (ii)
identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number),
(iii) be signed by the Holder in the same manner as the original signature on
the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any
required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to have the Exchange Agent register the transfer of such Old Notes
in the name of the person withdrawing the tender, and (iv) specify the name in
which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the
person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn. All questions as to the
validity, form, and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices
will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not
9
<PAGE>
to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New
Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn
are validly retendered. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by
following one of the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
4. SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF
SIGNATURES. If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by
the record Holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must
correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Old Notes without
alteration, enlargement, or any change whatsoever.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered Holder or Holders of Old Notes tendered and the certificate or
certificates for New Notes issued in exchange therefor are to be issued (or
any untendered principal amount of Old Notes are to be reissued) to the
registered Holder, then said Holder need not and should not endorse any
tendered Old Notes. In any other case, such Holder must either properly
endorse the Old Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed assignment
with this Letter of Transmittal, with the signatures on the endorsement or
assignment guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person
other than the registered Holder or Holders of any Old Notes listed, such Old
Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate assignments, in each case
signed as the name of the registered Holder or Holders appears on the Old
Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Old Notes or
assignments are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and,
unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their
authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on assignments required by this
Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed
if (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the
Old Notes tendered herewith and such Holder(s) has (have) not completed the
box set forth herein entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions," or (b) if such Old Notes are
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
5. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. Tendering Holders should
indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which New
Notes or substitute Old Notes for any principal amount of Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different
from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In
the case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or
social security number of the person named must also be indicated.
6. TRANSFER TAXES. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing New Notes or Old Notes not tendered or
accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of
any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a
transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other persons) will be
payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such
taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal,
the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering
holder.
10
<PAGE>
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
7. 31 PERCENT BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under United States
federal income tax law, a holder whose tendered Old Notes are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's correct
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 below. If
the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In
addition, payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Old Notes
exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup
withholding.
The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering
holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply
for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the holder or
other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31 percent of all payments made prior to the time a properly
certified TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will
retain such amounts withheld during the 60 day period following the date of
the Substitute Form
W-9. If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days
after the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60
day period will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall be
retained or withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If, however,
the holder has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60 day
period, amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In
addition, 31 percent of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and
remitted to the IRS until a correct TIN is provided.
The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Old Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached
to, or endorsed on, the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are registered in more
than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed
"Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to report.
Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions, and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the
face thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person
may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form
W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt
status. Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional United States Federal income tax.
Rather, the United States federal income tax liability of a person subject to
backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to amend,
waive, or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any
Old Note tendered.
9. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED OLD CERTIFICATES. Any tendering
Holder whose certificate(s) representing Old Notes have been mutilated, lost,
stolen, or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address
indicated herein for further instructions.
10. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests for
assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter
of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address specified
in the Prospectus. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company, or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange
Offer.
11
<PAGE>
PAYER'S NAME: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1: PLEASE PROVIDE
YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT
RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY
SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
SUBSTITUTE
-------------------------
IRS FORM W-9 Social Security
Number(s)
PAYERS REQUEST FOR
TAXPAYER OR ______________________
IDENTIFICATION PART 2: CERTIFICATES--Under penalties of perjury, I
certify that:
Employer Identification
Number(s)
------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER ("TIN") (1) The number shown on this form is my correct
taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting
for a number to be issued for me), and
DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY (2) I am not subject to backup with holding be-
INTERNAL REVENUE cause: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding,
SERVICE or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to
report all interest or dividends, or (c) the
IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject
to backup withholding.
------------------------------------------------------
PART 3: Awaiting TIN [_]
------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item
(2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that
you are currently subject to backup withholding be-
cause of underreporting interest or dividends on
your tax return. However, if after being notified
by the IRS that you were subject to backup with-
holding you received another notification from the
IRS stating that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
SIGNATURE __________________________________________
DATE _______________________________________________
NAME _______________________________________________
(Please Print)
ADDRESS ____________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU WITH RESPECT TO THE CERTIFICATES
SURRENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE
ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
PART 3 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalites of perjury that a taxpayer identification
number has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or
delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to
the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security
Administration Office or (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in
the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer
identification number within the time of any payment, 31% of all
reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide
a number.
Signature ______________________________ Date __________________________
12
<PAGE>
Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of this Letter of
Transmittal may be directed to:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
50 Broadway
7th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Russell T. Whitley
13
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY FOR
TENDER OF ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
9.15% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
OF
EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.
As set forth in the Prospectus, dated , 1998 (the "Prospectus"),
of Extended Stay America, Inc. (the "Company") and in the accompanying Letter
of Transmittal and instructions thereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), this
form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used to accept the
Company's exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") to purchase all of its
outstanding 9.15% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Old Notes") if
certificates for Old Notes of the Company are not immediately available or if
the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or
time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange
Offer. Such form may be delivered or transmitted by facsimile transmission,
mail, overnight courier, or hand delivery to Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company (the "Exchange Agent") as set forth below. In addition, in order to
utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, either (i) a completed, signed, and dated Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificates representing
all tendered Old Notes, or (ii) an Agent's Message delivered in connection
with a book-entry transfer, and all other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the third New York Stock Exchange trading day after the
Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the
Prospectus.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON
, 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF OLD
NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE EXPIRATION
DATE.
DELIVER TO:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, EXCHANGE AGENT
By Registered Mail, Certified Mail, By Facsimile Transmission:
Overnight Courier, or Hand Delivery:
(716) 842-4474
Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company
Confirm by telephone:
50 Broadway
7th Floor (716) 842-5602
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Russell T. Whitley
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER
THAN THE ONE LISTED ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE
SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE
GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE
SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby tenders to the
Company the principal amount of Old Notes set forth below, pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedure described under the caption "The Exchange
Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the Prospectus. By so tendering, the
undersigned hereby does make, at and as of the date hereof, the
representations and warranties of a tendering holder of Old Notes set forth in
the Letter of Transmittal.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death, incapacity, or dissolution of the undersigned and every obligation of
the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal
representatives, successors, and assigns of the undersigned.
Principal Amount of Old Notes
Tendered: _______________________
If Old Notes will be delivered
--------------------------------- by book-entry transfer to The
Depository Trust Company,
provide account number.
Certificate Nos. (if
available): _____________________
---------------------------------
Total Principal Amount
Represented by Old Note Account Number: _________________
Certificate(s): _________________
---------------------------------
2
<PAGE>
PLEASE SIGN HERE
Signature(s) of Holder(s):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: _______________________ , 1998 Telephone Number: ( ) _____
The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) of Old Notes as
their name(s) appear(s) on the certificate for the Old Notes or by person(s)
authorized to become registered holder(s) by a properly completed
endorsement or assignment and documents transmitted with this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery. If Old Notes to which this Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery relates are held of record by two or more joint holders, then all
such holders must sign this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
If signature is by trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-
in-fact, officer of a corporation, or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her full
title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence
satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority so to act.
Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title): ______________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.: ________________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.: _____________________________
DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES FOR OLD
NOTES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TOGETHER WITH A PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
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<PAGE>
GUARANTEE
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii)
a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer,
government securities broker, government securities dealer; (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association
or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing
being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver
to the Exchange Agent, at its address set forth above, either the Old Notes
tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry
transfer of such Old Notes to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository
Trust Company, pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in
the Prospectus, in either case together with one or more properly completed
and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any
other required documents within three business days after the date of
execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT MUST DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
AND OLD NOTES TENDERED HEREBY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD SET
FORTH ABOVE AND THAT FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE
UNDERSIGNED.
Name of Firm: ___________________ ---------------------------------
(Please Type or Print) Authorized Signature
Address: ________________________
Name: ___________________________
--------------------------------- (Please Type or Print)
---------------------------------
(Zip Code) Title: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Area Code and Telephone No.: ____
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES FOR
OLD NOTES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
4
