<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 3, 1999
-------------
OR
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from________ to________
Commission file number 333-20155
GORGES\QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 58-2263508
(State or Other (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation) Identification No.)
9441 LBJ Freeway
Suite 214
Dallas, Texas 75243
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(972) 690-7675
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check X whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ___
---
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding at May 18,
1999 was 1,000. There is no public trading market for shares of the registrant's
Common Stock.
________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
Part I - Financial Information Item
Item 1. - Financial Statements
--------------------
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
October 3, April 3,
1998 1999
----------- -----------
Assets (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,671 $ -
Accounts receivable, net 16,970 11,486
Inventory 15,880 14,148
Prepaid expenses and other 448 576
----------- -----------
Total current assets 34,969 26,210
Property, plant and equipment:
Land 1,499 1,371
Buildings and leasehold improvements 38,174 35,134
Machinery and equipment 38,826 38,579
Land improvements and other 1,002 1,379
----------- -----------
79,501 76,463
Accumulated depreciation (13,067) (16,726)
----------- -----------
Net property, plant and equipment 66,434 59,737
Other assets:
Intangible assets 63,090 61,974
Organizational and deferred debt issuance costs 7,282 5,277
Other 28 28
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 171,803 $ 153,226
=========== ===========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 13,381 $ 10,304
Current portion of long-term debt 8,500 4,260
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 21,881 14,564
Long-term debt, less current portion 139,350 89,299
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 2,000 shares authorized,
1,000 shares issued and outstanding - -
Additional paid-in capital 45,585 62,492
Accumulated deficit (35,013) (13,129)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 10,572 49,363
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 171,803 $ 153,226
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Three Six Six
months months months months
ended ended ended ended
March 28, April 3, March 28, April 3,
1998 1999 1998 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales $49,573 $ 36,991 $ 100,560 $ 83,820
Costs of goods sold 40,649 29,713 81,891 68,442
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 8,924 7,278 18,669 15,378
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative 6,364 6,361 12,424 13,096
Amortization 808 815 1,668 1,627
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 7,172 7,176 14,092 14,723
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 1,752 102 4,577 655
Interest expense 4,277 2,737 8,476 6,557
Other (income) expense (5) (56) (13) 142
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before taxes on
income (2,520) (2,579) (3,886) (6,044)
Income tax expense - 9 - 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) before
extraordinary item (2,520) (2,588) (3,886) (6,053)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extraordinary item net of
tax - - - 27,937
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $(2,520) $ (2,588) $ (3,886) $ 21,884
==============================================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months Six months
ended ended
March 28, April 3,
1998 1999
--------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $(3,886) $ 21,884
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 4,538 4,536
Amortization 2,100 1,627
Amortization of deferred debt - 232
Allowance for bad debt (88) 175
Gain on asset sale/restructuring - (352)
Write off of deferred debt - 2,783
Extraordinary gain on early retirement of debt - (31,093)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable 3,041 5,302
Decrease in inventory 2,150 1,732
Increase in prepaid expenses and other (133) (127)
Decrease in accounts payable and
accrued expenses (6,432) (2,788)
--------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,290 3,911
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of plant and equipment (1,540) (1,487)
Proceeds from sale of facility - 4,000
Other (84) (3)
--------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (1,624) 2,510
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit 9,000 18,910
Payments on revolving line of credit (6,000) (28,278)
Proceeds from long term debt - 33,052
Payments on long term debt (2,500) (47,164)
Capital contributions - 16,907
Debt issuance and organizational costs (166) (1,519)
--------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 334 (8,092)
--------------- ----------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents - (1,671)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period - 1,671
--------------- ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ - $ -
=============== ================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 3, 1999
(Unaudited)
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Gorges/Quik-to-Fix Foods, Inc., (the "Company"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of Gorges Holding Company ("GHC"), is a leading producer, marketer and
distributor of value added processed fresh and frozen beef, and to a lesser
extent pork and poultry. The Company purchases fresh and frozen beef, pork and
poultry, which it processes into a broad range of fully cooked and ready to cook
products generally falling into one of two categories, value added products and
ground beef. Value added products include but are not limited to: (i) breaded
beef items such as country fried steak and beef fingers; (ii) charbroiled beef
items such as fully cooked hamburger patties, fajita strips, meatballs, and
meatloaf; and (iii) other specialty products such as fully cooked and ready to
cook pork sausage, breaded pork and turkey, cubed steaks, and Philly steak
slices. Ground beef product offerings primarily consist of individually quick
frozen hamburger patties. The Company's products are primarily sold to the
foodservice industry, which encompasses all aspects of away-from-home food
preparation, including restaurants, schools, healthcare providers, corporations,
and other commercial feeding operations. The Company sells its products
primarily through broadline and specialty foodservice distributors throughout
the U.S.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year
The Company utilizes a 52 or 53 week accounting period, ending on the
Saturday closest to September 30. Quarterly financial information reflects all
necessary adjustments normal and recurring in nature, in the opinion of
management, to present such information in accordance with GAAP.
Accounts Receivable
The Company periodically evaluates the credit worthiness of its customers
as accounts receivable balances are not collateralized. The Company has not
experienced significant credit losses.
Inventories
Inventories, valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
(replacement or net realizable value), consist of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
October 3, April 3,
1998 1999
------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Finished products $ 10,306 $ 9,264
Supplies 5,574 4,884
------------------- -------------------
Total $15,880 $14,148
=================== ===================
</TABLE>
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is
calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of the assets, which range from 3 to 20 years. Capital expenditures for
equipment and capital improvements are generally capitalized while maintenance
is expensed.
Intangible assets and Organizational and Deferred Debt Issuance Costs
Intangible assets, consisting of goodwill and trademarks, are stated at
cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years. Recoverability
of the carrying value of intangible assets is evaluated on a recurring basis
with consideration toward recovery through future operating results on an
undiscounted basis.
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Organizational costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over five
years, and deferred debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the debt
instrument to which it relates. Accumulated amortization was $8.1million at
April 3, 1999. During the first quarter of 1999, the Company amended its credit
facility (the "Old Credit Facility") with NationsBank, N.A. (the "Old Bank") as
agent for a syndicate of banks and financial institutions, and as a result
wrote-off approximately $1.4 million of deferred debt issuance costs. See Notes
3 and 10.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for deferred income
taxes. The liability method provides that deferred tax liabilities are recorded
at currently enacted tax rates based on the difference between the tax basis of
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting
purposes, referred to as temporary differences.
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses include product line expenses such as shipping and
storage, external handling, external freezer charges, product and package
design, brokerage expense, and other direct selling expenses such as certain
salaries, travel and research and development.
Advertising, Promotion and Research and Development Expenses
Advertising, promotion and research and development expenses are charged to
operations in the period incurred. Advertising and promotion expenses were $3.0
million and $6.2 million for the three month and six month periods ending March
28, 1998, compared to $3.2 million and $6.4 million for the same periods ending
April 3, 1999. Research and Development expenses were $0.2 million and $0.4
million for the three month and six month periods ended March 28, 1998, compared
to $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the same periods ending April 3, 1999.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Other (Income) Expense/Restructuring Expenses
On October 7, 1998, the Company announced its intent to exit the ground
beef business to concentrate on its core value added products. Certain expenses
were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 in conjunction with this
decision. The $13.9 million charge recorded in fiscal 1998 is comprised of: (i)
a $13.5 million charge to write down the value of certain assets used in the
ground beef business to the estimated net realizable value of these asset, and
(ii) a $0.4 million charge for severance and other expenses related to the exit
from the ground beef business and restructuring of the Company's value added
business. On February 1, 1999, the Company sold its Orange City, Iowa
manufacturing facility for $4 million in cash.
Extraordinary Item
Included in the extraordinary item of $27.9 million is $31.1 million in
income from the repurchase of the Notes, $1.6 million in income from interest
forgiven on the repurchase of Notes, $2.3 million of expenses related to the
repurchase of the Notes, $2.6 million of expenses related to the write off of
deferred debt fees (partially related to the repurchased Notes and partially
related to the restructuring of the Old Credit Facility). See Notes 3 and 10.
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Company employs approximately 750 people. Currently, approximately 200
employees of a total of 250 union-eligible employees at the Garland, Texas
facility are represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers International
Union, AFL-CIO, CLC, Local 540 (the "Union"). The Garland, Texas facility is
being operated pursuant to the terms and conditions specified by the Company at
the time of the Acquisition Closing. The Company was not obligated to operate
the Garland, Texas facility pursuant to the terms of such agreement. Management
is currently negotiating a replacement collective bargaining agreement with the
Union, although there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing
so.
3. Long Term Debt
Senior Debt
On March 5, 1999, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the Old
Credit Facility and entered into a new credit facility with The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc. ("CIT") as agent for a syndicate of banks and
financial institutions (the "Replacement Credit Facility") which provides the
Company with a revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") and a $29.0 million
term loan facility (the "Term Loan"). The Revolver includes covenants under
which the Company can borrow funds based on the levels of its accounts
receivable and inventory in an aggregate amount of not more than $25.0 million.
The Revolver includes a sub-facility of $3.0 million for commercial and standby
letters of credit. The Revolver has a term of five years and all amounts
outstanding under the Revolver will become due and payable on April 1, 2004.
The Term Loan has a five year term and is subject to principal payments in an
annual amount of $2.1 million in fiscal 1999, $4.2 million in each of fiscal
2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and $14.4 million in fiscal 2004.
Outstanding borrowings under the Replacement Credit Facility bear interest
at floating rates per annum equal to the prime rate plus 1.625% for borrowings
under the Revolver and the prime rate plus 2.125% for borrowings under the Term
Loan. At April 3, 1999, the interest rate for the Company based on this formula
was 9.44% for borrowings under the Revolver and 9.69% for borrowings under the
Term Loan. The interest rates under the Replacement Credit Facility may vary
based on changes in the prime rate or the London Interbank Office Rate
("LIBOR"). Additionally, the interest rates under the Replacement Credit
Facility may vary based on the Company's future financial performance. The
Company may be required to make mandatory prepayments against both facilities,
comprised of principal payments totaling: (i) 100% of cash received in asset
sales wherein the proceeds are not used to purchase replacement assets, and (ii)
50% of the Company's Surplus Cash as defined in the Replacement Credit Facility.
These payments are to be applied first to the Term Loan and, upon the Term
Loan's retirement, to the Revolver as a permanent reduction. At April 3, 1999,
the Company's outstanding borrowings under the Replacement Credit Facility were
$38.5 million, $9.9 million under the Revolver and $28.6 million under the Term
Loan. Also, at April 3, 1999, the Company had $0.8 million in outstanding
letters of credit.
Under the Replacement Credit Facility, the Company is subject to customary
financial and other covenants including certain financial limit and ratio
covenants as well as limitations on further indebtedness, guaranties, liens,
dividends and other restricted payments (including transactions with
affiliates), prepayments and redemption of debt, mergers, acquisitions, asset
sales, consolidations, and other investments. The Replacement Credit Facility
also provides that a first-priority security interest in, and lien upon,
substantially all of the Company's present and future tangible and intangible
assets and capital stock secure indebtedness outstanding. As of April 3, 1999,
the Company was not in compliance with the covenants in the Replacement Credit
Facility relating to minimum net worth and fixed charge coverage ratio. On May
11, 1999, CIT delivered to the Company a written waiver of this non-compliance.
As a result of such waiver, as of May 11, 1999, the Company was in compliance
with all technical, financial and limit ratio covenants under the Replacement
Credit Facility.
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)
Long Term Debt - Continued
Subordinated Debt
On November 25, 1996, the Company consummated a private placement of $100.0
million aggregate principal amount Notes. The Notes will mature on December 1,
2006, unless previously redeemed. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually
in arrears, commencing June 1, 1997, and is payable on June 1 and December 1 of
each year at a rate of 11.5% per annum. The issuance of the Notes resulted in
net proceeds to the Company of approximately $95.0 million after underwriting
discounts and other debt issuance costs aggregating approximately $5.0 million.
On April 30, 1997, the Company consummated an exchange offer where by the
private placement Notes were replaced with similar Notes that are publicly
traded. In December 1998, the Company retired $48.0 million aggregate principal
amount of Notes, through a combination of open market purchases and a cash
tender offer. The Company's outstanding indebtedness under these Notes was
$52.0 million at April 3, 1999. (See Note 10).
The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture that contains certain
restrictive covenants and limitations. Among other things, the Indenture limits
the incurrence of additional indebtedness, limits the making of restricted
payments (as defined) including the declaration and/or payment of dividends,
places limitations on dividends and other payments by the Company, and places
limitations on liens, certain asset dispositions and merger/sale of assets
activity. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at April 3, 1999.
The Notes are unsecured subordinated general obligations of the Company.
The Notes become redeemable at the Company's option on December 1, 2001, at
which time the Notes are redeemable in whole or part, subject to a redemption
premium which begins at 105.75 % of the face value in 2001 and reduces at a
scheduled rate annually until 2004 at which time the redemption is 100% of face
value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to December 1, 1999,
the Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes, in part, with the net proceeds
of a public equity offering or of a capital contribution made to the common
equity of the Company. Any such redemption is also subject to a redemption
premium, which begins at 110.75% in 1997 and 110.00% in 1998 and 1999. No
mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments are required with respect to the
Notes; however, at each Note holder's option, the Company may be required to
repurchase the Notes at a redemption premium of 101% in the event the Company
incurs a change of control as defined by the indenture.
The Company paid interest of $4.2 million and $8.5 million for the three
month and six month periods ended March 28, 1998 compared to $2.7 million and
$6.6 million for the same periods ended April 3, 1999.
4. Commitments
The Company leases certain properties and equipment for which the total
rentals thereon approximated $32,000 and $64,000 for the three month and six
month periods ended March 28, 1998, compared to approximately $100,000 and
$201,000 for the same periods ended April 3, 1999.
5. Benefit Plans
The Company has defined contribution retirement and incentive benefit
programs for all employees after meeting requirements concerning time employed.
Incentive benefit programs are of a profit sharing nature, and are discretionary
as to amount and timing; no incentive contributions have been made by the
Company. Contributions to the defined contribution plans totaled $146,068 and
$279,170 for the three month and six month periods ended March 28, 1998,
compared to $141,394 and $275,386 for the same periods ended April 3, 1999.
6. Income Taxes
The Company has not recorded an income tax benefit related to the net
deferred tax asset for the period ended April 3, 1999 because in the opinion of
management it is uncertain when the Company will be able to realize this
deferred tax asset.
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)
7. Significant Customers
Certain of the Company's products are sold to major foodservice
distributors for distribution to foodservice outlets. As a result, the
Company's top two customers accounted for approximately 23% of sales for the
three month period ended April 3, 1999.
8. Transactions with Affiliates
The Company has entered into a consulting agreement with an affiliate of
GHC's majority shareholder, CGW Southeast Partners III, L.P. ("CGW"), under
which CGW will receive a monthly fee of $30,000 for financial and management
consulting services. In addition to the monthly fee to CGW, the Board of
Directors may approve an additional fee not to exceed $500,000 annually, based
upon overall Company operations. At the closing of the acquisition, CGW
received a fee of $2.65 million, included as part of the Company's
organizational costs, for its services in assisting the Company with the
structuring and negotiating the purchase of the Company from Tyson Foods, Inc.
9 Stock Options
In 1997, GHC adopted a stock option plan (the Stock Option Plan) which
provides for the granting of up to 112,250 incentive stock options to employees
to purchase shares of GHC's common stock. All options granted under the Stock
Option Plan have a five year vesting period and a term of up to ten years. GHC
has no assets or liabilities, other than their direct investment in the Company.
Stock option activity is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Weighted Average and
Option Price per Share
---------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Options granted 84,968 $100.00
Options exercised - -
Options cancelled - -
---------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding September 27, 1997 84,968 $100.00
Options granted 8,543 $100.00
Options exercised - -
---------------------------------------------------------------
Options cancelled 15,843 $100.00
---------------------------------------------------------------
Options Outstanding October 3, 1998 77,668 $100.00
===============================================================
</TABLE>
10. Restructuring
Prior to the end of fiscal 1998, the Company began a restructuring process
that encompassed two main actions: (i) exiting the raw ground beef business, and
the related closing or sale of the Orange City, IA, plant principally
responsible for this business line's production; and (ii) restructuring of its
balance sheet primarily through a debt restructuring plan and equity offering.
<PAGE>
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)
10. Restructuring - Continued
On October 7, 1998, the Company announced its intent to exit the ground
beef business to concentrate on its core value added products. Certain expenses
were recorded in fiscal 1998 in conjunction with this decision. The $13.9
million charge recorded in fiscal 1998 is comprised of: (i) a $13.5 million
charge to write down the value of certain assets used in the ground beef
business to the estimated net realizable value of these asset, and (ii) a $0.4
million charge for severance and other expenses related to the exit from the
ground beef business and restructuring of the Company's value added business.
The Company incurred additional charges in the fiscal first and second quarters
of 1999 related to the exit from the ground beef business and restructuring of
the value added business.
On October 29, 1998, the Company entered into the Amendment to the Old
Credit Facility that replaced the existing covenants with a new set of covenants
under which the Company can borrow funds based on the levels of its accounts
receivable and inventory. The Amendment became effective on December 21, 1998,
at which time the Company was in compliance with all terms and conditions of the
Old Credit Facility.
On October 29, 1998, the Company announced a tender offer pursuant to which
it offered to purchase not less than $36.0 million (the "Minimum Tender
Condition") and up to $46.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Notes (the
"Offer"). On December 2, 1998, the Company elected to waive all conditions to
the consummation of the Offer, including the Minimum Tender Condition, and
consummated the Offer with respect to $30.0 million aggregate principal amount
of Notes (the "Tendered Notes"). Additionally, on December 21, 1998, CGW
contributed to the Company $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes
(the "CGW Notes") acquired by CGW through open market purchases. The Tendered
Notes and the CGW Notes were retired on December 21, 1998. As a result of the
retirement of the $48 million of Tendered Notes, the Company recorded $28.6
million in income net of related transaction expenses and the write off of
deferred debt fees. The repurchase and retirement of the Tendered Notes and the
CGW Notes was financed through an equity investment by the shareholders in GHC
totaling $16.9 million.
On December 21, 1998 the Company, through GHC, obtained from certain
shareholders a $4.0 million subordinated bridge loan (the "Bridge Loan"), the
proceeds of which were used to fund the December 1, 1998 interest payment on the
Notes. The terms of the Bridge Loan provide for a one year loan to the Company
at an interest rate of 9%. Unless earlier repaid, on December 15, 1999, the
remaining principal and interest outstanding under Bridge Loan will
automatically convert to equity in GHC.
On February 1, 1999, the Company sold its Orange City, Iowa manufacturing
facility (the "Ground Beef Facility") for $4 million in cash. Historically, the
Ground Beef Facility has produced almost exclusively ground beef product
offerings, representing 100% of the Company's total ground beef production. The
proceeds from the sale of this facility were used to reduce the outstanding
indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility.
On March 5, 1999, 1999, the Company entered into the Replacement Credit Facility
and, using the proceeds from the Replacement Credit Facility, repaid all amounts
outstanding under the Old Credit Facility. Additionally, on March 5, 1999, the
Company repaid approximately $1.0 million of the principal and interest
outstanding under the Bridge Loan using proceeds from the Replacement Credit
Facility.
<PAGE>
Part 1 - Financial Information
Item 2
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Gorges/Quik-to-Fix Foods, Inc., (the "Company"), or its representatives, may
make forward looking statements, oral or written, including statements in this
report's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations, press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), regarding estimated future operating results,
planned capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof) and the
Company's financing plans, if any, related thereto, increases in customers and
the Company's financial position and other plans and objectives for future
operations. Certain of the matters discussed may 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
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from
the Company's expectations are set forth among the factors set forth in the
"Factors Affecting Future Performance" section in Item 7 of this report or in
the description of the Company's business in Item 1 of this report, as well as
factors contained in the Company's other filings with the Commission.
All subsequent oral and written forward looking statements attributable to
the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by these factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of
these statements. The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
September 30. References in this report to "fiscal 1999" and "fiscal 1998"
refer to the twelve month periods ended October 2, 1999 and October 3, 1998,
respectively.
The Company is a leading producer of value added processed beef products for
the foodservice industry and is one of the few companies in this segment of the
industry that markets and distributes nationally. The Company's products are
marketed under the nationally recognized Quik-to-Fix and Gorges brand names, as
well as the private labels of leading national foodservice distributors. The
Company believes that its products are well positioned to take advantage of what
it believes is a trend within the foodservice industry toward greater
outsourcing of the food preparation process. Outsourcing provides many benefits
to foodservice operators including consistent product quality, reduced
preparation costs and increased food safety.
The Company purchases fresh and frozen beef and, to a lesser extent, pork
and poultry, which it processes into a broad range of fully-cooked and ready to
cook products. The Company's two product categories are value added products and
ground beef. Value added product offerings include (i) breaded beef items, such
as country fried steak and beef fingers, (ii) charbroiled beef, such as fully
cooked hamburger patties, fajita strips, meatballs, meatloaf and taco meat and
(iii) other specialty products, such as fully cooked and ready to cook pork
sausage, breaded pork and turkey, cubed steaks and Philly steak slices. The
Company operates three manufacturing facilities which are dedicated to value
added products. The Company's products are sold primarily to the foodservice
industry, which encompasses all aspects of away-from-home food preparation,
including commercial establishments such as fast food restaurants and family
dining restaurants and non-commercial establishments such as healthcare
providers, schools and corporations. The Company sells its products principally
through broadline and specialty foodservice distributors.
The Company was formed in 1996 in connection with the acquisition of the
processed beef operations (the "Business") of Tyson Foods, Inc. ("Tyson" and the
"Acquisition" respectively). Prior to the Acquisition, the Business operated as
part of Tyson, the world's largest vertically integrated poultry processor.
Tyson acquired a portion of the Business in 1989 through its acquisition of
Holly Farms. In doing so, Tyson acquired two separate beef processing companies,
Harker's, Inc. ("Harker's") and Quik-to-Fix Foods, Inc. ("Quik-to-Fix, Inc."),
each of which had been acquired by Holly Farms in 1986. In 1990, Tyson sold the
Harker's brand name and route sales division to Harker's Distribution, Inc., a
company formed by former members of Harker's management. In January 1994, Tyson
expanded its beef processing operations further by acquiring Gorges Foodservice,
Inc., ("Gorges, Inc."), a leading producer of charbroiled beef products. In
April 1996, Tyson announced its intention to sell the Business in order to
concentrate on its core poultry business. The Acquisition was consummated on
November 25, 1996.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 9441 LBJ Freeway, Suite
214, Dallas, Texas, 75243, and its telephone number is 972/690-7675. The
Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gorges Holding Corporation ("GHC"),
which, in turn, is substantially owned by CGW Southeast Partners III, L.P.
("CGW"). GHC has no business other than holding the stock of the Company, which
is the sole source of GHC's financial resources. GHC is controlled by CGW,
which beneficially owns shares representing 54.8% of the voting interest in GHC,
(46.3% on a fully diluted basis) and has the right to designate all of the
directors of GHC. Accordingly, CGW, through its control of GHC, controls the
Company and has the power to elect all of its directors, appoint new management,
and approve any action requiring the approval of the holders of the Company's
common stock.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
Financial Statements and the Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Document.
Results of Operations
Overview
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended Six months ended
March 28, 1998 April 3, 1999 March 28, 1998 April 3, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales Dollars:
Value Added $36,750 $35,160 $ 75,583 $73,172
Ground Beef 12,823 1,831 24,977 10,649
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $49,573 $36,991 $100,560 $83,820
Pounds:
Total Value Added 23,128 22,165 48,554 46,447
Ground Beef 15,079 2,112 29,333 13,205
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 38,207 24,276 77,887 59,652
Dollars/Pound
Value Added $ 1.59 $ 1.59 $ 1.56 $ 1.58
Ground Beef 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.81
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1.30 $ 1.52 $ 1.29 $ 1.41
</TABLE>
Sales. Total sales decreased $12.5 million, or 25%, from $49.6 million in
the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $37.0 million in the three month
period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in the
sales of ground beef as a result of exiting the ground beef business, and the
sales to national account customers of value added products.
Total sales decreased $16.7 million, or 16.6%, from $100.6 in the six month
period ended March 28, 1998 to $83.8 million in the six month period ended April
3, 1999. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in the sales of ground
beef and the sales to national account customers of value added products,
partially offset by increased sales of co-packed, value added products (products
packed for other manufacturers under their label).
Sales of value added products decreased $1.6 million, or 4.3%, from $36.8
million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $35.0 million in the
three month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease reflects decreased sales
to national account customers.
Sales of value added products decreased $2.4 million, or 3.2%, from $75.6
million in the six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $73.2 million in the six
month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease reflects decreased sales to
national account customers, partially offset by increases in sales of co-packed
product sold to other manufacturers. The national account business lost carried
a high average sale price, and the co-pack volume replacing it is primarily on a
fee for service/toll conversion cost basis. The result of the sales mix change,
coupled with the continued fall in beef prices in fiscal 1999 resulted in lower
average selling prices in fiscal 1999.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)
Sales of ground beef products decreased $11.0 million, or 85.7%, from $12.8
million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $1.8 million in the
three month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease is a direct result of the
Company's strategic decision made in the fourth quarter of 1998 to exit the
ground beef business. Ground beef product sales decreased 13.0 million pounds,
or 86.0%, from 15.1 million pounds in the three month period ended March 28,
1998 compared to 2.1 million pounds in the three month period ended April 3,
1999.
Sales of ground beef products decreased $14.3 million, or 57.4%, from $25.0
million in the six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $10.6 million in the six
month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease is a direct result of the
Company's strategic decision made in the fourth quarter of 1998 to exit the
ground beef business. Ground beef product sales decreased 16.1 million pounds,
or 55.0%, from 29.3 million pounds in the six month period ended March 28, 1998
compared to 13.2 million pounds in six month period ended April 3, 1999.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased $1.6 million, or 18.4%, from $8.9
million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 compared to $7.3 million
in the three month period ended April 3, 1999. As a percentage of sales, gross
profit increased from 18.0% in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to
19.7% in the three month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease in gross
profit dollars and increase in gross profit as a percent of sales reflect the
Company's decision to exit the ground beef business.
Gross profit decreased $3.3 million, or 17.6%, from $18.7 million in the
six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $15.4 million in the six month period
ended April 3, 1999. As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased from
18.6% in the six month period ended March 28, 1998 to 18.4% in the six month
period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease reflects operating inefficiencies
resulting from lower production levels, discounted sales of older or overstocked
products and the decrease in sales of value added products to national account
customers offset with increased sales of lower margin co-packed products. This
decrease also reflects increased expenses relating to sales and promotional
activities.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $7.2 million in both the three
month periods ended March 28, 1998 and April 3, 1999.
Operating expenses increased $0.6 million, or 4.3%, from $14.1 million in
the six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $14.7 million in the six month
period ended April 3, 1999. This increase is primarily the result of the
complete organization and staffing of the Company's corporate headquarters,
increased sales and promotional activity in fiscal 1999, full staffing of the
Company's research and development group, and a higher level of product
development activity.
Operating Income. Operating income decreased $1.6 million, or 93.0%, from
$1.7 million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $0.1 million in
the three month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease is primarily the
result of the reduced sales reflecting the company's decision to exit the ground
beef business.
Operating income decreased $3.9 million, or 85.3%, from $4.6 million in the
six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $0.7 million in the six month period
ended April 3, 1999. This decrease is primarily the result of decreases in gross
profit due to sales mix changes described above and the resulting decline in
gross margin, which includes discounted sales of older or overstocked products.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $1.5 million, or 36.0%, from
$4.3 million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $2.7 million in
the three month period ended April 3, 1999. This decrease reflects the overall
lower debt level due to the repurchase and retirement of $48.0 aggregate
principal amount of million of Notes.
Interest expense decreased $1.9 million, or 22.6%, from $8.5 million in the
six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $6.6 million in the six month period
ended April 3, 1999. This decrease reflects the overall lower debt level due to
the repurchase and retirement of $48.0 million aggregate principal amount of
Notes.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)
Other (Income) Expense. Other income and expense, which was minimal in the
three month period ended March 28, 1998, remained minimal in the three month
period ended April 3, 1999.
Other income and expense, which was minimal in the six month period ended
March 28, 1998, increased to $0.1 million in the six month period ended April 3,
1999. The increase is a result of the Restructuring.
Extraordinary Item. The extraordinary item is comprised of $31.1 million
in income from the repurchase and early retirement of $48.0 million aggregate
principal amount of Notes, $1.6 million in income from interest forgiven on the
repurchase of the Notes, $2.3 million of expenses related to the repurchase of
the Notes, $2.6 million of expense related to the write off of deferred debt
fees (partially related to the repurchasing of the Notes and partially related
to the restructuring of the Old Credit Facility).
Net Income (loss). Net income (loss) increased $0.1 million, or 2.6%, from
($2.5) million in the three month period ended March 28, 1998 to $(2.6) million
in the three month period ended April 3, 1999.
Net income (loss) increased $18.0 million, or 463.2%, from ($3.9) million
in the six month period ended March 28, 1998 to $21.9 million in the six month
period ended April 3, 1999.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On March 5, 1999, the Company entered into a credit agreement with The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc. ("CIT") as agent for a syndicate of banks and
financial institutions (the "Replacement Credit Facility") which provides the
Company with a revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") and a $29.0 million
term loan facility (the "Term Loan"). The Revolver includes covenants under
which the Company can borrow funds based on the levels of its accounts
receivable and inventory in an aggregate amount of not more than $25.0 million.
The Revolver includes a sub-facility of $3.0 million for commercial and standby
letters of credit. The Revolver has a term of five years and all amounts
outstanding under the Revolver will become due and payable on April 1, 2004.
The Term Loan has a five year term and is subject to principal payments in an
annual amount of $2.1 million in fiscal 1999, $4.2 million in each of fiscal
2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and $14.4 million in fiscal 2004.
Outstanding borrowings under the Replacement Credit Facility bear interest
at floating rates per annum equal to the prime rate plus 1.625% for borrowings
under the Revolver and the prime rate plus 2.125% for borrowings under the Term
Loan. At April 3, 1999, the interest rate for the Company based on this formula
was 9.44% for borrowings under the Revolver and 9.69% for borrowings under the
Term Loan. The interest rates under the Replacement Credit Facility may vary
based on changes in the prime rate or the London Interbank Office Rate
("LIBOR"). Additionally, the interest rates under the Replacement Credit
Facility may vary based on the Company's future financial performance. The
Company may be required to make mandatory prepayments against both facilities,
comprised of principal payments totaling: (i) 100% of cash received in asset
sales wherein the proceeds are not used to purchase replacement assets, and (ii)
50% of the Company's Surplus Cash as defined in the Replacement Credit Facility.
These payments are to be applied first to the Term Loan and, upon the Term
Loan's retirement, to the Revolver as a permanent reduction. At April 3, 1999,
the Company's outstanding borrowings under the Replacement Credit Facility were
$38.5 million, $9.9 million on the Revolver and $28.6 million on the Term Loan.
Also, at April 3, 1999, the Company had $0.8 million in outstanding letters of
credit.
Under the Replacement Credit Facility, the Company is subject to customary
financial and other covenants including certain financial limit and ratio
covenants as well as limitations on further indebtedness, guaranties, liens,
dividends and other restricted payments (including transactions with
affiliates), prepayments and redemption of debt, mergers, acquisitions, asset
sales, consolidations, and other investments. The Replacement Credit Facility
also provides that a first-priority security interest in, and lien upon,
substantially all of the Company's present and future tangible and intangible
assets and capital stock secure indebtedness outstanding.
As of April 3, 1999, the Company was not in compliance with the covenants
in the Replacement Credit Facility relating to minimum net worth and fixed
charge coverage ratio. On May 11, 1999, CIT delivered to the Company a written
waiver of this non-compliance. As a result of such waiver, as of May 11, 1999,
the Company was in compliance with all technical, financial and limit ratio
covenants under the Replacement Credit Facility.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)
The Company has significant annual principal and interest obligations.
Borrowings under the Replacement Credit Facility, which totaled $38.5 million at
April 3, 1999 ($28.6 million under the Term Loan and $9.9 million under the
Revolver), accrued interest at an average rate of 9.5% in the quarter ended
April 3, 1999. Borrowings under the Notes totaled $52.0 million at April 3,
1999, and accrued interest at 11.5%.
In addition to its debt service obligations, the Company will need
liquidity for working capital and capital expenditures. Capital expenditures,
primarily for computer software and hardware, office furniture, fixtures, and
for the capital maintenance of the Company facilities, were $ 0.5 million and $
1.5 million for the three month and six month periods ended March 28, 1998,
compared to $ 1.2 million and $ 1.5 million for the three month and six month
periods ended April 3, 1999.
The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations.
This cash flow combined with changes in working capital assets resulted in a net
cash provided by operations of $3.9 million. The Company provided another $2.5
million in investing activities produced from proceeds from the sale of the
Orange City facility, partially offset by capital purchases. In financing
activities, the Company used $16.9 million in capital contributions and $4.0
million by obtaining the Bridge Loan. The Company used the $20.9 million
generated to retire $49.75 million of debt in the quarter, as a result of the
above described transactions, wherein the Company repurchased $48.0 million
aggregate principal amount of Notes at a substantial discount. The Company
anticipates that its working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and
scheduled repayments for fiscal 1999 will be satisfied through a combination of
cash flows generated from operations together with funds available under the
Revolving Credit Facility.
Effects of Inflation
Inflation has not had a significant effect on the Company's operations.
However, in the event of increases in inflation or commodity prices from recent
levels, the Company could experience sudden and significant increases in beef
costs. Over periods of 90 days or less, the Company may be unable to completely
pass these price increases on to its customers. Management currently believes
that over longer periods of time, it generally will be able to pass on price
increases to its customers.
Effects of Year 2000 Problems
While the Company is not aware of any material expenses or losses of
revenue that it will incur as a result of so-called "Year 2000 problems" it is
impossible to anticipate all of the ways in which such problems could arise and
affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations. In addition
to hardware and software problems that could arise within the Company's own
computer systems, computer systems with which the Company's systems interface or
other machinery, the Company could be affected by the Year 2000 problems of its
suppliers, partners or customers, or of other parties upon whom the Company
depends, as well. At this time the Company is unable to quantify the possible
effect of Year 2000 problems on its financial condition or results of
operations. The majority of the Company's hardware and software was purchased
and implemented in the past two years and has been represented to the Company as
Year 2000 compliant by the respective vendors.
Major risks to the Company from Year 2000 issues would primarily be in the
areas of performance by either vendors or customers. The Company could be
significantly impacted if the Company's vendors are unable to deliver goods and
services needed, or the Company's customers were unable to carry out their
respective businesses, or were unable to place an order with the Company due to
system failures. The Company's remaining plans related to Year 2000 issues
involve a continued effort to poll and monitor vendors and customers through
questionnaires and profiles to be gathered in the purchasing and sales
processes.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Statement of Position 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed for Internal Use and SOP 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start Up
Activities are effective for the Company beginning in it's fiscal year 2000.
The Company does not anticipate that SOP 98-1 will have a significant effect on
the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. With the
adoption of SOP 98-5 the Company will have to write off existing organizational
costs. As of April 3, 1999, organizational costs are approximately $2.6
million.
Future Operating Results; Forward Looking Statements
The Company's future revenues and profitability are difficult to predict
due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including (i) business conditions
and growth in the Company's existing markets, (ii) the success of new products
and development of new markets, (iii) the Company's existing indebtedness and
the uncertainty of capital needs for debt service and additional growth, (iv)
government regulation, including USDA regulations, (v) the successful
integration of future acquisitions and (vi) numerous competitive factors,
including number and size of competitors and alternative distribution, (vii)
market price and availability of raw materials.
The Company expects to pursue business growth strategies, add customers,
product lines and possibly acquire other businesses; however, the success of
these strategies and any rate of increase cannot be estimated with precision or
certainty. The Company believes that selling general and administrative,
interest, and depreciation and amortization expenses will continue to increase
to support overall growth.
Because of the foregoing uncertainties affecting the Company's future
operating results, past performance should not be considered to be a reliable
indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends
to anticipate results or trends in future periods. In addition, the Company's
participation in a dynamic industry often results in significant volatility in
the price of the Company's bonds.
In addition to the matters noted above, certain other statements made in
this report are forward looking. Such statements are based on an assessment of
a variety of factors, contingencies and uncertainties deemed relevant by
management, including technological changes, competitive products and services,
management issues as well as those matters discussed specifically elsewhere
herein. As a result, the actual results realized by the Company could differ
materially from the statements made herein. Readers of this report are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements made in
this report.
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None
Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
10.1 Financing Agreement, dated March 5, 1999, by and among The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc. (as Agent and a Lender), the Lenders and
Gorges/Quik-to-Fix Foods, Inc.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 18, 1999 GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
By: /s/John P. McCarthy
-------------------
John P. McCarthy
Corporate Controller
(Principal Financial Officer)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.1
FINANCING AGREEMENT
-------------------
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
(as Agent and a Lender),
Each Additional Lender
Which Becomes a Party Hereto,
And
Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc.
(as Company)
Dated: March 5, 1999
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE 1. Definitions................................................ 1
-----------
Section 1.1 Definitions........................................... 1
ARTICLE 2. Conditions Precedent....................................... 13
Section 2.1 Initial Extension of Credit........................... 13
Section 2.2 Conditions of Each Extension of Credit................ 18
ARTICLE 3. Revolving Loans............................................ 18
Section 3.1 Loans and Advances.................................... 19
Section 3.2 Accounts Receivable and Inventory Reports............. 19
Section 3.3 Representations and Warranties Regarding Accounts
Receivable and Inventory.............................. 19
Section 3.4 Collections of Accounts Receivable; Application to
Obligations........................................... 20
Section 3.5 Notification Regarding Collateral Value; Credits and
Returned Goods........................................ 21
Section 3.6 Loan Account.......................................... 21
Section 3.7 Monthly Statements.................................... 21
Section 3.8 Existing Obligations.................................. 21
ARTICLE 4. The Term Loans; Revolving Loan Mechanisms.................. 22
Section 4.1 Term Loans............................................ 22
Section 4.2 Notices of Borrowings................................. 23
Section 4.3 LIBOR Loans........................................... 23
Section 4.4 LIBOR Loan Compensation............................... 24
Section 4.5 Agent and Lender Advance Mechanics.................... 27
Section 4.6 Payment Free of Withholding Taxes..................... 27
ARTICLE 5. Letters of Credit.......................................... 28
Section 5.1 Assistance in Obtaining Letters of Credit............. 29
Section 5.2 Charges to Loan Account............................... 29
Section 5.3 Indemnification....................................... 29
Section 5.4 Exculpation........................................... 29
Section 5.5 Actions by the Agent.................................. 30
Section 5.6 Limitations on Actions by the Company................. 30
Section 5.7 Compliance with Laws; Responsibility for Taxes........ 30
Section 5.8 Subrogation........................................... 31
ARTICLE 6. Collateral................................................. 31
Section 6.1 Grant of Security Interest............................ 31
Section 6.2 Scope of Security Interest............................ 31
Section 6.3 Protection and Sale of Inventory...................... 32
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section 6.4 Protection and Sale of Equipment...................... 32
Section 6.5 Continuation of Security Interests.................... 33
Section 6.6 Right to Determine Remedies........................... 33
Section 6.7 Additional Security; Right to Charge Obligations...... 33
Section 6.8 Further Security...................................... 34
Section 6.9 Delivery of Additional Instruments.................... 34
Section 6.10 Delivery of Additional Warehousemen's Waiver.......... 34
Section 6.11 Delivery of Iowa Mortgagee Title Insurance Policy..... 34
ARTICLE 7. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.................. 34
Section 7.1 Company Liabilities; Ownership of and Rights to
Collateral............................................ 35
Section 7.2 Books and Records; Right of Inspection; Appraisals.... 35
Section 7.3 Collateral Schedules.................................. 35
Section 7.4 Further Assurances.................................... 35
Section 7.5 Insurance............................................. 36
Section 7.6 Taxes................................................. 37
Section 7.7 Compliance with Laws.................................. 38
Section 7.8 Reports and Financial Information..................... 38
Section 7.10 Negative Covenants.................................... 39
Section 7.11 Capital Expenditures.................................. 41
Section 7.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio........................... 41
Section 7.13 Leverage Ratio........................................ 42
Section 7.14 Environmental Expenditures and Notices................ 42
Section 7.15 Transactions with Affiliates.......................... 42
Section 7.16 Subordinated Debt..................................... 43
Section 7.17 Warranties and Representations Relating to Surveys,
Matters Affecting Title, and Zoning................... 43
ARTICLE 8. Interest, Fees and Expenses................................ 44
Section 8.1 Interest.............................................. 44
Section 8.2 Letter of Credit Guaranty Fee......................... 44
Section 8.3 Issuing Bank Costs.................................... 44
Section 8.4 Out-of-Pocket Expenses................................ 44
Section 8.5 Line of Credit Fee.................................... 45
Section 8.6 Loan Facility Fee..................................... 45
Section 8.7 Administrative Agency Fee............................. 45
Section 8.8 Syndication Fee....................................... 45
Section 8.9 Field Examination Fees................................ 45
Section 8.10 Authorization to Charge Loan Account.................. 45
ARTICLE 9. Powers..................................................... 45
ARTICLE 10. Events of Default and Remedies............................. 46
Section 10.1 Events of Default..................................... 46
Section 10.2 Acceleration and Termination; Default Rate of
Interest.............................................. 47
Section 10.3 Remedies Respecting Collateral........................ 48
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE 11. Termination................................................ 49
ARTICLE 12. Miscellaneous.............................................. 50
Section 12.1 Waivers............................................... 50
Section 12.2 Entire Agreement...................................... 50
Section 12.3 Compliance with Usury Laws............................ 51
Section 12.4 Severability.......................................... 51
Section 12.5 Syndications, Assignments and Participations.......... 51
Section 12.6 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION......... 52
Section 12.7 Notices............................................... 53
Section 12.8 Governing Law......................................... 53
ARTICLE 13. Agent and Lender Provisions................................ 53
Section 13.1 Appointment of Agent.................................. 53
Section 13.2 Release of Collateral................................. 54
Section 13.3 Receipt of Funds by Lenders........................... 54
Section 13.4 Action on Instructions of Lenders..................... 54
Section 13.5 Furnish Notices to Lenders............................ 55
Section 13.6 Nonreliance on Agent and Other Lenders................ 55
Section 13.7 Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of the Agent...... 55
Section 13.8 Resignation; Removal; Appointment of Successor Agent.. 57
Section 13.9 Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs............................ 58
Section 13.10 Amendments and Waivers................................ 59
Section 13.11 Rights of Agent and its Affiliates as a Lender........ 59
Section 13.12 CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES................................. 60
</TABLE>
EXHIBITS
- --------
Exhibit A - Term Note
Exhibit B - Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C - Notice of LIBOR Loan
Exhibit D - Notice of Base Rate Loan
Exhibit E - Indebtedness
Exhibit F - Notice to Trustee under the Senior Notes Indenture
Exhibit G - Letter from Parent and CGW re Bridge Notes
iii
<PAGE>
THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., a New York corporation, (hereinafter
"CITBC") for itself as a Lender and as collateral and administrative agent for
itself and the other Lenders (the "Agent"), with offices located at 1200 Ashwood
Parkway, Suite 150, Atlanta, Georgia 30338, and the other Lenders listed
herein, are pleased to confirm the terms and conditions under which the Lenders
shall make revolving loans, advances and other financial accommodations to
Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc. (herein the "Company"), a Delaware corporation
with a principal place of business at 9441 L.B.J. Freeway, suite 214, Dallas,
Texas 75234.
ARTICLE 1. Definitions
-----------
Section 1.1 Definitions. The terms as defined in this Article 1 shall,
-----------
for all purposes of this Agreement and any amendment hereto (except as herein
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), have the
meanings set forth herein.
Accounts shall mean all of the Company's now existing and future: (i) accounts
- --------
receivable, (whether or not specifically listed on schedules furnished to
CITBC), and any and all instruments, documents, contract rights, chattel paper,
general intangibles, including, without limitation, all accounts created by or
arising from all of the Company's sales of goods or rendition of services to its
customers, and all accounts arising from sales or rendition of services made
under any of the Company's trade names or styles, or through any of the
Company's divisions; (ii) unpaid seller's rights (including rescission,
replevin, reclamation and stoppage in transit) relating to the foregoing or
arising therefrom; (iii) rights to any goods represented by any of the
foregoing, including rights to returned or repossessed goods; (iv) reserves and
credit balances arising hereunder; (v) guarantees or collateral for any of the
foregoing; (vi) insurance policies or rights relating to any of the foregoing;
and (vii) cash and non-cash proceeds of any and all the foregoing.
Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate shall mean a rate per annum equal to the
- --------------------------------------
quotient obtained (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of
1%) by dividing (i) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate for such
Interest Period by (ii) 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.
Administrative Agency Fee shall mean the sum of $125,000 which shall be paid for
- -------------------------
the account of the Agent in accordance with Section 8.7 hereof to offset the
expenses and costs of the Agent in connection with (i) record keeping, periodic
examinations, analyzing and evaluating the Collateral and (ii) the
administration of this Agreement.
Anniversary Date shall mean March 5, 2000 and the same date in every year
- ----------------
thereafter.
Applicable Margin shall mean:
- -----------------
(a) until receipt of the certified financial statements furnished pursuant
to Section 7.8 for the Company's fiscal quarter ending on or about June 30,
1999, the following per annum percentage amounts for the corresponding types of
Loans:
1
<PAGE>
(i) for Revolving Loans, 1.625%, and
(ii) for Term Loans, 2.125% (including Refunding Loans with respect
to the Term Loans);
(b) thereafter, with respect to Revolving Loans and Term Loans, the
percentage amounts corresponding thereto on the following tables for Base Rate
Loans and LIBOR Loans, respectively, depending on the Debt/EBITDA Ratio as
determined from the financial statements furnished pursuant to in compliance
with Section 7.8, adjusted quarterly upon receipt of such financial statements:
Revolving Loans
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Debt/EBITDA greater than 6.0 to 1.0 less than or equal to 6.0 to 1.0 but less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.0
Ratio greater than 4.5 to 1.0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Rate 1.625% 1.375% 1.125%
Loans
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBOR Loans N/A 3.375% 3.125%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Term Loans
<TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Debt/EBITDA greater than 6.0 to 1.0 less than or equal to 6.0 to 1.0 but less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.0
Ratio greater than 4.5 to 1.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Rate 2.125% 1.875% 1.625%
Loans
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBOR Loans N/A 3.875% 3.625%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Availability shall mean at any time the excess of the sum of (i) the advance
- ------------
rate amount with respect to Eligible Accounts Receivable as such amount is
calculated pursuant to clause (i) of Section 3.1 of this Financing Agreement,
and (ii) the advance rate amount with respect to Eligible Finished Goods,
Eligible Raw Meat Inventory, and Eligible Supply Inventory as such amounts are
calculated pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 3.1 of this Financing Agreement
over the sum of (x) the outstanding aggregate amount of all Obligations and (y)
the Availability Reserve.
Availability Reserve shall mean an amount equal to the face amount of all
- --------------------
Letters of Credit.
Base Rate Loan shall mean a Revolving Loan which bears interest at the Chase
- --------------
Manhattan Bank Rate.
Borrowing Base Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
- --------------------------
2
<PAGE>
Business Day shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or any other day
- ------------
on which commercial banks are permitted by law to close in Atlanta, Georgia.
Capital Expenditures for any period shall mean the aggregate of all expenditures
- --------------------
of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such period
that in conformity with GAAP are required to be included in or reflected by the
property, plant or equipment or similar fixed asset account reflected in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Capital Lease shall mean any lease of property (whether real, personal or mixed)
- -------------
which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease or a Capital
Expenditure on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
CGW shall mean CGW Southeast III, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership.
- ---
Bridge Note shall mean, collectively, (i) the Convertible Subordinated
- -----------
Promissory Note of the Parent dated December 21, 1998 to CGW in the original
principal amount of $4,052,451.30, and any renewals or substitutions or
replacements therefor and (ii) the Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note of
the Company dated December 21, 1998 to the Parent in the original principal
amount of $4,052,451.30, and any renewals or substitutions or replacements
therefor.
Chase Manhattan Bank Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced by
- -------------------------
The Chase Manhattan Bank from time to time as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in the City of New York. (The prime rate is not intended to be
the lowest rate of interest charged by the Chase Manhattan Bank to its
borrowers).
Collateral shall mean all present and future Accounts, Equipment, Inventory,
- ----------
Documents of Title, General Intangibles and Real Estate of the Company.
Consolidated Balance Sheet shall mean a consolidated balance sheet for the
- --------------------------
Company and the consolidated subsidiaries of each eliminating all inter-company
transactions and prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidating Balance Sheet shall mean a Consolidated Balance Sheet plus
- ---------------------------
individual balance sheets for the Company, and the subsidiaries of each showing
all eliminations of inter-company transactions and prepared in accordance with
GAAP and including a balance sheet for the Company exclusively.
Current Liabilities shall mean, wherever used through out this Financing
- -------------------
Agreement, those liabilities of the Company which in accordance with GAAP, are
classified as "current", provided, however, that notwithstanding GAAP, the
Revolving Loans and the current portion of Permitted Indebtedness shall be
considered "current liabilities".
Customarily Permitted Liens shall mean
- ---------------------------
(i) liens of local or state authorities for franchise or other like taxes
provided the aggregate amounts of such liens shall not exceed $200,000 in the
aggregate at any one time;
3
<PAGE>
(ii) statutory liens of landlords and liens of carriers, warehousemen,
mechanics, materialmen and other like liens imposed by law, created in the
ordinary course of business and for amounts not yet due (or which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other appropriate actions
which are sufficient to prevent imminent foreclosure of such liens) and with
respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being
maintained in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) deposits made (and the liens thereon) in the ordinary course of
business (including, without limitation, security deposits for leases, surety
bonds and appeal bonds) in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the
performance of tenders, bids contracts (other than for the repayment or
guarantee of borrowed money or purchase money obligations), statutory
obligations and other similar obligations arising as a result of progress
payments under government contracts; and
(iv) easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement
agreements and utility agreements), encroachments, minor defects or
irregularities in title, variation and other restrictions, charges or
encumbrances (whether or not recorded) affecting the Real Estate and which are
listed in Schedule B of the title insurance policy delivered to CITBC herewith.
Debt/EBITDA Ratio shall mean the ratio determined by dividing (i) Funded Debt by
- -----------------
(ii) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter just ended and the immediately preceding 3
fiscal quarters.
Default shall mean any event specified in Section 10 hereof, whether or not any
- -------
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other
condition, event or act, has been satisfied.
Default Rate of Interest shall mean a rate of interest per annum equal to the
- ------------------------
sum of: (i) two percent (2%) and (ii) the rate otherwise in effect for Loans
outstanding hereunder.
Documentation Fee shall mean (i) the reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred
- -----------------
by the Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, exclusive of Out-of-
Pocket Expenses, and (ii) the Agent's standard fees relating to any and all
modifications, waivers, releases, amendments or additional collateral with
respect to this Financing Agreement, the Collateral and/or the Obligations.
Documents of Title shall mean all present and future warehouse receipts, bills
- ------------------
of lading, shipping documents, chattel paper, instruments and similar documents,
all whether negotiable or not and all goods and inventory relating thereto and
all cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing.
Early Termination Date shall mean the date on which the Company terminates this
- ----------------------
Financing Agreement or the Line of Credit which date is prior to the Anniversary
Date.
Early Termination Fee shall: (i) mean the fee the Agent, for the ratable
- ---------------------
account of the Lenders, is entitled to charge the Company in the event the
Company terminates the Line of Credit or this Financing Agreement on a date
prior to the fourth Anniversary Date; and (ii) be determined by
4
<PAGE>
multiplying (x) the aggregate committed amount of the Line of Credit in effect
at such time, by (y) the corresponding per annum percentage in effect during
such period:
Period Percentage
On and after the date of this 3.0%
Agreement up to and including
the first Anniversary Date
After the first Anniversary Date 2.0%
and including the second
Anniversary Date
After the second Anniversary Date 1.0%
After the fourth Anniversary Date 0%
EBIT shall mean, in any period, all earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries
- ----
on a consolidated basis before all interest and tax expenses of the Company and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for said period, determined in
accordance with GAAP.
EBITDA shall mean, in any period, all earnings of the Company and its
- ------
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis before all interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization expenses of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis for said period, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Eligible Accounts Receivable shall mean the gross amount of the Company's
- ----------------------------
accounts receivable that conform to the warranties contained herein and at all
times continue to be acceptable to the Agent in the exercise of its reasonable
business judgment, less, without duplication, the sum of A) any returns,
discounts, claims, credits and allowances of any nature (whether issued, owing,
granted or outstanding) and B) reserves for: (i) accounts receivable arising
from sales to the United States of America or to any agency, department or
division thereof; (ii) accounts receivable arising from foreign sales other than
sales (x) secured by stand-by letters of credit (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent) issued or confirmed by, and payable at, banks having
a place of business in the United States of America and payable in United States
currency, or (y) to customers residing in Canada provided such sales otherwise
comply with all of the other criteria for eligibility hereunder, are payable in
United States currency and such sales do not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at
any one time; (iii) accounts that remain unpaid more than sixty (60) days from
invoice date; (iv) contra accounts; (v) accounts receivable arising from sales
to Parent, any subsidiary, or to any company affiliated with the Company or
Parent in any way; (vi) accounts receivable arising from bill and hold (deferred
shipment) or consignment sales; vii) sales to any customer which is (a)
insolvent, (b) the debtor in any bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement,
reorganization, receivership or similar proceedings under any federal or state
law, (c) negotiating, or has called a meeting of its creditors for purposes of
negotiating, a compromise of its debts or (d) financially unacceptable to the
Agent or has a credit rating unacceptable to the Agent, in each case determined
in the exercise of
5
<PAGE>
its reasonable business judgment; (viii) accounts receivable arising from all
sales to any customer if fifty percent (50%) or more of the aggregate dollar
amount of all outstanding invoices, are unpaid more than sixty (60) days from
invoice date; (ix) the aggregate dollar amount of all warranty reserves; (x) any
other reasons deemed necessary by the Agent in its reasonable business judgment
and which are customary either in the commercial finance industry or in the
lending practices of the Agent; and (xi) an amount representing estimated
promotional allowances.
Eligible Finished Goods shall mean the gross amount of the Company's inventory
- -----------------------
consisting of finished goods that conforms to the warranties contained herein
and which at all times continues to be acceptable to the Agent in the exercise
of its reasonable business judgment less any (i) work-in-process; (ii) goods not
present in the United States of America, goods returned or rejected by the
Company's customers other than goods that are undamaged and resalable in the
normal course of business; (iii) goods in transit to third parties (other than
the Company's agents or warehouses); (iv) slow-moving or obsolete goods; and (v)
less any reserves required by the Agent in its reasonable discretion for special
order goods, market value declines and bill and hold (deferred shipment) or
consignment sales.
Eligible Raw Meat Inventory shall mean the gross amount of the Company's
- ---------------------------
inventory consisting of raw meat that conforms to the warranties contained
herein and which at all times continues to be acceptable to the Agent in the
exercise of its reasonable business judgment less any (i) work-in-process; (ii)
goods not present in the United States of America, goods returned or rejected by
the Company's customers other than goods that are undamaged and resalable in the
normal course of business; (iii) goods in transit to third parties (other than
the Company's agents or warehouses); (iv) slow-moving or obsolete goods; and (v)
less any reserves required by the Agent in its reasonable discretion for special
order goods, market value declines and bill and hold (deferred shipment) or
consignment sales.
Eligible Supply Inventory shall mean the gross amount of the Company's inventory
- -------------------------
consisting of ingredients and packaging that conforms to the warranties
contained herein and which at all times continues to be acceptable to the Agent
in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment less any (i) work-in-
process; (ii) goods not present in the United States of America, goods returned
or rejected by the Company's customers other than goods that are undamaged and
resalable in the normal course of business; (iii) goods in transit to third
parties (other than the Company's agents or warehouses); (iv) slow-moving or
obsolete goods; and (v) less any reserves required by the Agent in its
reasonable discretion for special order goods, market value declines and bill
and hold (deferred shipment) or consignment sales.
Equipment shall mean all present and hereafter acquired machinery, equipment,
- ---------
furnishings and fixtures, and all additions, substitutions and replacements
thereof, wherever located, together with all attachments, components, parts,
equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto and all proceeds
of whatever sort.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or 1974, as amended
- -----
from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time
to time.
6
<PAGE>
Executive Officers shall mean the Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer,
- ------------------
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President(s),
Senior Vice President(s), Treasurer, Controller and Secretary of the Company.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means the ratio determined by dividing (i) for any
- ---------------------------
given period, the total of (a) EBITDA, minus (b) Capital Expenditures not funded
with Loans or other Indebtedness permitted hereunder, minus (c) taxes paid in
cash by the Company, by (ii) for the same such period, the total of (x) Interest
Expense, plus (y) regularly scheduled principal payments due in such period with
respect to any Indebtedness.
Funded Debt shall mean all Indebtedness of the Company which matures in 12
- -----------
months or more from the date of measurement, but including any portion thereof
which is required to be paid within such 12 month period.
GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
- ----
America as in effect from time to time and for the period as to which such
accounting principles are to apply.
General Intangibles shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Uniform
- -------------------
Commercial Code as in effect and shall include, without limitation, all of the
Company's present and future right, title and interest in and to all tradenames,
trademarks (together with the goodwill associated therewith), patents, licenses,
customer lists, supply agreements and tax refunds, together with all monies and
claims for monies now or hereafter due and payable in connection with any of the
foregoing or otherwise, and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof.
Guaranty shall mean the guaranty of payment executed and delivered by the Parent
- --------
in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
Indebtedness shall mean, without duplication, all liabilities, contingent or
- ------------
otherwise, which are any of the following: (i) obligations in respect of money
(borrowed or otherwise) or for the deferred purchase price of property, services
or assets, other than Inventory, or (ii) lease obligations which, in accordance
with GAAP, have been, or which should be capitalized.
Interest Coverage Ratio shall mean a ratio determined as of the relevant
- -----------------------
calculation date by dividing EBIT by Interest Expense for the relevant period.
Interest Expense shall mean total interest obligations (paid or accrued) of the
- ----------------
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP on a basis consistent with the latest audited statements of the
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; provided, that Interest
--------
Expense shall not include amortization of deferred debt fees.
Interest Period shall mean with respect to each LIBOR Loan, the period
- ---------------
commencing on the date of such Loan and ending on the numerically corresponding
day in the first, second, third or sixth month thereafter, as the Company may
elect in the applicable Notice of LIBOR Loan; provided that: (i) any Interest
Period (subject to clause (iii) below) which would otherwise end on a day which
is not a LIBOR Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR
Business Day unless such LIBOR Business Day falls in another calendar month, in
which case
7
<PAGE>
such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding LIBOR Business Day; (ii)
any Interest Period which begins on the last LIBOR Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall, subject to clause (iii) below, end
on the last LIBOR Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and
(iii) no Interest Period may be selected which would otherwise end after the
Termination Date.
Inventory shall mean all of the Company's present and hereafter acquired
- ---------
merchandise, inventory and goods, and all additions, substitutions and
replacements thereof, wherever located, together with all goods and materials
used or usable in manufacturing, processing, packaging or shipping same; in all
stages of production- from raw materials through work-in-process to finished
goods -and all proceeds thereof of whatever sort.
Issuing Bank shall mean the bank issuing Letters of Credit for the Company.
- ------------
Lender shall mean CITBC and each additional Lender which may become a party
- ------
hereto from time to time in accordance with Section 12.5 of this Agreement.
Letters of Credit shall mean all letters of credit, whether standby or
- -----------------
documentary, issued with the assistance of CITBC by the Issuing Bank for or on
behalf of the Company.
Letter of Credit Guaranty shall mean any guaranty delivered by the Agent to the
- -------------------------
Issuing Bank of the Company's reimbursement obligation under the Issuing Bank's
reimbursement agreement, application for letter of credit or other like
document.
Letter of Credit Guaranty Fee shall mean the fee the Lenders, pro rata, may
- -----------------------------
charge the Company under Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of this Financing Agreement.
Leverage Ratio shall mean, on any date, the ratio determined by dividing Total
- --------------
Liabilities by Net Worth as of such date.
LIBOR Business Day shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollar
- ------------------
deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.
LIBOR Loan shall mean any Loan under this Agreement during the period in which
- ----------
it bears or is to bear interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate pursuant to
the applicable Notice of LIBOR Loan.
LIBOR Reserve Percentage shall mean for any day that percentage (expressed as a
- ------------------------
decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum
reserve requirement for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect
of "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or in respect of any other category of
liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on
LIBOR loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other
assets which includes loans by a non-United States office of any bank to United
States residents). The Adjusted London
8
<PAGE>
Interbank Offered Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.
Line of Credit shall mean the several commitments of each of the Lenders to make
- --------------
Revolving Loans pursuant to Article 3 of this Financing Agreement, to the
Company in the amount not to exceed at any time outstanding Twenty five million
Dollars ($25,000,000). Each Lender's commitment is in the amount set forth
immediately after its signature to this Agreement or as set forth in any
agreement whereby an additional or substituted Lender becomes a party to this
Agreement.
Line of Credit Fee shall: (i) mean the fee due to each of the Lenders, pro
- ------------------
rata, at the end of each month for the Line of Credit, and (ii) be determined by
multiplying the difference between (x) the Lenders' aggregate committed amount
of the Line of Credit, and (y) the average daily Revolving Loans plus the face
amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit of the Company for said month by
one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) per annum for the number of days in said
month.
Loan Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(k).
- --------------
Loan shall mean, as the context requires, a Revolving Loan or a Refunding Loan.
- ----
Loan Facility Fee shall mean the fee payable to the Lenders, pro rata in
- -----------------
accordance with, and pursuant to, the provisions of Section 8.7 of this
Financing Agreement.
Lockbox Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
- -----------------
Lockbox Bank has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
- ------------
London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") shall mean for the Interest Period of
- ---------------------------------------
such LIBOR loan, the rate per annum determined on the basis of the offered rate
for deposits in U.S. dollars of amounts equal or comparable to the principal
amount of such LIBOR Loan offered for a term comparable to such Interest Period,
which rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page effective as of 11:00 A.M.,
London time, 2 LIBOR Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest
Period, provided that (i) if more than one such offered rate appears on the
Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the "London Interbank Offered Rate" will be the
offered rate which is used in a majority of such quotations, if there is a
majority, otherwise the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the
next higher 1/100th of 1%) of such offered rates; (ii) if no such offered rates
appear on such page, the "London Interbank Offered Rate" for such Interest
Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next
higher 1/100th of 1%) of rates quoted by the Chase Manhattan Bank at
approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time, 2 LIBOR Business Days prior to the
first day of such Interest Period, for deposits in U.S. dollars offered by
leading European banks for a period comparable to such Interest Period in an
amount comparable to the principal amount of such LIBOR loan.
NationsBank Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement dated as of November 25,
- ----------------------------
1996 among the Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Agent Bank, and the
lenders parties thereto, as amended or supplemented as of the date hereof..
9
<PAGE>
Net Worth shall mean, as of any date of determination, the amount by which the
- ---------
assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries exceeds the liabilities
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with
GAAP, on a consistent basis with the latest audited statements of the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any non-cash write-
-------- -------
offs which are required to be taken due to a change in GAAP shall be added back
in calculating Net Worth for purposes hereof.
Notice of Base Rate Loan has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
- ------------------------
Notice of Borrowing has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
- -------------------
Notice of LIBOR Loan has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
- --------------------
Obligations shall mean all the Revolving Loans and all other loans and advances
- -----------
made or to be made by the Lenders (or by the Agent on their behalf) to the
Company or to others for the Company's account; any and all indebtedness and
obligations which may at any time be owing by the Company to the Agent and/or
the Lenders howsoever arising, whether now in existence or incurred by the
Company from time to time hereafter under this Agreement; whether secured by
pledge, lien upon or security interest in any of the Company's assets or
property or the assets or property of any other person, firm, entity or
corporation; whether such indebtedness is absolute or contingent, joint or
several, matured or unmatured, direct or indirect and whether the Company is
liable to the Agent or the Lenders for such indebtedness as principal, surety,
endorser, guarantor or otherwise. Obligations shall also include indebtedness
owing to the Agent and/or the Lenders by the Company under this Financing
Agreement and/or indebtedness or obligations incurred by, or imposed on, the
Agent or the Lenders as a result of environmental claims (other than as a result
of willful or grossly negligent actions of the Agent or the Lenders) arising out
of the Company's operation, premises or waste disposal practices or sites; the
Company's liability to the Agent or any of the Lenders as maker or endorser on
any promissory note or other instrument for the payment of money; the Company's
liability to the Agent or any of the Lenders under any instrument of guaranty or
indemnity, or arising under any guaranty, endorsement or undertaking which the
Agent or any of the Lenders may make or issue to others for the Company's
account, including any accommodation extended with respect to applications for
Letters of Credit, acceptance of drafts or endorsement of notes or other
instruments for the Company's account and benefit by the Agent or any of the
Lenders.
Operating Leases shall mean all leases of property (whether real, personal or
- ----------------
mixed) other than Capital Leases.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses shall mean all of the Agent's present and future expenses
- ----------------------
incurred relative to this Financing Agreement, whether incurred heretofore or
hereafter, which expenses shall include, without being limited to, the cost of
record searches, all costs and expenses incurred by the Agent in opening bank
accounts, depositing checks, receiving and transferring funds, and any charges
imposed on the Agent due to "insufficient funds" of deposited checks and the
Agent's standard fee relating thereto, any amounts paid by the Agent or any
Lender, incurred by or charged to the Agent or any Lender by the Issuing Bank
under the Letter of Credit Guaranty or the Company's Reimbursement Agreement,
Application for Letter of Credit or other like
10
<PAGE>
document which pertain either directly or indirectly to such Letters of Credit,
and the Agent's and the Lender's standard fees relating to the Letters of Credit
and any drafts thereunder, local counsel fees, title insurance premiums, real
estate survey costs, intangibles taxes, fees and taxes relative to the filing of
financing statements, costs of preparing and recording mortgages/deeds of trust
against the Real Estate and all expenses, costs and fees set forth in Section
10.3 of this Financing Agreement, and (without duplication) all other reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Agent and by the Lenders during the
existence of any Default or Event of Default.
Parent shall mean Gorges Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
- ------
Permitted Encumbrances shall mean: (i) liens expressly permitted, or consented
- ----------------------
to, by the Agent in writing; (ii) Purchase Money Liens; (iii) Customarily
Permitted Liens; (iv) liens granted the Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders by the Company; (v) liens of judgment creditors provided such liens do
not exceed, in the aggregate, at any time, $200,000 (other than liens bonded or
insured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent; and (vi) liens for taxes
not yet due and payable or which are being diligently contested in good faith by
the Company by appropriate proceedings and which liens are not (x) senior to the
liens of the Agent or (y) for taxes due the United States of America.
Permitted Indebtedness shall mean: (i) current indebtedness maturing in less
- ----------------------
than one year and incurred in the ordinary course of business for raw materials,
supplies, equipment, services, taxes or labor; (ii) the indebtedness secured by
the Purchase Money Liens; (iii) indebtedness under Capital Leases permitted by
Section 7.11, (iv) Subordinated Debt; (v) indebtedness arising under the Letters
of Credit and this Financing Agreement; (vi) deferred taxes and other expenses
incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (vii) other indebtedness
existing on the date of execution of this Financing Agreement and listed on
Exhibit E hereto and made a part hereof.
Permitted Uses shall mean the repayment in full of existing indebtedness to the
- --------------
lenders under the NationsBank Credit Agreement and to Parent in the amount of
$1,052,451.30 under the Bridge Note, to pay transactional costs and expenses,
and for general corporate purposes.
Prepayment Premium shall: (i) mean the amount due the Agent, for the ratable
- ------------------
account of the Lenders, by the Company upon a voluntary prepayment, in whole or
in part, of the Term Loans, prior to the fourth Anniversary Date, and (ii) be
computed by multiplying the amount so prepaid by (y) the corresponding per annum
percentage in effect during such period:
Period Percentage
On and after the date of this 3.0%
Agreement up to and including
the first Anniversary Date
After the first Anniversary Date 2.0%
and including the second
Anniversary Date
11
<PAGE>
After the second Anniversary Date 1.0%
After the fourth Anniversary Date 0%
Purchase Money Liens shall mean liens on any item of equipment acquired after
- --------------------
the date of this Financing Agreement provided that (i) each such lien shall
attach only to the property to be acquired, and (ii) the debt incurred in
connection with such acquisitions shall not exceed in the aggregate $1,000,000
in any fiscal year.
Real Estate shall mean the Company's fee and/or leasehold interests in the real
- -----------
property which has been, or will be, encumbered, mortgaged, pledged or assigned
to the Agent or its designee.
Refunding Loan shall mean the refinancing of any outstanding LIBOR Loan by a new
- --------------
LIBOR Loan or a Base Rate Loan, or any combination thereof permitted hereunder.
Required Lenders shall mean the Lenders holding at least 66 2/3% of (i) the
- ----------------
committed amount of the Line of Credit prior to the termination thereof in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the sum of the Obligations after such termination of the
Line of Credit.
Revolving Loans shall mean the loans and advances made, from time to time, to or
- ---------------
for the account of the Company by the Lenders under the Line of Credit pursuant
to Section 3 of this Financing Agreement.
Senior Notes shall mean the 11 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 of the
- ------------
Company in the original aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000, issued
pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture.
Senior Notes Indenture shall mean the Indenture dated as of November 25, 1996
- ----------------------
between the Company, as Issuer of the Senior Notes, and IBJ Schroder Bank &
Trust Company, as Trustee
Senior Noteholders shall mean the holders from time to time of the Senior Notes.
- ------------------
Subordinated Debt shall mean the debt due (i) CGW and the Parent under the
- -----------------
Bridge Note, (ii) the Senior Noteholders under the Senior Notes and (iii) any
other Subordinating Creditors, in each case which debt has been subordinated by
a subordination agreement or subordination provisions in a note, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent, to the prior payment and satisfaction of
the Obligations.
Subordinating Creditors shall mean (i) CGW and the Parent, with respect to the
- -----------------------
Bridge Note, (ii) the Senior Noteholders with respect to the Senior Notes and
(iii) the holders of any other note evidencing Subordinated Debt.
Surplus Cash shall mean for any fiscal year EBITDA, less the sum of (a) all
- ------------
interest obligations paid or due the Agent, for the ratable account of the
Lenders, by the Company, (b) the amount of principal repaid the Agent, for the
ratable account of the Lenders, on the Term Loans, (c) Capital
12
<PAGE>
Expenditures of the Company not funded with Loans or other Indebtedness
permitted hereunder, (d) any cash loss which is an "extraordinary" item in
accordance with GAAP which is otherwise excluded in calculating EBITDA, (e) the
amount of principal and interest payments with respect to other Funded Debt not
prohibited hereunder and the Bridge Note and (f) all federal, state and local
tax obligations of the Company.
Term Loans shall mean the term loans in the aggregate principal amount of
- ----------
$29,000,000 made by the Lenders pursuant to, and repayable in accordance with,
the provisions of Section 4 of this Financing Agreement.
Term Notes have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
- ----------
Total Liabilities shall mean total liabilities of the Company and its
- -----------------
consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, on a basis
consistent with the latest audited statements of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries.
Trademark Security Agreement shall mean the Trademark Security Agreement of even
- ----------------------------
date herewith, executed by the Company, as amended or supplemented from time to
time.
ARTICLE 2. Conditions Precedent
--------------------
SECTION 2.1 Initial Extension of Credit. The several obligations of each
---------------------------
Lender to make initial loans hereunder is subject to the satisfaction of, or
waiver of, immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of such loans,
the following conditions precedent:
(a) Lien Searches - The Agent shall have received tax, judgment
-------------
and Uniform Commercial Code searches satisfactory to the Agent for all
locations presently occupied or used by the Company.
(b) Casualty Insurance - The Company shall have delivered to the
------------------
Agent evidence satisfactory to the Agent that casualty insurance policies
listing the Agent as loss payee or mortgagee, as the case may be, are in
full force and effect, all as set forth in Section 7.5 of this Financing
Agreement.
(c) Mortgages/Deeds of Trust - The Company shall have executed
------------------------
and delivered to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, or to
an agent of a title insurance company acceptable to the Agent such
mortgages and deeds of trust as the Agent may reasonably require to obtain
first liens on the Real Estate for the ratable benefit of the Lenders.
(d) UCC Filings - Any documents (including without limitation,
-----------
financing statements) required to be filed in order to create, in favor of
the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a first and exclusive
perfected security interest in the Collateral with respect to which a
security interest may be perfected by a filing under the applicable Uniform
Commercial Code shall have been properly filed in each office in each
13
<PAGE>
jurisdiction required in order to create in favor of the Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, a perfected lien on the Collateral. The
Agent shall have received acknowledgment copies of all such filings (or, in
lieu thereof, the Agent shall have received other evidence satisfactory to
the Agent that all such filings have been made); and the Agent shall have
received evidence that all necessary filing fees and all taxes or other
expenses related to such filings have been paid in full.
(e) Title Insurance Policies - The Agent shall have received, in
------------------------
respect of each mortgage or deed of trust, a mortgagee's title policy
(which may be in the form of a marked up unconditional binder for such
insurance). Each such policy shall (i) be in an amount satisfactory to the
Agent; (ii) insure that the mortgage or deed of trust insured thereby
creates a valid first lien on the property covered by such mortgage or deed
of trust, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except those
acceptable to the Agent; (iii) name the Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the Lenders, as the insured thereunder; and (iv) contain such endorsements
and effective coverage as the Agent may reasonably request, including
without limitation the revolving line of credit endorsement. With regard to
title insurance policy for Real Estate located in Iowa, the policy may
contain an exception for any liens, encumbrances, encroachments or other
matters arising after November 27, 1996 at 12:03 p.m., the effective date
and time of the mortgagee's policy issued to NationsBank, N.A., in
connection with the NationsBank Credit Agreement. The Agent shall also have
received evidence that all premiums in respect of such policies have been
paid and that all charges for mortgage recording taxes, if any, shall have
been paid.
(f) Surveys - The Agent and the title insurance company issuing each
-------
policy referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph (each, a "Title
-----
Insurance Company") shall have received maps or plats of a perimeter or
-----------------
boundary of the site of each of the properties covered by the mortgages or
deeds of trust, dated a date satisfactory to the Agent and the relevant
Title Insurance Company prepared by an independent professional licensed
land surveyor satisfactory to the Agent and the relevant Title Insurance
Company, which maps or plats and the surveys on which they are based shall
be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for
Land Title Surveys jointly established and adopted by the American Land
Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping; and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, there shall be surveyed
and shown on the maps or plats or surveys the following: (i) the locations
on such sites of all the buildings, structures and other improvements and
the established building setback lines insofar as the foregoing affect the
perimeter or boundary of such property; (ii) the lines of streets abutting
the sites and width thereof; (iii) all access and other easements
appurtenant to the sites or necessary or desirable to use the sites; (iv)
all roadways, paths, driveways, easements, encroachments and overhanging
projections and similar encumbrances affecting the sites, whether recorded,
apparent from a physical inspection of the sites or otherwise known to the
surveyor; (v) any encroachments on any adjoining property by the building
structures and improvements on the sites; and (vi) if the site is
designated as being on a filed map, a legend relating the survey to said
map. Further, the survey shall (x) be certified to the Agent and the Title
Insurance Company and (y) contain a legend reciting as to whether or not
the site is located in a flood zone.
14
<PAGE>
(g) Examination & Verification- The Agent shall have completed to the
--------------------------
satisfaction of the Agent an examination and verification of the Accounts,
Inventory, books and records of the Company, a 12 month consolidated cash
budget projection (a copy of which shall have been delivered to the Agent
and the Lenders), and the Company's consolidated Financial statements for
the period ending September 30, 1998 (copies of which shall have been
delivered to the Agent and the Lenders).
(h) Guaranty - The Parent shall have executed and delivered to the
--------
Agent the Guaranty, in form acceptable to the Agent and the Lenders,
whereby the Parent guarantees all present and future Obligations of the
Company to the Agent and the Lenders.
(i) Opinions - Counsel for the Company and the Parent shall have
--------
delivered to the Agent opinions dated as of the date hereof satisfactory to
the Agent and the Lenders opining, inter alia, that, subject to the (i)
filing, priority and remedies provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code,
(ii) the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, insolvency statutes or other
like laws, (iii) the equity powers of a court of law and (iv) such other
matters as may be agreed upon with the Agent: (a) the Guaranty is valid,
binding and enforceable according to its terms; and (b) all documents of
the Company are (x) valid, binding and enforceable according to their
terms, (y) are duly authorized and (z) do not violate any terms,
provisions, representations or covenants in the charter or by-laws of the
Company or, to the best knowledge of such counsel, of any loan agreement,
mortgage, deed of trust, note, security or pledge agreement or indenture to
which the Company is a signatory or by which the Company or its assets are
bound.
(j) Pledge Agreement Parent shall (a) execute and deliver to the
----------------
Agent a pledge and security agreement and stock powers pledging to the
Agent as additional collateral for the Obligations of the Company all of
the issued and outstanding stock of the Company and, (b) deliver to the
Agent the stock certificates of the Company.
(k) Additional Documents - The Company shall have executed and
--------------------
delivered to the Agent all loan documents necessary to consummate the
lending arrangement contemplated between the Company and the Agent and the
Lenders, including, without limitation, the Term Notes, the Pledge
Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement and the Guaranty (all such loan
documents, including this Financing Agreement and all mortgages, deeds to
secure debt and deeds of trust pertaining to the Real Estate, as the same
may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time are herein referred
to as the "Loan Documents"). The terms of all Loan Documents shall be
satisfactory to the Agent and the Lenders in all respects.
(l) Bridge Note and Senior Notes - Parent and/or the Company shall
----------------------------
provide the Agent with a copy of the Bridge Note and the Senior Notes
Indenture, and the Agent shall be satisfied with the form and substance of
the subordination provisions contained in the Bridge Note and the Senior
Notes Indenture. It is understood and agreed by the parties hereto that:
(A) (i) this Financing Agreement is intended to be and is a
15
<PAGE>
replacement of the NationsBank Credit Agreement; and (ii) the Obligations
hereunder constitute (x) "Obligations under the "Credit Agreement", (y)
"Senior Bank Debt" and (z) "Senior Indebtedness" (as those terms are
defined in the Senior Notes Indenture) for all purposes under the Senior
Notes Indenture; and (B) this Financing Agreement is intended to be and is
a replacement of the "Credit Agreement" (as defined in the Bridge Notes);
and (ii) the Obligations hereunder constitute (x) "Obligations under the
"Credit Agreement", (y) "Senior Debt" (as defined in the Bridge Notes) for
all purposes under the Bridge Notes. Parent and/or the Company shall also
provide the Agent with copies of (1) an executed original notice to the
Trustee under the Indenture in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, which
the Agent may send to the Trustee, and (2) a letter from, and duly executed
by, the Parent and CGW in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G, which
letter shall include a negative pledge by CGW regarding the stock of the
Parent.
(m) Environmental Report - The Agent shall have received,
--------------------
environmental audit reports on (i) all of the Company's leasehold and fee
interests, and (ii) the Company's waste disposal practices. The reports
must (x) be satisfactory to the Agent and the Lenders and (y) not disclose
or indicate any liability (real or potential) stemming from the Company's
premises, its operations, its waste disposal practices or waste disposal
sites used by Company.
(n) Board Resolution - The Agent shall have received a copy of the
----------------
resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Parent
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of (i) this Financing
Agreement and the Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, respectively, and (ii) any
related agreements, in each case certified by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Company and the Parent as of the date hereof, together
with a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company
and the Parent as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of the
Company and the Parent executing this Financing Agreement and the Guaranty
and the Pledge Agreement, respectively, and any certificate or other
documents to be delivered by it pursuant hereto, together with evidence of
the incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary.
(o) Corporate Organization - The Agent shall have received (i) a copy
----------------------
of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Parent,
respectively, certified by the Secretary of State of its incorporation, and
(ii) a copy of the By-Laws (as amended through the date hereof) of the
Company and the Parent, and certified by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Company and the Parent, respectively.
(p) Officer's Certificate - The Agent shall have received an executed
---------------------
Officer's Certificate of the Company, satisfactory in form and substance to
the Agent, certifying that (i) the representations and warranties contained
herein are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date
hereof; (ii) the Company is in compliance with all of the terms and
provisions set forth herein; and (iii) no Event of Default, or any event
which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would
constitute an Event of Default, has occurred.
16
<PAGE>
(q) Absence of Default - No Default, Event of Default or material
------------------
adverse change in the financial condition, business, prospects, profits,
operations or assets of the Company shall have occurred.
(r) Appraisals - The Agent shall have received appraisals on the
----------
Company's fixed assets which appraisals shall be conducted by an appraiser
within 60 days of the date hereof.
(s) Lockbox Agreement - The Agent shall have received a duly executed
-----------------
Lockbox Agreement.
(t) Legal Restraints/Litigation - At the date of execution of this
---------------------------
Financing Agreement, there shall be no (x) litigation, investigation or
proceeding (judicial or administrative) pending or threatened against the
Company or the Parent or their respective assets, by any agency, division
or department of any county, city, state or federal government or (y) to
the best knowledge of the Company, suit, action, investigation or
proceeding (judicial or administrative) pending or threatened against the
Company or the Parent or their respective assets, which, in the reasonable
opinion of the Agent, if adversely determined could have a material adverse
effect on the business, operation, assets, financial condition or
Collateral of the Company and/or the Parent.
(u) Disbursement Authorization - The Company shall have delivered to
--------------------------
the Agent all information necessary for the Agent to issue wire transfer
instructions on behalf of the Company for the initial and subsequent loans
and/or advances to be made under this Agreement including, but not limited
to, disbursement authorizations in form acceptable to the Agent.
(v) Opening Availability - After giving effect to all Revolving Loans
--------------------
made and Letters of Credit issued at the closing of the transactions
described herein, the Company shall have Availability equal to or exceeding
$3,000,000.
(w) Obligations Brought Current - The Company shall have paid and
---------------------------
brought current any and all debts, obligations and payables of the Company
in accordance with their respective terms.
(x) Indemnification Letter - In the event any Loan made upon the
----------------------
execution and delivery of this Financing Statement is to be made as a LIBOR
Loan, the Company shall have executed and delivered to the Agent on the
date which is 3 days prior thereto an indemnification letter whereby the
Company shall agree to compensate the Lenders as required by Section 4.3.
(aa) Cash Flow Projection - The Agent shall have received a 12 month
--------------------
cash flow projection, including supporting income statements and balance
sheets, in form and substance acceptable to the Agent.
(bb) NationsBank Payoff Letter- The Agent shall have received from
-------------------------
NationsBank, N.A. a payoff letter in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent
17
<PAGE>
regarding payment of the obligations under the NationsBank Credit Agreement
and release of Liens pursuant thereto.
(cc) Landlord's and Warehouseman's Waivers - The Agent shall have
-------------------------------------
received landlord's and warehousemen's waivers, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent as to each of the following: (1) Corporate Office
located at 9441 IBJ Freeway, Suite 214, Dallas, Texas (lease--Lessor is
North Creek Business Park); (2) Warehouse located at 5150 Pulaski Street,
Dallas, Texas (warehouse operated by United States Cold Storage); (3)
Warehouse located at 1530 South Second Street, Cherokee, Iowa (warehouse
operated by Cloverleaf Cold Storage); (4) Warehouse located at 2800
Cloverleaf Court, Sioux City, Iowa (warehouse operated by Cloverleaf Cold
Storage), (5) Warehouse located at 1609 Eighteenth Street, LeMars, Iowa
(warehouse operated by Cloverleaf Cold Storage), (6) Warehouse located at
401 North Grove, Richardson, Texas (warehouse operated by Alfords
Refrigerated) and (7) Warehouse located at 200 North Loop 590, Harlingen,
Texas (warehouse operated by Valley International Cold Storage).
Upon the execution of this Financing Agreement and the initial disbursement of
loans hereunder, all of the above Conditions Precedent shall have been deemed
satisfied except as the Company, the Agent, and the Lenders shall otherwise
agree herein or in a separate writing.
Section 2.2 Conditions of Each Extension of Credit. The obligations of
--------------------------------------
each Lender to provide each extension of credit (including the initial extension
of credit) shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) No Event of Default - No Event of Default and no condition
-------------------
which would constitute an Event of Default with the giving of notice or
lapse of time shall exist;
(b) Representations and Warranties - The representations and
------------------------------
warranties contained herein shall be true and correct in all material
respects at the date of each extension of credit, except to the extent they
expressly relate to an earlier date;
(c) Notice of Borrowing - Receipt of a Notice of Borrowing;
-------------------
(d) Borrowing Base Certificate - Receipt by the Agent of a
--------------------------
Borrowing Base Certificate dated no more than 7 days prior to the extension
of credit, which Borrowing Base Certificate shall include supporting
schedules as required by the Agent; and
(e) Payment of Fees and Costs - The Company shall have paid the
-------------------------
balance of all fees and costs then payable as referenced herein.
The request by the Company for, and the acceptance by the Company of, each
extension of credit under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation
and warranty by the Company that the conditions specified above have been
satisfied and the after giving effect to such extension of credit the Company
shall continue to be in compliance with the advance rates set forth in Section
3.1 and with the Borrowing Base Certificate.
18
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 3. Revolving Loans
---------------
Section 3.1 Loans and Advances. Each of the Lenders agrees, subject to the
------------------
terms and conditions of this Financing Agreement from time to time, and within
(x) the Availability and (y) the Line of Credit (but subject to the Agent's
right, in its sole discretion, to which each of the Lenders hereby agrees, to
cause the Lenders to make "overadvances" as provided below), to make loans and
advances to the Company on a revolving basis (i.e. subject to the limitations
set forth herein, the Company may borrow, repay and re-borrow Revolving Loans
and refinance existing LIBOR Loans with Refunding Loans). Such loans and
advances shall be in amounts up to: (i) eighty five percent (85%) of the
outstanding Eligible Accounts Receivable of the Company, and (ii) the lesser of
(x) $10,000,000 or (y) the aggregate value (without duplication) of (A) 65%
Eligible Finished Goods and Eligible Raw Meat Inventory and (B) the lesser of
$1,000,000 or 40% of Eligible Supply Inventory, each as determined at the lower
of cost or market on a first-in first-out basis. Should the Agent for any
reason honor requests for advances in excess of the limitations set forth
herein, such advances shall be considered "overadvances" and shall be made in
the Agent's sole discretion, subject to any additional terms the Agent deems
necessary; provided, however, in no event will the aggregate principal amount of
-------- -------
all "overadvances" not approved by all of the Lenders exceed $1,000,000. No
single advance or overadvance hereunder may be outstanding more than thirty-six
(36) months from the date of such advance. The Company promises to pay to the
order of each Lender all of the outstanding Revolving Loans, with interest
thereon, as provided herein, and if not sooner, on the Termination Date along
with all other Obligations as the same become due from time to time. Revolving
Loans may be advanced as Base Rate Loans and/or LIBOR Loans. At the direction
of the Agent, the Lenders shall automatically and without request of the Company
make Revolving Loan advances to pay principal and interest payments on the Term
Loans, as and when they become due, and such advances shall be made as Base Rate
Loans.
Section 3.2 Accounts Receivable and Inventory Reports. In furtherance of
-----------------------------------------
the continuing assignment and security interest in the Company's Accounts, the
Company will, upon the creation of Accounts, execute and deliver to the Agent
(with a copy thereof to each Lender) weekly, in such form and manner as the
Agent may reasonably require, solely for the Agent's convenience in maintaining
records of collateral, a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B
(the "Borrowing Base Certificate") and setting forth thereon (or to which is
--------------------------
attached) such confirmatory schedules of Accounts as the Agent may reasonably
request, and such other appropriate reports designating, identifying and
describing the Accounts as the Agent may reasonably require. On a monthly basis,
the Company will execute and deliver to the Agent such confirmatory schedules of
Inventory as the Agent may reasonably require. In addition, upon the Agent's
request the Company shall provide the Agent with copies of agreements with, or
purchase orders from, the Company's customers, and copies of invoices to
customers, proof of shipment or delivery and such other documentation and
information relating to said Accounts and other collateral as the Agent may
reasonably require. Failure to provide the Agent with any of the foregoing shall
in no way affect, diminish, modify or otherwise limit the security interests
granted herein. The Company hereby authorizes the Agent to regard the Company's
printed name or rubber stamp signature on assignment schedules or invoices as
the equivalent of a manual signature by one of the Company's authorized officers
or agents.
19
<PAGE>
Section 3.3 Representations and Warranties Regarding Accounts Receivable
------------------------------------------------------------
and Inventory. The Company hereby represents and warrants that: each Account is
- -------------
based on an actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of
services to customers, made by the Company in the ordinary course of its
business; the goods and inventory being sold and the Accounts created are the
exclusive property of the Company (subject to the security interest of the
Agent) and are not and shall not be subject to any lien, consignment
arrangement, encumbrance, security interest or financing statement whatsoever,
other than the Permitted Encumbrances; the invoices evidencing such Accounts are
in the name of the Company; and the customers of the Company have accepted the
goods or services, owe and are obligated to pay the full amounts stated in the
invoices according to their terms, without dispute, offset, defense,
counterclaim or contra, except for disputes and other matters arising in the
ordinary course of business of which the Company has advised the Agent pursuant
to this Section 3.3. The Company confirms to the Agent and the Lenders that any
and all taxes or fees relating to its business, its sales, the Accounts or goods
relating thereto, are its sole responsibility and that all material taxes and
fees will be paid by the Company when due and that none of said taxes or fees
represent a lien on or claim against the Accounts. The Company also warrants
and represents that it is a duly and validly existing corporation and is
qualified in all states where the failure to so qualify would have a material
adverse effect on the business of the Company or the ability of the Company to
enforce collection of Accounts due from customers residing in that state. The
Company agrees to maintain books and records regarding Accounts in accordance
with current practices as of the date hereof and agrees that the books and
records of the Company will reflect the Agent's interest in the Accounts.
Section 3.4 Collections of Accounts Receivable; Application to Obligations.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Company shall direct the mailing of all items of payment with respect to
Accounts from its account debtors to a lockbox at a post-office box designated
by the Agent, or to such other additional or replacement post-office boxes
pursuant to the request of the Agent from time to time. The Agent shall have
unrestricted and exclusive access to such lockbox pursuant to a
lockbox agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent between the
Agent, a bank selected by the Agent (the "Lockbox Bank") and acceptable to the
Company, and the Company (a "Lockbox Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other
things, the Lockbox Bank shall transmit to the Depositary Accounts all checks,
cash, notes or other instruments or property received by the Company with
respect to any Accounts. Any checks, cash, notes or other instruments or
property received by the Company with respect to any Accounts shall be held by
the Company in trust for the Agent, separate from the Company' own property and
funds, and immediately turned over to the Agent with proper assignments or
endorsements by deposit to the special depository accounts in the Agent's name
designated by the Agent for such purposes (the "Depository Accounts"). All
-------------------
amounts received by the Agent in payment of Accounts will be credited to the
Company's accounts on the day received, unless received after 2:00 P.M.
(Atlanta, Georgia time), in which case such amounts shall be credited to the
Depository Accounts on the next succeeding Business Day. No checks, drafts or
other instrument received by the Agent shall constitute final payment to the
Agent unless and until such instruments have actually been collected. All
amounts deposited to the Depositary Accounts shall be applied by the Agent,
without prior notice to or consent of the Company, to payment of outstanding
principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on and fees payable in connection
with the Revolving Loans; provided, however, that (i) such application shall be
-------- -------
applied first to any Base Rate Loans outstanding and, (ii) any remaining
20
<PAGE>
amount shall be retained by the Agent and applied to LIBOR Loans only at the end
of the Interest Period.
Section 3.5 Notification Regarding Collateral Value; Credits and Returned
-------------------------------------------------------------
Goods. The Company agrees to notify the Agent promptly of any matters
- -----
materially affecting the value, enforceability or collectibility of any Account
and of all material customer disputes, offsets, defenses, counterclaims,
returns, rejections and all reclaimed or repossessed merchandise or goods. The
Company agrees to issue credit memoranda promptly (with duplicates to the Agent
upon request after the occurrence of an Event of Default) upon accepting returns
or granting allowances, and may continue to do so until the Agent, at the
direction of the Required Lenders, has notified the Company that an Event of
Default has occurred and that all future credits or allowances are to be made
only after the Agent's prior written approval. Upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default and until such time as such Event of Default is waived or cured to
the Lenders' and the Agent's satisfaction in accordance with the terms hereof
and on notice from the Agent, the Company agrees that all returned, reclaimed or
repossessed merchandise or goods shall be set aside by the Company, marked with
the Agent's name and held by the Company for the Agent's account as owner and
assignee.
Section 3.6 Loan Account. The Agent and each Lender shall maintain a
------------
separate account on its books in the Company's name in which the Company will be
charged with loans and advances made by the Lenders to it or for its account,
and with any other Obligations, including, with respect to the Agent, any and
Out-of-Pocket Expenses which the Agent may incur in connection with the exercise
by or for the Agent of any of the rights or powers herein conferred upon the
Agent, or in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding to enforce
or protect any rights of the Lenders by the Agent in connection with this
Financing Agreement or the Collateral assigned hereunder, or any Obligations
owing to the Agent and/or the Lenders by the Company. The Company will be
credited with all amounts received by the Agent and the Lenders from the Company
or from others for the Company's account, including, as above set forth, all
amounts received by the Agent in payment of assigned Accounts and such amounts
will be applied to payment of the Obligations. In no event shall prior recourse
to any Accounts or other security granted to or by the Company be a prerequisite
to the Lender's right to demand payment of any Obligation. Further, it is
understood that neither the Agent nor the Lenders shall have no obligation
whatsoever to perform in any respect any of the Company's contracts or
obligations relating to the Accounts.
Section 3.7 Monthly Statements. After the end of each month, the Agent
------------------
shall promptly send the Company a statement showing the accounting for the
charges, loans, advances and other transactions occurring among the Agent, the
Lenders and the Company during that month. The monthly statements shall be
deemed correct and binding upon the Company and shall constitute an account
stated between the Company and the Lenders unless the Agent receives a written
statement of the exceptions within thirty (30) days of the date of the monthly
statement.
Section 3.8 Existing Obligations. The Company hereby waives notice of
--------------------
acceptance hereof as well as presentment, demand, protest and notice of non-
payment and protest as to this Financing Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
with respect to any other document,
21
<PAGE>
instrument or agreement to which it is a party. The Company waives any and all
defenses based on suretyship, guaranty or any other applicable law, including
without limitation all rights and defenses arising out of (i) an election of
remedies by the Agent or any of the Lenders or (ii) protections afforded to the
Company pursuant to antideficiency or similar laws limiting or discharging the
Company's obligations to the Agent or any of the Lenders.
ARTICLE 4. The Term Loans; Revolving Loan Mechanisms
-----------------------------------------
Section 4.1 Term Loans.
----------
(a) The Company hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent, for
each Lender, a term note, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto
(individually, a "Term Note" and collectively, the "Term Notes"), payable to
--------- ----------
such Lender, in the amount of its Commitment, to evidence the Term Loans to be
extended by the Lenders.
(b) Upon such delivery of such Term Notes, each of the Lenders (severally,
but not jointly) hereby agrees to extend to the Company its ratable share (in
the same percentage which its Revolving Loan commitment bears to the aggregate
Revolving Loan commitment of all Lenders) of the Term Loans, in the aggregate
principal amount of $29,000,000.
(c) The principal amount of the Term Loans shall be repaid the Agent, for
the ratable account of the Lenders, by the Company by: (i) fifty nine (59) equal
monthly principal installments of $355,000 each, followed by (ii) one (1)
installment of $8,055,000, whereof the first installment shall be due and
payable on April 1, 1999 and the subsequent installments shall be due and
payable on the first business day of each month thereafter until paid in full.
(d) In the event this Financing Agreement or the Line of Credit is
terminated by either the Agent or the Company for any reason whatsoever, the
Term Loans shall become due and payable on the effective date of such
termination notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Promissory Note
or this Financing Agreement.
(e) The Company may prepay at any time, at its option, in whole or in
part, the Term Loans, provided that on each such prepayment, the Company shall
pay: (i) accrued interest on the principal so prepaid to the date of such
prepayment and (ii) the Prepayment Premium, if any.
(f) In the event the Company has Surplus Cash in any fiscal year beginning
October 4, 1998, the Company must, within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year
in which such Surplus Cash accrues, make a Mandatory Prepayment of the Term
Loans by an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of said Surplus Cash.
(g) Each prepayment shall be applied to the then last maturing
installments of principal of the Term Loans.
(h) The Company hereby authorizes the Agent to charge its Revolving Loan
account with the amount of all amounts due under this Section 4.1 as such
amounts become due. The
22
<PAGE>
Company confirms that any charges which the Agent may so make to its account as
herein provided will be made as an accommodation to the Company and solely at
the Agent's discretion.
Section 4.2 Notices of Borrowings.
---------------------
(a) The Company, upon a request for any LIBOR Loan hereunder, shall give
the Agent notice (a "Notice of LIBOR Loan"), which shall be substantially in the
--------------------
form of Exhibit C, prior to 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) at least 3
Business Days before each LIBOR Loan, specifying:
(i) the date of such Loan, which shall be a LIBOR Business Day in
the case of a LIBOR Loan,
(ii) the aggregate amount of such Loan, and
(iii) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject
to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period.
Each LIBOR Loan requested hereunder shall be in an aggregate principal amount of
$1,000,000 or any larger multiple of $500,000 (except that any such Loan
requested may be in the aggregate amount of the unused commitments of the
Lenders under the Line of Credit).
(b) The Company, upon request for any Base Rate Loan hereunder, shall give
the Agent notice (a "Notice of Base Rate Loan"), which shall be substantially
-------------------------
in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto; a Notice of Base Rate Loan and a
Notice of LIBOR Loan are each referred to herein as a "Notice of Borrowing")
-------------------
prior to 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia, time) on the day of such Loan specifying
the aggregate amount of such Loan and the date of such Loan, which shall be a
Business Day.
Section 4.3 LIBOR Loans.
-----------
(a) Upon the Agent's receipt of a Notice of LIBOR Loan, the Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender's ratable
share of such Loan and such request for a Revolving Loan and Notice of LIBOR
Loan shall not thereafter be revocable by the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Financing
Agreement, no LIBOR Loan may be made (i) if there shall have occurred a Default
or an Event of Default, which Default or Event of Default shall not have been
cured or waived or (ii) while the Company's then current Debt/EBITDA Ratio
exceeds 6.0 to 1.0; in either event all Refunding Loans made thereafter shall be
made solely as Base Rate Loans (but shall bear interest at the Default Rate of
Interest, if applicable).
(c) In the event the Company's Debt/EBITDA Ratio exceeds 6.0 to 1.0, the
Company shall immediately prepay, subject to Section 4.4, all outstanding LIBOR
Loans.
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(d) In the event that a Notice of LIBOR Loan fails to specify whether the
Loans requested are to be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans, such Loans shall be
made as Base Rate Loans.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, there shall
not be more than 6 Interest Periods in effect at any given time.
(f) Whenever any payment of principal of or interest on the LIBOR Loans
shall be due on a day which is not a LIBOR Business Day, the date for payment
thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day unless such
LIBOR Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the date for
payment thereof shall be the next preceding LIBOR Business Day.
Section 4.4 LIBOR Loan Compensation
-----------------------
(a) If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
(i) the Agent determines that deposits in dollars (in the
applicable amounts) are not being offered in the relevant market for
such Interest Period, or
(ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate, as the case may be, as
reasonably determined by the Agent will not adequately and fairly
reflect the cost to any of the Lenders of funding the relevant type of
LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period, the Agent shall forthwith give
notice thereof to the Company whereupon until the Agent notifies the
Company that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no
longer exist, the obligations of the Lenders to make the type of LIBOR
Loans specified in such notice shall be suspended. Unless the Company
notifies the Agent at least 2 Business Days before the date of any
Loan of such type of LIBOR Loans for which a Notice of LIBOR Loan has
previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, such
Loan shall instead be made as a Base Rate Loan.
(b) If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law,
rule or regulation, or any change therein or any existing or future law,
rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof (any such agency
being referred to as an "Authority" and any such event being referred to as
a "Change of Law"), or compliance by any Lender or its affiliate (or their
lending offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) of any Authority shall make it unlawful or impossible for any
Lender or its affiliate (or their lending offices) to make, maintain or
fund its LIBOR Loans, the Agent shall so notify the Company, whereupon
until the Agent notifies the Company that the circumstances giving rise to
such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make
LIBOR Loans shall be suspended. If any Lender shall determine that it may
not lawfully continue to maintain and fund any of its outstanding LIBOR
Loans to maturity and shall so specify in such notice, the Company shall
immediately prepay in full the then outstanding principal amount of each
LIBOR Loan of such Lender, together with accrued interest
24
<PAGE>
thereon. Concurrently with prepaying each such LIBOR Loan, the Company
shall borrow a Base Rate Loan in an equal principal amount from such
Lender, and such
(c) If after the date hereof, a change of law or compliance by any
Lender or its affiliate (or their lending offices) with any request or
directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Authority:
(i) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
deposit or similar requirement (including, without limitation, any
such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, but excluding with respect to any LIBOR Loan any such
requirement included in an applicable LIBOR Reserve Percentage)
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit
extended by, any Lender or its affiliate (or their lending offices);
or
(ii) shall impose on any Lender, or its affiliate (or their
lending offices) or on the United States market for the London
interbank market any other condition affecting its LIBOR Loans or its
obligation to make LIBOR Loans; and the result of any of the foregoing
is to increase the cost to such Lender (or their lending offices) of
making or maintaining any Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum
received or receivable by such Lender, or its affiliate (or their
lending offices) under this Agreement with respect thereto, by an
amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then, within 15 days
after demand upon the Company by such Lender, the Company shall pay to
such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender for such increased cost or reduction; provided that the Lenders
agree that they will charge all of their respective customers who are
similarly situated with such increased costs without discrimination.
(d) If any Lender shall have determined that after the date hereof
the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender or its affiliate (or
their lending offices) with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any Authority, has or
would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or
its affiliate's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a
level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for such
adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or
its affiliate's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount
deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, within 15
days after demand upon the Company by such Lender, the Company shall pay to
such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender for such reduction; provided that the Lenders agree that they will
charge all of their respective customers who are similarly situated with
such increased costs without discrimination.
(e) Each Lender will promptly notify the Company of any event of
which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle
such Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section and will designate a
different lending office if such
25
<PAGE>
designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such
compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender. A certificate of any Lender claiming
compensation under this Section and setting forth the additional amount or
amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender may use any
reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
(f) The provisions of this Section shall be applicable with respect
to any participant, assignee or other transferee of each Lender, and any
calculations required by such provisions shall be made based upon the
circumstances of such participant, assignee or other transferee; provided,
--------
that no participant shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under
this Section 4.4 than Lender selling such participation would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such
transfer is made with the Company's prior written consent or by reason of
the provisions of Section 4.4(e) requiring such Lender to designate a
different Lending Office under certain circumstances or at a time when the
circumstances giving rise to such greater payment did not exist.
(g) If (i) the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain any type
of LIBOR Loans has been suspended pursuant to this Section or (ii) any
Lender has demanded compensation under this Section, and the Company shall,
by at least 5 LIBOR Business Days' prior notice to such Lender, have
elected that the provisions of this paragraph shall apply to such Lender,
then, unless and until such Lender notifies the Company that the
circumstances giving rise to such suspension or demand for compensation no
longer apply:
(i) all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender as
LIBOR Loans shall be made instead as Base Rate Loans, and
(ii) after each of its LIBOR Loans has been repaid, all payments
of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such LIBOR
Loans shall be applied to repay its Base Rate Loans instead.
(h) Upon the request of any Lender delivered to the Company, the
Company shall pay to such Lender such amount or amounts as shall compensate
such Lender for any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender as a
result of:
(i) any payment or prepayment (pursuant to this Section or
otherwise) of a LIBOR Loan on a date other than the last day of an
Interest Period for a LIBOR Loan (except under the circumstances
described in Section 4.2(b)); or
(ii) any failure by the Company to borrow a LIBOR Loan on the
date for the LIBOR Loan of which such LIBOR Loan is a part specified
in the applicable Notice of LIBOR Loan delivered pursuant hereto; such
compensation to include, without limitation, an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of (x) the amount of interest which would have accrued
on the amount so paid or prepaid or not prepaid or borrowed for the
period from the date of such payment, prepayment
26
<PAGE>
or failure to prepay or borrow to the last day of the then current
Interest Period for a LIBOR Loan (or, in the case of a failure to
prepay or borrow, the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan which would
have commenced on the date of such failure to prepay or borrow) at the
applicable rate of interest for such LIBOR Loan provided for herein
over (y) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such
Lender) such Lender would have paid on a reasonably equivalent
investment of comparable amounts having terms comparable to such
period placed with it for such investment.
Section 4.5 Agent and Lender Advance Mechanics. Unless the Agent
----------------------------------
determines that any applicable condition specified in Article 2 hereof has
not been satisfied, the Agent will make each Revolving Loan requested by
the Company available to the Company. Not later than 12:00 P.M. (Atlanta,
Georgia time) on the last Business Day of each week (each a Settlement
----------
Date), each Lender shall make available to the Agent its ratable share of
----
all (i) outstanding Revolving Loans, plus accrued interest thereon at a
rate per annum equal to the rate in effect pursuant to Section 8.1 for each
such Revolving Loan for each day during the period from the date of such
Revolving Loan until such sum shall be paid in full, and (ii) any Revolving
Loans requested on such date by the Company pursuant to any Notice of
Borrowing, in Federal or other funds immediately available in Atlanta,
Georgia to the Agent at its address pursuant to Section 12.7. Unless the
Agent receives notice from a Lender, at the Agent's address referred to in
or specified pursuant to Section 12.7, no later than 4:00 P.M. (Atlanta,
Georgia time) on the Business Day before the date a Revolving Loan is
requested by the Company, stating that such Lender will not make any such
Revolving Loan amounts available to the Agent on the next Settlement Date,
the Agent shall be entitled to assume that such Lender will make such
Revolving Loan on the next Settlement Date and, in reliance on such
assumption, the Agent will make available such Lender's ratable share of
such Revolving Loan to the Company for the account of such Lender. If such
Lender does not in fact make its ratable share of such Revolving Loan
available on any Settlement Date, the Agent shall be entitled to recover
such Lender's ratable share from such Lender or the Company (and for such
purpose shall be entitled to charge such amount to any account of any of
the Company maintained with the Agent), together with interest thereon for
each day during the period from the date of such Revolving Loan until such
sum shall be paid in full at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect
pursuant to Section 8.1 for each such day during such period, provided that
--------
(i) any such payment by the Company of such Lender's ratable share and
interest thereon shall be without prejudice to any rights that the Company
may have against such Lender and (ii) until such Lender has paid its
ratable share of such Revolving Loan, together with interest pursuant to
the foregoing, it will have no interest in or rights with respect to such
Revolving Loan for any purpose hereunder.
Section 4.6 Payment Free of Withholding Taxes.
---------------------------------
(a) All payments of principal, interest and fees and all other
amounts to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement with respect
to any Loan or fee relating thereto shall be paid without deduction for,
and free from, any tax, imposts, levies, duties,
27
<PAGE>
deductions, or withholdings of any nature now or at anytime hereafter
imposed by any governmental authority or by any taxing authority thereof or
therein excluding in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on or measured
by its net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction
under the laws of which such Lender is organized or any political
subdivision thereof and, in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its
income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction of such
Lender's applicable lending office or any political subdivision thereof
(all such non-excluded taxes, imposts, levies, duties, deductions or
withholdings of any nature being Taxes). In the event that the Company is
-----
required by applicable law to make any such withholding or deduction of
Taxes with respect to any Loan or fee or other amount, the Company shall
pay such deduction or withholding to the applicable taxing authority, shall
promptly furnish to any Lender in respect of which such deduction or
withholding is made all receipts and other documents evidencing such
payment and shall pay to such Lender additional amounts as may be necessary
in order that the amount received by such Lender after the required
withholding or other payment shall equal the amount such Lender would have
received had no such withholding or other payment been made. If no
withholding or deduction of Taxes are payable in respect to any Loan or fee
relating thereto, the Company shall furnish any Lender, at such Lender's
request, a certificate from each applicable taxing authority or an opinion
of counsel acceptable to such Lender, in either case stating that such
payments are exempt from or not subject to withholding or deduction of
Taxes. If the Company fails to provide such original or certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment of Taxes or certificate(s) or opinion of counsel
of exemption, the Company hereby agrees to compensate such Lender for, and
indemnify it with respect to, the tax consequences of the Company's failure
to provide evidence of tax payments or tax exemption.
(b) Each Lender which is not organized under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof agrees, as soon as practicable after receipt by
it of a request by the Company to do so, to file all appropriate forms and
take other appropriate action to obtain a certificate or other appropriate
document from the appropriate governmental authority in the jurisdiction
imposing the relevant Taxes, establishing that it is entitled to receive
payments of principal and interest under this Agreement without deduction
and free from withholding of any Taxes imposed by such jurisdiction;
provided that if it is unable, for any reason, to establish such exemption,
--------
or to file such forms and, in any event, during such period of time as such
request for exemption is pending, the Company shall nonetheless remain
obligated under the terms of the immediately preceding paragraph.
(c) In the event any Lender receives a refund of any Taxes paid by
the Company pursuant hereto, it will pay to the Company the amount of such
refund promptly upon receipt thereof; provided that if at any time
--------
thereafter it is required to return such refund, the Company shall promptly
repay to it the amount of such refund.
ARTICLE 5. Letters of Credit
-----------------
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In order to assist the Company in establishing or opening Letters of Credit
with an Issuing Bank to cover the purchase of inventory, equipment or otherwise,
the Company has requested the Agent to join in the applications for such Letters
of Credit, and/or guarantee payment or performance of such Letters of Credit and
any drafts or acceptances thereunder through the issuance of the Letters of
Credit Guaranty, thereby lending the Agent's credit to the Company and the Agent
has agreed to do so. These arrangements shall be handled by the Agent subject
to the terms and conditions set forth below.
Section 5.1 Assistance in Obtaining Letters of Credit. The amount,
-----------------------------------------
purpose and extent of the Letters of Credit and changes or modifications thereof
by the Company and/or the Issuing Bank of the terms and conditions thereof shall
in all respects be subject to the prior approval of the Agent in the exercise of
its reasonable discretion provided however, that: (i) in no event may the
aggregate amount of all such outstanding Letters of Credit exceed, in the
aggregate, at any one time $3,000,000, and (ii) the Letter of Credit and all
documentation in connection therewith shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Company and the Agent, and the Issuing Bank. Each Lender
hereby agrees that it has a risk participation with respect to each Letter of
Credit Guaranty in a ratable amount in accordance with the percentage which its
Revolving Loan commitment bears to the Revolving Loan commitment of all Lenders.
Each Lender hereby agrees that it has a risk participation with respect to each
Letter Credit Guaranty in a ratable amount in accordance with the percentage
which its Revolving Loan commitment bears to the Revolving Loan commitment of
all Lenders and that upon any payments made to the Issuing Bank under the Letter
of Credit Guaranty, each of the Lenders shall fund to the Agent its ratable
share thereof promptly upon the request of the Agent, if the Agent has not been
reimbursed therefor by the Company.
Section 5.2 Charges to Loan Account. The Agent shall have the right,
-----------------------
without notice to the Company, to charge the Company's account on the Lenders'
books with the amount of any and all indebtedness, liability or obligation of
any kind incurred by the Agent or any of the Lenders under the Letters of Credit
Guaranty at the earlier of (i) payment by the Agent under the Letters of Credit
Guaranty, or (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default. Any amount charged to
Company's loan account shall be deemed a Revolving Loan hereunder and shall
incur interest at the rate provided in Section 8.1 of this Financing Agreement.
Section 5.3 Indemnification. The Company unconditionally indemnifies
---------------
CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders and holds CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders
harmless from any and all loss, claim or liability incurred by the CITBC, the
Agent or the Lenders arising from any transactions or occurrences relating to
Letters of Credit established or opened for the Company's account, the
collateral relating thereto and any drafts or acceptances thereunder, and all
Obligations thereunder, including any such loss or claim due to any action taken
by any Issuing Bank, other than for any such loss, claim or liability arising
out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct by CITBC, the Agent or a
Lender (with respect to its own actions) under the Letters of Credit Guaranty.
The Company further agrees to hold CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders harmless
from any errors or omission, negligence or misconduct by the Issuing Bank. The
Company's unconditional obligation to CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders hereunder
shall not be modified or diminished for any reason or in any manner whatsoever,
other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
CITBC, the Agent, or a Lender (with respect to its
29
<PAGE>
own actions). The Company agrees that any charges incurred by CITBC, the Agent
or a Lender for the Company's account by the Issuing Bank shall be conclusive on
and may be charged to the Company's account.
Section 5.4 Exculpation. Neither CITBC, the Agent, nor the Lenders shall
-----------
be responsible for: the existence, character, quality, quantity, condition,
packing, value or delivery of the goods purporting to be represented by any
documents; any difference or variation in the character, quality, quantity,
condition, packing, value or delivery of the goods from that expressed in the
documents; the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of any documents or of any
endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any
or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; the time, place,
manner or order in which shipment is made; partial or incomplete shipment, or
failure or omission to ship any or all of the goods referred to in the Letters
of Credit or documents; any deviation from instructions; delay, default, or
fraud by the shipper and/or anyone else in connection with the Collateral or the
shipping thereof; or any breach of contract between the shipper or vendors and
the Company. Furthermore, without being limited by the foregoing, neither
CITBC, the Agent nor the Lenders shall be responsible for any act or omission
with respect to or in connection with any Collateral.
Section 5.5 Actions by the Agent. The Company agrees that any action
--------------------
taken by CITBC, the Agent or the Lenders, if taken in good faith, or any action
taken by any Issuing Bank, under or in connection with the Letters of Credit,
the guarantees, the drafts or acceptances, or the Collateral, shall be binding
on the Company and shall not put CITBC, the Agent or the Lenders in any
resulting liability to the Company. In furtherance thereof, CITBC, the Agent and
each of the Lenders shall have the full right and authority to clear and resolve
any questions of non-compliance of documents; to give any instructions as to
acceptance or rejection of any documents or goods; to execute any and all
steamship or airways guaranties (and applications therefore), indemnities or
delivery orders; to grant any extensions of the maturity of, time of payment
for, or time of presentation of, any drafts, acceptances, or documents; and to
agree to any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications, changes or
cancellations of any of the terms or conditions of any of the applications,
Letters of Credit, drafts or acceptances; all in CITBC's, the Agent's or such
Lender's sole name (as the case may be), and the Issuing Bank shall be entitled
to comply with and honor any and all such documents or instruments executed by
or received solely from CITBC, the Agent or such Lender, all without any notice
to or any consent from the Company.
Section 5.6 Limitations on Actions by the Company. Without the Agent's
-------------------------------------
express consent and endorsement in writing, at the direction of the Required
Lenders, the Company agrees: (i) not to execute any and all applications for
steamship or airway guaranties, indemnities or delivery orders; to grant any
extensions of the maturity of, time of payment for, or time of presentation of,
any drafts, acceptances or documents; or to agree to any amendments, renewals,
extensions, modifications, changes or cancellations of any of the terms or
conditions of any of the applications, Letters of Credit, drafts or acceptances;
and (ii) after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is not cured within
any applicable grace period, if any, or waived by the Agent, not to (a) clear
and resolve any questions of non-compliance of documents, or (b) give any
instructions as to acceptances or rejection of any documents or goods.
30
<PAGE>
Section 5.7 Compliance with Laws; Responsibility for Taxes. The Company
----------------------------------------------
agrees that any necessary import, export or other licenses or certificates for
the import or handling of the Collateral will have been promptly procured; all
foreign and domestic governmental laws and regulations in regard to the shipment
and importation of the Collateral, or the financing thereof will have been
promptly and full complied with; and any certificates in that regard that the
Agent may at any time request will be promptly furnished. In this connection,
the Company warrants and represents that all shipments made under any such
Letters of Credit are in accordance with the laws and regulations of the
countries in which the shipments originate and terminate, and are not prohibited
by any such laws and regulations. The Company assumes all risk, liability and
responsibility for, and agrees to pay and discharge, all present and future
local, state, federal or foreign taxes, duties, or levies. Any embargo,
restriction, laws, customs or regulations of any country, state, city, or other
political subdivision, where the Collateral is or may be located, or wherein
payments are to be made, or wherein drafts may be drawn, negotiated, accepted,
or paid, shall be solely the Company's risk, liability and responsibility.
Section 5.8 Subrogation. Upon any payments made to the Issuing Bank under
-----------
the Letter of Credit Guaranty, CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders shall acquire by
subrogation, any rights, remedies, duties or obligations granted or undertaken
by the Company to the Issuing Bank in any application for Letters of Credit, any
standing agreement relating to Letters of Credit or otherwise, all of which
shall be deemed to have been granted to CITBC, the Agent or the Lenders and
apply in all respects to the CITBC, the Agent and the Lenders and shall be in
addition to any rights, remedies, duties or obligations contained herein.
ARTICLE 6. Collateral
----------
Section 6.1 Grant of Security Interest. As security for the prompt
--------------------------
payment in full of all loans and advances made and to be made to the Company
from time to time by the Lenders pursuant hereto, as well as to secure the
payment in full of the other Obligations, the Company hereby pledges and grants
to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a continuing general lien
upon and security interest in all of its:
(i) present and hereafter acquired Inventory;
(ii) present and hereafter acquired Equipment;
(iii) present and future Accounts;
(iv) present and future Documents of Title;
(v) present and future General Intangibles; and
(vi) Real Estate.
Section 6.2 Scope of Security Interest. The security interests granted
--------------------------
hereunder shall extend and attach to:
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(i) All Collateral which is presently in existence and which is
owned by the Company or in which the Company has any interest, whether held
by the Company or others for its account, and, if any Collateral is
Equipment, whether the Company's interest in such Equipment is as owner or
lessee or conditional vendee;
(ii) All Equipment whether the same constitutes personal
property or fixtures, including, but without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, all dies, jigs, tools, benches, tables, accretions, component
parts thereof and additions thereto, as well as all accessories, motors,
engines and auxiliary parts used in connection with or attached to the
Equipment; and
(iii) All Inventory and any portion thereof which may be
returned, rejected, reclaimed or repossessed by either the Agent or the
Company from the Company's customers, as well as to all supplies, goods,
incidentals, packaging materials, labels and any other items which
contribute to the finished goods or products manufactured or processed by
the Company, or to the sale, promotion or shipment thereof.
Section 6.3 Protection and Sale of Inventory. The Company agrees to
--------------------------------
safeguard, protect and hold all Inventory for the Agent's account and make no
disposition thereof except in the regular course of the business of the Company
as herein provided. Until the Agent has given the Company notice to the
contrary, as provided for below, any Inventory may be sold and shipped by the
Company to its customers in the ordinary course of the Company's business, on
open account and on terms currently being extended by the Company to its
customers, provided that all proceeds of all sales (including cash, accounts
receivable, checks, notes, instruments for the payment of money and similar
proceeds) are forthwith transferred, endorsed, and turned over and delivered to
the Agent in accordance with Section 3.4 of this Financing Agreement. The
Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall have the right to
withdraw this permission at any time upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
and until such time as such Event of Default is waived or cured to the Agent's
and the Required Lenders' satisfaction in accordance with the terms hereof, in
which event no further disposition shall be made of the Inventory by the
Company without the Agent's and the Lenders' prior written approval. Cash sales
or sales of inventory in which a lien upon, or security interest in, Inventory
is retained by the Company shall be made by the Company only with the prior
written approval of the Agent and the Required Lenders, and the proceeds of such
sales or sales of inventory for cash shall not be commingled with the Company's
other property, but shall be segregated, held by the Company in trust for the
Agent as the exclusive property of the Agent, and shall be delivered immediately
by the Company to the Agent in the identical form received by the Company by
deposit to the Depository Accounts. Upon the sale, exchange, or other
disposition of Inventory, as herein provided, the security interest in the
Company's Inventory provided for herein shall, without break in continuity and
without further formality or act, continue in, and attach to, all proceeds,
including any instruments for the payment of money, accounts receivable,
contract rights, documents of title, shipping documents, chattel paper and all
other cash and non-cash proceeds of such sale, exchange or disposition. As to
any such sale, exchange or other disposition, the
32
<PAGE>
Agent shall have all of the rights of an unpaid seller, including stoppage in
transit, replevin, rescission and reclamation.
Section 6.4 Protection and Sale of Equipment. The Company agrees at its
--------------------------------
own cost and expense to keep the Equipment in as good and substantial repair and
condition as the same is now or at the time the lien and security interest
granted herein shall attach thereto, reasonable wear and tear excepted, making
any and all repairs and replacements when and where necessary. The Company also
agrees to safeguard, protect and hold all Equipment for the Agent's account and
make no disposition thereof unless the Company first obtains the prior written
approval of the Agent and the Lenders. Any sale, exchange or other disposition
of any Equipment shall only be made by the Company with the prior written
approval of the Agent, and the proceeds of any such sales shall not be
commingled with the Company's other property, but shall be segregated, held by
the Company in trust for the Agent as the Agent's exclusive property, and shall
be delivered immediately by the Company to the Agent in the identical form
received by the Company by deposit to the Depository Accounts. Upon the sale,
exchange, or other disposition of the Equipment, as herein provided, the
security interest provided for herein shall, without break in continuity and
without further formality or act, continue in, and attach to, all proceeds,
including any instruments for the payment of money, accounts receivable,
contract rights, documents of title, shipping documents, chattel paper and all
other cash and non-cash proceeds of such sales, exchange or disposition. As to
any such sale, exchange or other disposition, the Agent shall have all of the
rights of an unpaid seller, including stoppage in transit, replevin, rescission
and reclamation. Notwithstanding anything hereinabove contained to the
contrary, the Company may sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of obsolete
Equipment or Equipment no longer needed in the Company's operations, provided,
however, that (a) the then book value of the Equipment so disposed of does not
exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year and (b) the proceeds of
such sales or dispositions are delivered to the Agent in accordance with the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph, except that the Company may retain and
use such proceeds to purchase forthwith replacement Equipment which the Company
determines in its reasonable business judgment to have a collateral value at
least equal to the Equipment so disposed of or sold, provided, however, that the
aforesaid right shall automatically cease upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default.
Section 6.5 Continuation of Security Interests. The rights and security
----------------------------------
interests granted to the Agent hereunder are to continue in full force and
effect, notwithstanding the termination of this Financing Agreement or the fact
that the account maintained in the Company's name on the books of the Agent
and/or the Lenders may from time to time be temporarily in a credit position,
until the final payment in full to the Agent for itself and the Lenders of all
Obligations and the termination of this Financing Agreement.
Section 6.6 Right to Determine Remedies. To the extent that the
---------------------------
Obligations are now or hereafter secured by any assets or property other than
the Collateral or by the guarantee, endorsement, assets or property of any other
person, then the Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall have the
right in the their sole discretion to determine which rights, security, liens,
security interests or remedies the Agent shall at any time pursue, foreclose
upon, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take any other action with respect to,
without in any way modifying or affecting any of them, or any of the Agent's or
the Lenders' rights hereunder.
33
<PAGE>
Section 6.7 Additional Security; Right to Charge Obligations. Any
------------------------------------------------
reserves or balances to the credit of the Company and any other property or
assets of the Company in the possession of the Agent or any Lender may be held
by the Agent or such Lender as security for any Obligations and applied in whole
or partial satisfaction of such Obligations when due. The liens and security
interests granted herein and any other lien or security interest the Agent or
any Lender may have in any other assets of the Company shall secure payment and
performance of all now existing and future Obligations. The Agent and the
Lenders may in their discretion charge any or all of the Obligations to the
account of the Company when due.
Section 6.8 Further Security. This Financing Agreement and the
----------------
obligation of the Company to perform all of its covenants and obligations
hereunder are further secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or assignment on the
Real Estate.
Section 6.9 Delivery of Additional Instruments. (i) The Company shall
----------------------------------
give to the Agent, and/or cause the appropriate party to give to the Agent, from
time to time such additional or supplemental mortgage, deed of trust or
assignments on the Real Estate or real estate acquired after the date hereof as
the Agent shall require to obtain a valid first lien thereon subject only to
those exceptions of title as set forth in future title insurance policies that
are satisfactory to the Agent.
(ii) The Company shall give to the Agent, and/or shall cause the
appropriate party to give to the Agent, from time to time such additional
or supplemental pledge or security agreements with respect to General
Intangibles of the Company and Capital Stock of the Company as the Agent
shall require to obtain valid first liens thereon.
Section 6.10 Delivery of Additional Warehousemen's Waiver. The Company
--------------------------------------------
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Agent, within 45
days after closing, warehousemen's waivers, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agent, as to the following warehouse location at which Inventory is
located: 2130 Old Georgia Highway, Gaffney South Carolina 29340 (warehouse
operated by Modern Cold Storage).
Section 6.11 Delivery of Iowa Mortgagee Title Insurance Policy. The
-------------------------------------------------
Company shall deliver to the Agent within 45 days after closing a mortgagee
title insurance policy for the Real Estate located in Iowa (the "Iowa Property")
or an endorsement to the policy issued with respect to the Iowa Real Estate at
closing (the "Preliminary Iowa Title Policy"). Said final policy or endorsement,
as applicable, shall (i) be consistent with the Preliminary Iowa Title Policy
but shall have as an effective date the date and time of the recording of the
insured mortgage; and (ii) not except to any liens, encumbrances, encroachments
or other matters arising after November 27, 1996, at 12:03 p.m., the effective
date and time of the mortgagee's policy issued to NationsBank, N.A., in
connection with the NationsBank Credit Agreement.
Section 6.12 Delivery of Documents Relating to Texas Real Estate. The
---------------------------------------------------
Company shall deliver to the Agent within 45 days after closing the following
items with respect to the Real Estate located in Garland, Dallas County, Texas
(the "Garland Property") and in Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas (the "Harlingen
Property"): (i) with respect to the Garland Property,
34
<PAGE>
evidence of recording in the Official Records of Dallas County, Texas, of an
instrument of abandonment by the City of Garland, Texas regarding the electric
easements created by that certain plat recorded in Volume 820, Page 1498, Plat
Records of such county; (ii) with respect to the Harlingen Property, evidence of
recording on the public records of Cameron County, Texas, of an instrument of
release or termination of that certain abstract of judgment filed May 16, 1996
in Volume 3847, Page 201, Official Records of such county.
ARTICLE 7. Representations, Warranties and Covenants
Section 7.1 Company Liabilities; Ownership of and Rights to Collateral.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Company hereby warrants and represents and/or covenants that: (i) the fair
value of the Company's assets exceeds the book value of the Company's
liabilities; (ii) the Company is generally able to pay its debts as they become
due and payable; and (iii) the Company does not have unreasonably small capital
to carry on its business as it is currently conducted absent extraordinary and
unforeseen circumstances. The Company further warrants and represents that
except for the Permitted Encumbrances, the security interests granted herein
constitute and shall at all times constitute the first and only liens on the
Collateral; that, except for the Permitted Encumbrances, the Company is or will
be at the time additional Collateral is acquired by it, the absolute owner of
legal title to the Collateral with full right to pledge, sell, consign, transfer
and create a security interest therein, free and clear of any and all claims or
liens in favor of others, other than the Permitted Encumbrances; that the
Company will at its expense forever warrant and, at the Agent's request, defend
the same from any and all claims and demands of any other person other than the
Permitted Encumbrances; that the Company will not grant, create or permit to
exist, any lien upon or security interest in the Collateral, or any proceeds
thereof, in favor of any other person other than the holders of the Permitted
Encumbrances; and that the Equipment does not comprise a part of the Inventory
of the Company and that the Equipment is and will only be used by the Company in
its business and will not be held for sale or lease, or removed from its
premises, or otherwise disposed of by the Company without the prior written
approval of the Agent and the Lenders except as otherwise permitted in Section
6.4 of this Financing Agreement.
Section 7.2 Books and Records; Right of Inspection; Appraisals. The
--------------------------------------------------
Company agrees to maintain books and records pertaining to the Collateral in
such detail, form and scope as the Agent shall reasonably require. The Company
agrees that the Agent or its agents may enter upon the Company's premises from
time to time upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, for the
purpose of inspecting the Collateral, and any and all records pertaining
thereto, including without limitation, the performance of appraisals by
appraisers selected and retained by the Agent of any portion or all of the
Company's inventory. The Company agrees to afford the Agent prior written notice
of any change in the location of any Collateral, other than to locations, that
as of the date hereof, are known to the Lenders and at which the Agent has filed
financing statements and otherwise fully perfected its liens thereon, or
pursuant to sales in the ordinary course of business not otherwise prohibited
pursuant hereto. The Company is also to advise the Agent promptly, in sufficient
detail, of any material adverse change relating to the type, quantity or quality
of the Collateral or on the security interests granted to the Agent therein.
35
<PAGE>
Section 7.3 Collateral Schedules. The Company agrees to: execute and
--------------------
deliver to the Agent, from time to time, solely for the Agent's convenience in
maintaining a record of the Collateral, such written statements, and schedules
as the Agent may reasonably require, designating, identifying or describing the
Collateral pledged to the Agent hereunder. The Company's failure, however, to
promptly give the Agent such statements, or schedules shall not affect,
diminish, modify or otherwise limit the Agent's security interests in the
Collateral.
Section 7.4 Further Assurances. The Company agrees to comply with the
------------------
requirements of all state and federal laws in order to grant to the Agent valid
and perfected first security interests in the Collateral, subject only to the
Permitted Encumbrances. The Agent is hereby authorized by the Company to file
any financing statements covering the Collateral whether or not the Company's
signature appears thereon. The Company agrees to do whatever the Agent may
reasonably request, from time to time, by way of: filing notices of liens,
financing statements, amendments, renewals and continuations thereof;
cooperating with the Agent's custodians; keeping stock records; transferring
proceeds of Collateral to the Agent's possession; and performing such further
acts as the Agent may reasonably require in order to effect the purposes of this
Financing Agreement.
Section 7.5 Insurance.
---------
(a) The Company agrees to maintain insurance on the Company's Real
Estate, Equipment and Inventory under such policies of insurance, with such
insurance companies, in such reasonable amounts and covering such insurable
risks as are at all times reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. All
policies covering the Real Estate, Equipment and Inventory are, subject to
the rights of any holders of Permitted Encumbrances holding claims senior
to the Agent, to be made payable to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the Lenders, in case of loss, under a standard non-contributory
"mortgagee", "lender" or "secured party" clause and are to contain such
other provisions as the Agent may require to fully protect the Agent's
interest in the Real Estate, Inventory and Equipment and to any payments to
be made under such policies. All original policies or true copies thereof
are to be delivered to the Agent, premium prepaid, with the loss payable
endorsement in the Agent's favor, and shall provide for not less than
thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Agent of the exercise of any
right of cancellation. At the Company's request, or if the Company fails to
maintain such insurance, the Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at
the Company's expense and without any responsibility on the Agent's or the
Lenders' part for: obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance
companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims. Upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default which is not waived or cured to the
Agent's and the Lenders' satisfaction in accordance with the terms hereof,
the Agent shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders, subject to the
rights of any holders of Permitted Encumbrances holding claims senior to
the Agent, have the sole right, in the name of the Agent or the Company, to
file claims under any insurance policies, to receive, receipt and give
acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute
any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or
other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise
or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.
36
<PAGE>
(b) (i) In the event of any loss or damage by fire or other
casualty, insurance proceeds relating to Inventory shall be applied to
reduce the outstanding Revolving Loans.
(ii) In the event any part of the Company's Real Estate or
Equipment is damaged by fire or other casualty and the insurance
proceeds for such damage or other casualty (the "Proceeds") is less
than or equal to $1,000,000, the Agent shall promptly apply such
Proceeds to reduce the Company's outstanding balances under the
Revolving Loan account.
(iii) As long as an Event of Default has not occurred (which is
not cured to the Agent's satisfaction), the Company has sufficient
business interruption insurance to replace the lost profits of any of
the Company's facilities, and the Proceeds are in excess of
$1,000,000, the Company may elect (by delivering written notice to the
Agent) to replace, repair or restore such Real Estate or Equipment to
substantially the equivalent condition prior to such fire or other
casualty as set forth herein. If the Company does not, or cannot,
elect to use the Proceeds as set forth above, the Agent may, subject
to the rights of any holders of Permitted Encumbrances holding claims
senior to the Agent, apply the Proceeds to the payment of the Term
Loans.
(iv) If the Company elects to use the Proceeds for the repair,
replacement or restoration of any Real Estate or Equipment, and there
is then no Event of Default, (a) proceeds of insurance on Equipment
and Real Estate in excess of $1,000,000 will be paid to the Agent and
held by it as a reserve subject to the provisions of this clause (iv).
So long as no Event of Default is in existence, the Agent will credit
the Company's loan account with interest on the average daily amount
of such reserve at a rate equal to the sum of (x) the Adjusted London
Interbank Offered Rate, minus (y) 3%, at the end of each calendar
month. The amounts held in reserve will be disbursed to the Company
dollar-for-dollar upon receipt of non-cancelable executed purchase
orders, delivery receipts or contracts for the replacement, repair or
restoration of Equipment or the Real Estate and disbursements in
connection therewith. Prior to the commencement of any restoration,
repair or replacement of Real Estate, the Company shall provide the
Agent with a restoration plan and a total budget certified by an
independent third party experienced in construction costing. If there
are insufficient Proceeds to cover the cost of restoration as so
determined, the Company shall be responsible for the amount of any
such insufficiency, prior to the commencement of restoration and shall
demonstrate evidence of such before the reserve will be reduced.
Completion of restoration shall be evidenced by a final, unqualified
certification of the design architect employed, if any; an
unconditional Certificate of Occupancy, if applicable; such other
certification as may be required by law; or if none of the above is
applicable, a written good faith determination of completion by the
Company (herein collectively the "Completion"). Upon Completion, any
remaining reserve as established hereunder will be automatically
released.
37
<PAGE>
(v) The Company agrees to pay any reasonable costs, fees or
expenses which the Agent may reasonably incur in connection herewith.
Section 7.6 Taxes. The Company agrees to pay, when due, all taxes,
-----
assessments, claims and other charges (herein "taxes") lawfully levied or
assessed upon the Company or the Collateral and if such taxes remain unpaid
after the date fixed for the payment thereof unless such taxes are being
diligently contested in good faith by the Company by appropriate proceedings or
if any lien shall be claimed thereunder (x) for taxes due the United States of
America or (y) which in the Agent's reasonable opinion would create a valid
obligation having priority over the rights granted to the Agent herein, the
Agent may, on the Company's behalf, pay such taxes, and the amount thereof shall
be an Obligation secured hereby and due to the Agent on demand.
Section 7.7 Compliance with Laws. The Company: (a) agrees to comply with
--------------------
all acts, rules, regulations and orders of any legislative, administrative or
judicial body or official, which the failure to comply with would have a
material and adverse impact on the Collateral, or any material part thereof, or
on the operation of the Company's business; provided that the Company may
contest any acts, rules, regulations, orders and directions of such bodies or
officials in any reasonable manner which will not, in the Agent's reasonable
opinion, materially and adversely effect the Agent's rights or priority in the
Collateral; (b) agrees to comply with all environmental statutes, acts, rules,
regulations or orders as presently existing or as adopted or amended in the
future, applicable to the ownership and/or use of its real property and
operation of its business, which the failure to comply with would have a
material and adverse impact on the Collateral, or any material part thereof, or
on the operation of the business of the Company. The Company hereby indemnifies
the Agent and the Lenders and agrees to defend and hold the Agent and the
Lenders harmless from and against any and all loss, damage, claim, liability,
injury or expense which the Agent may sustain or incur (other than as a result
of the willful or grossly negligent actions of the Agent or any Lender with
respect to its own actions) in connection with any claim or expense asserted
against the Agent or any Lender as a result of any environmental pollution,
hazardous material or environmental clean-up of the Company's real property; or
any claim or expense which results from the Company's operations (including, but
not limited to, the Company's off-site disposal practices) and the Company
further agrees that this indemnification shall survive termination of this
Financing Agreement as well as the payment of all Obligations or amounts payable
hereunder; and (c) shall not be deemed to have breached any provision of this
Section 7.7 if (i) the failure to comply with the requirements of this Section
7.7 resulted from good faith error or innocent omission, (ii) the Company
promptly commences and diligently pursues a cure of such breach and (iii) such
failure is cured within fifteen (15) business days following the Company's
receipt of notice of such failure.
Section 7.8 Reports and Financial Information. Until termination of the
---------------------------------
Financing Agreement and payment and satisfaction of all Obligations due
hereunder, the Company agrees that, unless the Agent (acting at the direction of
the Required Lenders) shall have otherwise consented in writing, the Company
will furnish to the Agent, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Company, an audited Consolidated Balance Sheet and an audited
Consolidating Balance Sheet as at the close of such year, and statements of
profit and loss, cash flow and reconciliation of surplus of the Company and all
subsidiaries of each for such year,
38
<PAGE>
audited and certified by independent public accountants selected by the Company
and satisfactory to the Agent; and within thirty (30) days after the end of each
month a Consolidated Balance Sheet as at the end of such period and statements
of profit and loss, cash flow and surplus of the Company and all subsidiaries
for such period, certified as to fairness of presentation and accuracy by an
authorized financial or accounting officer of the Company; promptly upon the
mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Company generally, copies of all
financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed; promptly upon the
filing thereof, copies all registration statements (other than the exhibits
thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent) and
annual, quarterly or monthly reports which the Company shall have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission; and from time to time, such further
information regarding the business affairs and financial condition of the
Company as the Agent may reasonably request, including without limitation annual
cash flow projections in form satisfactory to the Agent. Each financial
statement which the Company is required to submit hereunder must be accompanied
by an officer's certificate, signed by the President, Vice President,
Controller, or Treasurer, pursuant to which any one such officer must certify
that: (i) the financial statement(s) fairly and accurately represent(s) the
Company's financial condition at the end of the particular accounting period, as
well as the Company's operating results during such accounting period, subject
to year-end audit adjustments; (ii) during the particular accounting period: (x)
there has been no default or condition which, with the passage of time or
notice, or both, would constitute a Default or Event of Default under this
Financing Agreement, provided, however, that if any such officer has knowledge
-----------------
that any such Default or Event of Default, has occurred during such period, the
existence of and a detailed description of same shall be set forth in such
officer's certificate; and (y) the Company has not received any notice of
cancellation with respect to its property insurance policies; and (iii) the
exhibits attached to such financial statement(s) constitute detailed
calculations showing compliance with all financial covenants contained in this
Financing Agreement.
Section 7.9 Net Worth. The Company shall maintain at the end of each of the
---------
periods below, a Net Worth of not less than:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period Net Worth
------ ---------
<S> <C>
Fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 1999 $50,000,000
Fiscal quarter ending on or about June 30, 1999 $49,000,000
Fiscal quarter ending on or about September 30, 1999 $50,000,000
Fiscal quarters ending on or about December 31,
1999 through the fiscal quarter ending on or about the sum of the Net
September 30, 2000 Worth required for
the preceding fiscal
quarter plus $750,000
Each fiscal quarter thereafter the sum of the Net
Worth required for
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
the preceding fiscal
quarter plus
$1,000,000.
Section 7.10 Negative Covenants. Until termination of the Financing
------------------
Agreement and payment and satisfaction of all Obligations due hereunder, the
Company agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Agent (acting at
the direction of the Required Lenders) in accordance with the terms hereof,
except as otherwise herein provided, the Company will not:
(a) Mortgage, assign, pledge, transfer or otherwise permit any lien,
charge, security interest, encumbrance or judgment, (whether as a result of
a purchase money or title retention transaction, or other security
interest, or otherwise) to exist on any of its assets or goods, whether
real, personal or mixed, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except
for the Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) Incur or create any Indebtedness other than the Permitted
Indebtedness;
(c) Borrow any money on the security of the Company's Collateral from
sources other than the Agent and the Lenders;
(d) Sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of (i)
Collateral, except as otherwise provided by this Financing Agreement, or
(ii) either all or substantially all of the Company's other assets;
(e) Merge, consolidate or otherwise alter or modify its corporate
name, principal place of business, structure, status or existence, or enter
into or engage in any operation or activity materially different from that
presently being conducted by the Company;
(f) Assume, guarantee, endorse, or otherwise become liable upon the
obligations of any person, firm, entity or corporation, except by the
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business;
(g) Declare or pay any dividend of any kind on, or purchase, acquire,
redeem or retire, any of the capital stock or equity interest, of any class
whatsoever, whether now or hereafter outstanding, except that the Company
may (i) make dividends payable solely in the same class of capital stock of
such Person, (ii) make dividends or other distributions payable to the
Parent in such amounts as are necessary to enable the Parent to pay taxes
and other recurring expenses in the ordinary course of business consistent
with historical practices, (iii) as permitted by Section 7.15 or Section
7.16, (iv) make any payment (a) in connection with the repurchase of
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company or the Parent following
the death, disability or termination of employment of any officer, director
or shareholder of the Company or the Parent and (b) of amounts required to
be paid to participants or former participants in employee benefit plans
upon any termination of employment by such participants as provided in the
documents related thereto, in an
40
<PAGE>
aggregate amount (for both clauses (a) and (b) not to exceed $1,000,000 in
any fiscal year (provided that any unused amount may be carried over to any
subsequent fiscal year subject to a maximum amount of $1,500,000 in any
fiscal year), (v) make payments to the Parent pursuant to a tax sharing
agreement under which the Company is allocated its proportionate share of
the tax liability of the affiliated group or corporations that file
consolidated federal income tax returns (or that file state or local income
tax returns on a consolidated basis), (vi) make loans, advances, dividends
or distributions to the Parent to pay for corporate, administrative and
operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including payment of
directors and officers' liability insurance premiums and directors' fees,
in an aggregate amount not the exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year and
(vii) (A) make loans advances, dividends or distributions to the Parent not
to exceed an amount necessary to permit the Parent to pay its costs
(including all professional fees and expenses) incurred to comply with its
reporting obligations under federal or state laws or in connection with
reporting or other obligations under this Financing Agreement and the Loan
Documents, and (B) make loans or advances to the Parent not to exceed an
amount necessary to permit the Parent to pay its interim expenses incurred
in connection with any public offering of equity securities the net
proceeds of which are specifically intended to be received by or
contributed or loaned to the Company, which, unless such offering shall
have been terminated by the board of directors of the Parent, shall be
repaid to the Company promptly out of the proceeds of such offering;
(h) Make any advance or loan to, or any investment in, any firm,
entity, person or corporation, other than loans and advances in the
ordinary course of business not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding or as permitted pursuant to subsection (g) above;
(i) Use the proceeds of any Loan hereunder for a purpose other than
the Permitted Uses.
Section 7.11 Capital Expenditures. Without the prior written consent of
--------------------
the Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders) in accordance with
the terms hereof, the Company will not: (a) enter into any Operating Lease if
after giving effect thereto the aggregate obligations with respect to Operating
Leases of the Company during any fiscal year would exceed $750,000 or (b)
contract for, purchase, make expenditures for, lease pursuant to a Capital Lease
or otherwise incur obligations with respect to Capital Expenditures (whether
subject to a security interest or otherwise) during any fiscal year in the
aggregate amount in excess of $4,000,000; provided however, that to the extent
Capital Expenditures during any fiscal year are less than $4,000,000, the
Company may carry over to the next fiscal year 75% of the difference between
$4,000,000 and the Capital Expenditures actually incurred to increase the
subsequent year's annual limitation of $4,000,000 by such amount.
Section 7.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Company shall maintain at
---------------------------
the end of each fiscal period, an Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least:
Fiscal Period Ending on or about Ratio
-------------------------------- -----
41
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 1999 1.10 to 1.0
for the fiscal quarter ending on or about June 30, 1999,
and the immediately preceding fiscal quarter 1.10 to 1.0
for the fiscal quarter ending on or about on September 30,
1999, and the immediately preceding two fiscal quarters 1.10 to 1.0
for each fiscal quarter ending on or about on December 31,
1999, and the immediately preceding three fiscal quarters 1.15 to 1.0
for each fiscal quarter ending on or about on March 31,
2000 and the immediately preceding three fiscal quarters 1.25 to 1.0
for each fiscal quarter ending on or about June 30,
2000 and December 31, 2000, and the immediately
preceding three fiscal quarters 1.30 to 1.0
for each fiscal quarter ending after the fiscal quarter ending
on or about December 31, 2000, and the immediately
preceding three fiscal quarters 1.40 to 1.0
</TABLE>
Section 7.13 Leverage Ratio. The Company shall maintain at the end of each
--------------
fiscal quarter ending on or about the dates set forth below a Leverage Ratio of
not more than:
Period Ratio
------ -----
from the Effective Date to September 30, 1999 2.4 to 1.0
from October 1, 1999, to March 31, 2000 2.1 to 1.0
from April 1, 2000 to September 30, 2000 1.9 to 1.0
from October 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001 1.7 to 1.0
from April 1, 2001 to June 30, 2001 1.6 to 1.0
from and after September 1, 2001 1.5 to 1.0
Section 7.14 Environmental Expenditures and Notices. The Company agrees to
--------------------------------------
advise the Agent and the Lenders in writing of: (i) all expenditures (actual or
anticipated) in excess of $75,000 during any period of 12 consecutive months for
(x) environmental clean-up, (y) environmental compliance or (z) environmental
testing and the impact of said expenses on the Company's Availability; and (ii)
any written notices the Company receives from any local,
42
<PAGE>
state or federal authority advising the Company of any material environmental
liability (real or potential) stemming from the Company's operations, its
premises, its waste disposal practices, or waste disposal sites used by the
Company and to provide the Agent and the Lenders with copies of all such notices
if so required.
Section 7.15 Transactions with Affiliates. Without the prior written
----------------------------
consent of the Agent (acting at the direction of the Required Lenders) in
accordance with the terms hereof, the Company agrees that it will not enter into
any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease, loan
or exchange of property with any affiliate of the Company except upon arms-
length terms and except for (a) transactions between or among the Company and/or
its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (b) advances to officers of the Company in the
ordinary course of business to provide for the payment of reasonable expenses
incurred by such persons in the performance of their responsibilities to the
Company of in connection with any relocation, (c) fees and compensation paid to
and indemnity provided on behalf of directors, officers or employees of the
Company or the Parent in the ordinary course of business, (d) any employment
agreement that is in effect on the date hereof and any such agreement entered
into by the Company or the Parent after the date hereof in the ordinary course
of business of the Company or the Parent, (e) any payment that is not prohibited
by Section 7.10(g), (f) payments to CGW Southeast III, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company and the general partner of CGW, of amounts payable
pursuant to the Consulting Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and (g) the
delegation by CGW of its rights and obligations under the Consulting Agreement
to CGW Southeast Management III, L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company and
wholly-owned Subsidiary of CGW.
Section 7.16 Subordinated Debt. The Company shall not make any election
-----------------
to have Section 8.02 (pertaining to legal defeasance) or 8.03 (pertaining to
covenant defeasance) of the Subordinated Notes Indenture applicable to any of
the Senior Notes, or make any payments to the defeasance trust pursuant to
Section 8.04 of the Subordinated Notes Indenture. The Company shall not make any
payment (principal or interest) with respect to or in connection with (i) the
Senior Notes, in contravention of the subordination provisions contained therein
and (ii) with respect to other Subordinated Debt (including the Bridge Note),
unless no Default or Event of Default is in existence and both (a) the Company
would have $5,000,000 of Availability after the making of any such payment, and
(b) the Company's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the immediately preceding two
fiscal quarters ending after the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31,
1999 exceeds 1.25 to 1.0.
Section 7.17 Warranties and Representations Relating to Surveys, Matters
-----------------------------------------------------------
Affecting Title, and Zoning.
- ---------------------------
(a) Surveys - The Company has furnished the following surveys to the
-------
Collateral Agent: (a) that certain Tyson Foods Survey, prepared by Needham
Wright Laskey Engineers Inc., Robert M. Needham, Texas Registered Professional
Land Surveyor No. 3759, dated November 21, 1996 (for Real Estate located in
Garland, Dallas County, Texas); (b) that certain Boundary and Improvement
Survey, prepared by Martin & Brown Engineering--Surveying, J.T. Thompson, Texas
Registered Professional Land Surveyor No. 4604, dated November 5, 1996, and last
revised November 22, 1996 (for Real Estate located in Harlingen,
43
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Cameron County, Texas); and (c) that certain ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey,
prepared by Dewild Grant Reckert & Associates Co., Kevin D. Jongerius, Iowa
Licensed Surveyor No. 10041, dated November 20, 1996 (for Real Estate located in
Sioux Center, Sioux County, Iowa). As to each survey referenced in the preceding
sentence, the Company warrants and represents on the date hereof that all
improvements, encumbrances, encroachments and other matters are accurately
depicted for the relevant property and that there have been no changes to that
property (including new construction) since the date of the survey that would be
depicted on a current, accurate survey of that property.
(b) Matters Affecting Title -- For that Real Estate located in Iowa,
-----------------------
there are no liens, easements, or other encumbrances affecting title other than
those matters shown in that mortgagee's policy with an effective date and time
of November 27, 1996 at 12:03 p.m., which was issued to NationsBank, N.A., in
connection with the NationsBank Credit Agreement.
(c) Zoning. The Real Estate is currently in compliance with all
------
applicable zoning restrictions, including, as applicable, permitted use,
setback, height, lot width, lot coverage, parking, and other restrictions.
ARTICLE 8 Interest, Fees and Expenses
---------------------------
Section 8.1 Interest. (a) Each LIBOR Loan shall bear interest on the
--------
outstanding principal amount thereof, for the Interest Period Applicable
thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the
applicable Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period. Such
interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and,
if such Interest Period is longer than monthly, at monthly intervals after the
first day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law,
overdue interest on any LIBOR Loan shall bear interest, payable on demand, for
each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.
(b) Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable monthly as of
the end of each month and shall be an amount equal to the Applicable Margin
plus the Chase Manhattan Bank Rate.
(c) The interest rates hereunder shall be calculated based on a 360-
day year. The Agent shall be entitled to charge the Company's account at
the rate provided for herein when due until all Obligations have been paid
in full.
Section 8.2 Letter of Credit Guaranty Fee. In consideration of the
-----------------------------
Letter of Credit Guaranty of the Agent, the Company shall pay the Agent the
Letter of Credit Guaranty Fees which shall be an amount equal to one and one-
half percent (1.5%) per annum, payable monthly, on the face amount of each
standby or documentary Letter of Credit less the amount of any and all amounts
previously drawn under such standby or documentary Letter of Credit.
Section 8.3 Issuing Bank Costs. Any charges, fees, commissions, costs
------------------
and expenses charged to CITBC, the Agent or the Lenders for the Company's
account by any Issuing Bank in connection with or arising out of Letters of
Credit issued pursuant to this Financing Agreement
44
<PAGE>
or out of transactions relating thereto will be charged to the Company's account
in full when charged to or paid by CITBC, the Agent or the Lenders and when made
by any such Issuing Bank shall be conclusive.
Section 8.4 Out-of-Pocket Expenses. The Company shall reimburse or
----------------------
pay the Agent and/or the Lenders, as the case may be, for: (i) all Out-of-Pocket
Expenses and (ii) any applicable Documentation Fees. In the event that the Agent
and the Lenders are not reimbursed or paid for such Out-of-Pocket Expenses
and/or Documentation Fees within 5 Business Days after demand upon the Company
therefor, the Company authorizes the Agent and the Lenders to make Revolving
Loans in payment thereof.
Section 8.5 Line of Credit Fee. Upon the last Business Day of each
------------------
month, commencing with March 5, 1999, the Obligors shall pay the Agent, for the
ratable account of the Lenders, the Line of Credit Fee.
Section 8.6 Loan Facility Fee. To induce Lenders to enter into this
-----------------
Financing Agreement and to extend to the Company the Revolving Loan, the Company
shall pay to the Agent a Loan Facility Fee in the amount of $675,000 payable
upon execution of this Financing Agreement.
Section 8.7 Administrative Agency Fee. On the date of this Agreement
-------------------------
and on each Anniversary Date, the Company shall pay solely for the account of
the Agent the Administrative Agency Fee.
Section 8.8 Syndication Fee. The Company shall pay to the Agent a
---------------
Syndication Fee in the amount of $1,350,000 payable as follows: $325,000 upon
execution of this Financing Agreement; $500,000 on September 5, 1999; and
$400,000 on the first Anniversary Date hereof.
Section 8.9 Field Examination Fees. The Company shall pay the Agent's
----------------------
standard charges for, and the fees and expenses of, the Agent's personnel used
by the Agent for reviewing the books and records of the Company and for
verifying, testing, protecting, safeguarding, preserving or disposing of all or
any part of the Collateral provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be
payable until the occurrence of an Event of Default if the Company is paying a
Administrative Agency Fee.
Section 8.10 Authorization to Charge Loan Account. The Company hereby
------------------------------------
authorizes the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, to charge the
Company's account with the Lenders with the amount of all payments due hereunder
as such payments become due. The Company confirms that such charges will be made
as an accommodation to the Company and solely at the Agent's discretion.
ARTICLE 9 Powers
------
The Company hereby constitutes the Agent or any person or agent the Agent
may designate as its attorney-in-fact, at the Company's cost and expense, to
exercise all of the
45
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following powers, which being coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable
until all of the Company's Obligations to the Agent have been paid in full:
(a) To receive, take, endorse, sign, assign and deliver, all in the
name of the Agent or the Company, any and all checks, notes, drafts, and
other documents or instruments relating to the Collateral;
(b) To receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to the Company
and to notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery thereof
to such address as the Agent may designate;
(c) To request from customers indebted on Accounts at any time, in
the name of the Agent or the Company or that of the Agent's designee,
information concerning the amounts owing on the Accounts;
(d) To transmit to customers indebted on Accounts notice of the
Agent's interest therein and to notify customers indebted on Accounts to
make payment directly to the Agent for the Company's account; and
(e) To take or bring, in the name of the Agent or the Company, all
steps, actions, suits or proceedings deemed by the Agent necessary or
desirable to enforce or effect collection of the Accounts.
Notwithstanding anything hereinabove contained to the contrary, the powers
set forth in (b), (d) and (e) above may only be exercised after the occurrence
of an Event of Default and until such time as such Event of Default is waived or
cured to the Agent's and the Required Lenders' satisfaction in accordance with
the terms hereof.
ARTICLE 10. Events of Default and Remedies
------------------------------
Section 10.1 Events of Default. Notwithstanding anything hereinabove to
-----------------
the contrary, the Agent may terminate this Financing Agreement immediately upon
the occurrence of any of the following (herein "Events of Default"):
(a) cessation of the business of the Company or the calling of a
meeting of the creditors of the Company for purposes of compromising the
debts and obligations of the Company;
(b) the failure of the Company to generally meet debts as they
mature;
(c) the commencement by or against the Company of any bankruptcy,
insolvency, arrangement, liquidation, reorganization, receivership or
similar proceedings under any federal or state law;
46
<PAGE>
(d) breach by the Company of any warranty, representations or
covenant contained herein (other than those referred to in sub-paragraph
(e) below) or in any other written agreement between the Company or the
Agent and/or the Lenders, provided that such breach by the Company of any
of the covenants referred in this clause (d) shall not be deemed to be an
Event of Default unless and until such breach shall remain unremedied, as
determined by the Agent in the exercise of its discretion, for a period of
thirty (30) days from the date of such breach; or
(e) breach by the Company of any covenant contained in any of
Sections 3.3 (other than the third sentence thereof), 3.4, 4.3(c), 6.3, 6.4
(other than the first sentence thereof), 7.1, 7.5, 7.6, 7.9 through 7.13 or
7.16; or
(f) failure of the Company to pay any of the Obligations within five
(5) business days of the due date thereof (other than principal at
maturity), provided that nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Agent,
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders (except for Obligations owed solely
to the Agent pursuant hereto) from charging such amounts to the Company's
account on the due date thereof; or
(g) any event or condition shall occur which results in the
acceleration of the maturity of Indebtedness outstanding of the Company
(including, without limitation, any required mandatory prepayment or "put"
of such Indebtedness to the Company) or enables (or, with the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both, would enable) the holders of such
Indebtedness or commitment or any Person acting on such holders' behalf to
accelerate the maturity thereof or terminate any such commitment
(including, without limitation, any required mandatory prepayment or "put"
of such Indebtedness to the Company); or
(h) the Company shall (i) engage in any "prohibited transaction" as
defined in ERISA, (ii) have any "accumulated funding deficiency" as defined
in ERISA, (iii) have any Reportable Event as defined in ERISA, (iv)
terminate any Plan, as defined in ERISA or (v) be engaged in any
proceeding in which the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation shall seek
appointment, or is appointed, as trustee or administrator of any Plan, as
defined in ERISA, and with respect to this sub-paragraph (h) such event or
condition (x) remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days from date of
occurrence and (y) could, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, subject
the Company to any tax, penalty or other liability material to the
business, operations or financial condition of the Company; or
(i) without the prior written consent of the Agent and the Lenders,
the Company shall (x) amend or modify the subordination provisions of the
Subordinated Debt, or any other provision thereof in a manner which is
detrimental to the interests of the Agent and the Lenders, or (y) make any
payment on account of the Subordinated Debt except as permitted in the
Subordination Agreement; or
(j) CGW ceases for any reason whatsoever to own 48% of the common
stock of the Parent or the Parent ceases to own 100% of the common stock of
the Company.
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<PAGE>
Section 10.2 Acceleration and Termination; Default Rate of Interest. Upon
------------------------------------------------------
the occurrence of a Default and/or an Event of Default, at the option of the
Required Lenders, the obligation of the Lenders to make revolving loans and/or
cause the opening of Letters of Credit shall cease unless such Default or Event
of Default is waived or cured to the Required Lenders' satisfaction in
accordance with the terms hereof, and, at the option of the Agent, acting at the
direction of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default:
(i) all Obligations shall become immediately due and payable; (ii) the Agent,
acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, may charge the Company the
Default Rate of Interest on all then outstanding or thereafter incurred
Obligations in lieu of the interest provided for in Section 8 of this Financing
Agreement provided (a) the Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, has
given the Company written notice of the Event of Default, provided, however,
that no notice is required if the Event of Default is the Event listed in
Section 10.1(c) and (b) the Company has failed to cure the Event of Default
within thirty (30) days after (x) the Agent deposited such notice in the United
States mail or (y) the occurrence of the Event of Default listed in Section
10.1(c); and (iii) the Agent may immediately terminate this Financing Agreement
upon notice to the Company, provided, however, that no notice of termination is
required if the Event of Default is the Event listed in Section 10.1(c); and
(iv) the Company shall provide the Agent with cash collateral in an amount equal
to 105% of all outstanding Letters of Credit. The exercise of any option is not
exclusive of any other option which may be exercised at any time by the Agent
and/or the Required Lenders.
Section 10.3 Remedies Respecting Collateral. Immediately upon the
------------------------------
occurrence of any Event of Default, the Agent, acting at the request of the
Required Lenders, may to the extent permitted by law: (a) remove from any
premises where same may be located any and all documents, instruments, files and
records, and any receptacles or cabinets containing same, relating to the
Accounts, or the Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, may
use, at the Company's expense, such of the Company's personnel, supplies or
space at the Company's places of business or otherwise, as may be necessary to
properly administer and control the Accounts or the handling of collections and
realizations thereon; (b) bring suit, in the name of the Company or the Agent or
the Lenders, and generally shall have all other rights respecting said Accounts,
including without limitation the right to: accelerate or extend the time of
payment, settle, compromise, release in whole or in part any amounts owing on
any Accounts and issue credits in the name of the Company or the Agent or the
Lenders; (c) sell, assign and deliver the Collateral and any returned, reclaimed
or repossessed merchandise, with or without advertisement, at public or private
sale, for cash, on credit or otherwise, at the Required Lenders sole option and
discretion, and the Agent, acting at the direction of and on behalf of the
Lenders, may credit bid or become a purchaser at any such sale, free from any
right of redemption, which right is hereby expressly waived by the Company; (d)
foreclose the security interests created herein by any available judicial
procedure, or to take possession of any or all of the Inventory and Equipment
without judicial process, and to enter any premises where any Inventory and
Equipment may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the
same and (e) exercise any other rights and remedies provided in law, in equity,
by contract or otherwise. The Agent, acting at the direction of the Required
Lenders, shall have the right, without notice or advertisement, to sell, lease,
or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral whether in its then
condition or after further preparation or processing, in the name of the Company
or the Agent or the Lenders, or in the name of such other party as the Agent,
acting at the direction of
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<PAGE>
the Required Lenders, may designate, either at public or private sale or at any
broker's board, in lots or in bulk, for cash or for credit, with or without
warranties or representations, and upon such other terms and conditions as the
Agent in its sole discretion may deem advisable, and the Agent, acting at the
direction of and on behalf of the Required Lenders shall have the right to
purchase at any such sale and credit bid with respect thereto. If any Inventory
and Equipment shall require rebuilding, repairing, maintenance or preparation,
the Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall have the
right, at its option, to do such of the aforesaid as is necessary, for the
purpose of putting the Inventory and Equipment in such saleable form as the
Required Lenders shall deem appropriate. The Company agrees, at the request of
the Agent acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, to assemble the
Inventory and Equipment and to make it available to the Agent at premises of the
Company or elsewhere and to make available to the Agent the premises and
facilities of the Company for the purpose of the Agent's taking possession of,
removing or putting the Inventory and Equipment in saleable form. However, if
notice of intended disposition of any Collateral is required by law, it is
agreed that ten (10) days notice shall constitute reasonable notification and
full compliance with the law. The net cash proceeds resulting from the Agent's
exercise of any of the foregoing rights, (after deducting all charges, costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees) shall be applied by the Agent to
the payment of the Company's Obligations, whether due or to become due, in the
following order: (i) Out-of-Pocket Expenses, (ii) pro rata to the fees due the
Agent and the Lenders hereunder, (iii) interest, (iv) principal, and (v) any
other amounts due the Agent or the Lenders hereunder. The Company shall remain
liable to the Agent and the Lenders for any deficiencies, and the Agent and the
Lenders in turn agree to remit to the Company or its successors or assigns, any
surplus resulting therefrom. The enumeration of the foregoing rights is not
intended to be exhaustive and the exercise of any right shall not preclude the
exercise of any other rights, all of which shall be cumulative. The mortgage,
deed of trust or assignment on the Real Estate shall govern the rights and
remedies of the Agent thereto.
ARTICLE 11. Termination
-----------
Except as otherwise permitted herein and without prejudice to any of the
Lenders' or the Agent's rights, remedies and powers hereunder relating to the
Obligations and the Collateral, this Financing Agreement and the Line of Credit
shall terminate on March 5, 2004 (as extended as provided hereinbelow, the
Termination Date). Provided, however, prior to the date which is 60 days before
the fifth Anniversary Date (but not earlier than 90 days before such fifth
Anniversary Date), the Company may request in writing to the Agent and each
Lender that the current Termination Date be extended for an additional 365 days.
In such event, each Lender shall notify the Company and the Agent at least 45
days prior to the current Termination Date whether or not it chooses to extend
the Termination Date for such an additional 365 day period (but any Lender which
fails to give such notice within such period shall be deemed not to have
extended); provided, that the Termination Date shall not be extended with
respect to any of the Lenders unless:
(i) the Required Lenders are willing to extend the Termination Date;
and
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(ii) on or before the current Termination Date, as to any Lender which
gave notice that it chooses not to extend, or which is deemed pursuant to
the foregoing not to have extended (any such Lender being a "Terminating
Lender"), one of the following shall occur:
(x) on or before the current Termination Date, the remaining
Lenders shall purchase ratable assignments (without any obligation so
to do) from such Terminating Lender pursuant to Section 12.5 hereof in
accordance with their respective percentage of the remaining Revolving
Loan commitments; provided, that, such Lenders shall be provided such
-------- ----
opportunity (which opportunity shall allow such Lenders at least 15
Business Days in which to make a decision) prior to the Company's
finding another lender pursuant to the immediately succeeding clause
(y); and, provided, further, that, should any of the remaining Lenders
-------- ------- ----
elect not to purchase such an assignment, then, such other remaining
Lenders shall be entitled to purchase an assignment from any
Terminating Lender which includes the ratable interest that was
otherwise available to such non-purchasing remaining Lender or
Lenders, as the case may be, or
(y) the Company shall find another bank, acceptable to the Agent,
willing to accept an assignment from such Terminating Lender pursuant
to Section 12.5 hereof on or before the current Termination Date, or
(z) on the current Termination Date, the Company shall reduce the
aggregate Revolving Loan commitments in an amount equal to the
Revolving Loan Commitment of any such Terminating Lender, and pay in
full the Term Loans of such Terminating Lender.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent may terminate the Financing Agreement
immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, provided, however, that
if the Event of Default is an event listed in Section 10.1(c) of this Financing
Agreement, the Agent and each of the Lenders may regard the Financing Agreement
as terminated and notice to that effect is not required. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company may terminate this Financing Agreement and the Line of
Credit prior to any applicable Anniversary Date upon not less than thirty (30)
days' prior written notice to the Agent, provided that the Company pays to the
Agent, for the ratable account of the Lenders, immediately on demand, an Early
Termination Fee and any other payment due hereunder, if applicable. All
Obligations shall become due and payable as of any termination hereunder or
under Article 10 hereof and, pending a final accounting, the Agent and any
Lender may withhold any balances in the Company's account (unless supplied with
an indemnity satisfactory to the Agent or any affected Lender) to cover all of
the Company's Obligations, whether absolute or contingent. Each of the Agent's
and the Lender's rights, liens and security interests shall continue after any
termination until all Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full;
provided, however, that if all Obligations have been paid other than
- -------- -------
indemnification obligations as to which no claim has arisen (which obligations
survive termination of this Agreement), and so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing under Section 10.1(c), the Agent shall, upon request
of the Company, terminate the liens and security interests hereunder and under
the other Loan Documents.
50
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ARTICLE 12. Miscellaneous
-------------
Section 12.1 Waivers. The Company hereby waives diligence, demand,
-------
presentment and protest and any notices thereof as well as notice of nonpayment.
No delay or omission of the Agent, the Lenders or the Company to exercise any
right or remedy hereunder, whether before or after the happening of any Event of
Default, shall impair any such right or shall operate as a waiver thereof or as
a waiver of any such Event of Default. No single or partial exercise by the
Agent or the Lenders of any right or remedy precludes any other or further
exercise thereof, or precludes any other right or remedy.
Section 12.2 Entire Agreement. This Financing Agreement and the documents
----------------
executed and delivered in connection therewith constitute the entire agreement
among the Company, the Agent and the Lenders; supersede any prior agreements;
can be changed only by a writing signed by the Company, the Agent and the
Lenders (or the Required Lenders, as the case may be); and shall bind and
benefit the Company, the Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors
and assigns.
Section 12.3 Compliance with Usury Laws. In no event shall the Company,
--------------------------
upon demand by the Agent or the Lenders for payment of any indebtedness relating
hereto, by acceleration of the maturity thereof, or otherwise, be obligated to
pay interest and fees in excess of the amount permitted by law. Regardless of
any provision herein or in any agreement made in connection herewith, the
Lenders shall never be entitled to receive, charge or apply, as interest on any
indebtedness relating hereto, any amount in excess of the maximum amount of
interest permissible under applicable law. If the Lenders ever receive, collect
or apply any such excess, it shall be deemed a partial repayment of principal
and treated as such; and if principal is paid in full, any remaining excess
shall be refunded to the Company. This paragraph shall control every other
provision hereof and of any other agreement made in connection herewith.
Section 12.4 Severability. If any provision hereof or of any other
------------
agreement made in connection herewith is held to be illegal or unenforceable,
such provision shall be fully severable, and the remaining provisions of the
applicable agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be
affected by such provision's severance. Furthermore, in lieu of any such
provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of the applicable
agreement a legal and enforceable provision as similar in terms to the severed
provision as may be possible.
Section 12.5 Syndications, Assignments and Participations. The Company
--------------------------------------------
acknowledges that (i) CITBC may syndicate a portion of the Loans hereunder, (ii)
pursuant to any such co-lending or participation agreements CITBC may be
required to obtain the consent of such co-lenders or participants (herein the
Participants) to any amendments or waivers hereunder, and (iii) portions of the
Obligations may be nominally held by CITBC on behalf of the Participants. CITBC
is hereby permitted to sell co-lending or participation interests in the loans
and advances hereunder to lending institutions, without the consent of the
Company; provided, that no assignment may be made without the consent of the
--------
Company to any lending institution which is not organized under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof, unless, at the time of such assignment, such
lending institution has filed or presents to the Agent for filing all
appropriate forms and has taken all other appropriate action to obtain a
certificate or other
51
<PAGE>
appropriate document from the appropriate governmental authority in the
jurisdiction imposing the relevant Taxes, establishing that it is entitled to
receive payments of principal and interest under this Agreement without
deduction and free from withholding of any Taxes imposed by such jurisdiction.
Any other Lender which becomes a party hereto may sell co-lending or
participation interests in the loan and the advances hereunder to lending
institutions provided that CITBC has its prior written consent thereto. The
Company shall not be responsible for any fees, charges or costs arising out of
any such syndication, co-lending, participation or similar arrangement. In the
event any Lender should sell off a portion of the loans hereunder, whether by
participation or otherwise, such Lender will first advise the Agent and the
Company of the form of the sale, the identity of the purchaser and, generally,
of the rights of the purchaser to approve amendments, consents or waivers;
provided however, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect
to any participation by any Lender hereunder: (1) such Lender's obligations
under this Financing Agreement (including, without limitation, its commitment
hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (2) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
(3) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such note for all purposes of
this Financing Agreement, (4) the Company, the Agent, and the other Lenders
shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with
such Lender's rights and obligations under this Financing Agreement, (5) such
Lender shall not transfer, grant, assign or sell any participation under which
the participant shall have rights to approve any amendment or waiver of this
Financing Agreement except to the extent such amendment or waiver would (A)
extend the final maturity date or the date of the payments of any installment of
fees or principal or interest of any Loans in which such participant is
participating, (B) reduce the amount of any installment of principal of the
Loans in which such participant is participating, (C) reduce the interest rate
applicable to the Loans in which such participant is participating, (D) except
as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, reduce any fees payable to
the Agent or the Lenders hereunder or (E) release any Guarantor or release any
Collateral (except as expressly provided herein) and (6) such Lender shall not
at any time have such participations outstanding in an aggregate amount, to all
of its participants, in excess of 45% of the amount of either its Revolving Loan
commitment or its Term Loan.
Section 12.6 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. TO THE
---------------------------------------------
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE COMPANY, THE AGENT, AND EACH LENDER HEREBY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF
THIS FINANCING AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE
OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL,
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY OR AGAINST THE
COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY RELATED
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR, AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE,
IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA,
AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF
AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NON-
EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE
BOUND BY ANY FINAL, NON-
52
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APPEALABLE JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. NOTHING
HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENT OR ANY LENDER TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST
THE COMPANY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE COMPANY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE (AS SET FORTH ABOVE)
OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND SHALL NOT ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON
LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE OR BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS.
Section 12.7 Notices. Except as otherwise herein provided, any notice or
-------
other communication required hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be deemed
to have been validly served, given or delivered when hand delivered, including
overnight delivery by a courier service (including Federal Express), or sent by
telegram or facsimile, or five days after deposit in the United State mails,
with proper first class postage prepaid and addressed to the party to be
notified as follows:
(A) if to CITBC (whether as Agent or a Lender), at:
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
1200 Ashwood Parkway
Suite 150
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Attn: Regional Credit Manager
(B) if to the Company at:
Gorges Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc.
9441 L.B.J. Freeway, Suite 214
Dallas, Texas 75243
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to CGW at:
CGW Southeast III, L.P.
Twelve Piedmont Center
Suite 210
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Attn: William Davies
or to such other address as any party may designate for itself by like notice.
Section 12.8 Governing Law. THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT
-------------
OF THIS FINANCING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
GEORGIA.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE 13. Agent and Lender Provisions
---------------------------
Section 13.1 Appointment of Agent. Each of the Lenders designates and
--------------------
appoints CITBC to serve as the Agent under this Agreement and each of the Loan
Documents. Each Lender authorizes the Agent to act as agent for each of the
Lenders for the purposes of executing and delivering on behalf of the Lenders
each of the Loan Documents and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
enforcing the Lenders' rights in respect of the Collateral and the Obligations
of the Company, the Parent, and any other party liable for the Obligations,
whether under this Agreement, the Loan Documents, or otherwise, together with
such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as expressly
provided herein that the direction or consent of all Lenders is required, the
---
Agent may perform any of its duties at the direction of or with the consent of
the Required Lenders.
Section 13.2 Release of Collateral. The Agent will not release Collateral
---------------------
from the liens created by the Loan Documents except (i) as expressly authorized
by the terms and conditions set forth in the Loan Documents, or (ii) with the
consent, or upon the direction, of all of the Lenders.
Section 13.3 Receipt of Funds by Lenders. If at any time any Lender
---------------------------
acquires custody, control or possession of any Collateral or proceeds therefrom
or receives any payments under the Guaranty, including through the exercise of
set off, other than by distribution from the Agent pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, or if any Lender shall receive any distributions of any Collateral or
the proceeds therefrom or payments under the Guaranty from the Agent in error or
otherwise than in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement, such
Lender shall promptly cause such Collateral or proceeds to be delivered to or
put in the custody, possession or control of the Agent for disposition or
distribution in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. No Lender
shall have any liability to the Company, the Parent or any other Lender for any
such delivery to or putting in the custody, possession or control of the Agent
of any Collateral or proceeds in accordance with the foregoing or in accordance
with this Agreement, and the Company hereby indemnifies and holds harmless the
Agent and each Lender with respect to all losses, liabilities, claims or damages
to which any of them may become subject, or which they may incur, as a result of
such Lender's delivery to or putting in the custody, possession or control of
the Agent any Collateral or proceeds in accordance with the foregoing or in
accordance with this Agreement. Until such time as the provisions of this
Section have been complied with, such Lender shall be deemed to hold all such
Collateral and proceeds in trust for the Lenders entitled thereto hereunder,
subject to the Company's right to use such Collateral and the proceeds thereof
as provided in the Loan Documents.
(a) If at any time any amount which has been delivered to or put in
the possession, custody or control of the Agent by any Lender (a
"distributing Lender") pursuant hereto must be restored or returned by the
distributing Lender to the Company or the Parent, the Agent, to the extent
it has not distributed such amount to the Lenders, and each Lender, to the
extent of any portion of such amount which was distributed to it by the
Agent, shall return such amount or portion thereof to the distributing
Lender.
Section 13.4 Action on Instructions of Lenders.
---------------------------------
54
<PAGE>
(a) The Agent agrees to make only such demands and give only such
notices under the Loan Documents as expressly provided therein or it is
instructed in writing to give by the requisite Lenders, and to take only
such action to enforce the Loan Documents and to only collect and/or
dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof as it is instructed in
writing to take, collect or dispose of by the requisite Lenders. The Agent
shall not grant any consent or waiver in connection with, execute any
amendment to or modification of, or exercise any discretion granted to it
under any of the Loan Documents, except as expressly permitted under the
Loan Documents or as directed by the requisite Lenders. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Agent shall not be required to take
any action that is in its opinion contrary to law or to the terms of this
Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or would in its reasonable opinion
subject it or any of its officers, employees or directors to personal
liability.
(b) The Agent may at any time request directions from the Lenders as
to any course of action or other matter relating hereto. The Agent shall
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting hereunder in
accordance with instructions signed by (i) as to any matters expressly
provided for by this Agreement, the requisite Lenders expressly provided in
the relevant provisions hereof and (ii) as to any matters not expressly
provided for by this Agreement, in accordance with instructions signed by
the Required Lenders, and in all such cases, any action taken or failure to
act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Lenders.
Section 13.5 Furnish Notices to Lenders. Promptly upon the receipt or
--------------------------
giving of any notice, report or other information or document, the Agent shall
furnish a copy thereof to each of the Lenders. The Agent shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default (other than
the nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Loans) unless the Agent has
received notice from a Lender or the Company specifying such Default or Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event that
the Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.
Section 13.6 Nonreliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender agrees
--------------------------------------
that it has, independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other
Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Company and decision to enter
into this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon
the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and
decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents. The Agent shall not be required to keep itself (or any
Lender) informed as to the performance or observance by the Company of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other document referred to
or provided for herein or therein or to inspect the properties or books of the
Company or any other Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and
information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall not have any duty
or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Company or any
other Person (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of
the Agent.
55
<PAGE>
Section 13.7 Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of the Agent.
------------------------------------------------
(a) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent
undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically
set forth in this Agreement.
(b) In the absence of bad faith, the Agent may conclusively rely, as
to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Agent
conforming to the requirements of this Agreement or the Loan Documents.
(c) During the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise of its duties
hereunder as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances
when acting on behalf of another Person in the conduct of such other
Person's affairs.
(d) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Agent from liability for its own gross negligence or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) the Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith by an officer of the Agent unless the Agent was grossly
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(ii) the Agent shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
the direction of the requisite Lenders.
(e) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Agent 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.
(f) (i) The Company shall indemnify the Agent, the Lenders and their
respective directors, officers, employees and agents from, and hold each of
them harmless against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims or damages
to which any of them may become subject, or which the Agent or the Lenders
may reasonably incur as a result of the execution, delivery or performance
under the Loan Documents, or as a result of the Agent's serving as such
thereunder (including, without limitation, counsel fees and disbursements
and environmental liabilities arising from or related to any of the
properties described in the Loan Documents), (ii) each Lender severally
agrees to indemnify the Agent, to the extent the Agent shall not have been
reimbursed by the Company, ratably in accordance with the percentage of
such Lenders commitments to fund the Line of Credit, or if the Line of
Credit has been terminated, the percentage of the outstanding principal
amount of the Revolving Loans held by such Lender (as to each Lender, its
"Percentage Interest"), for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages,
56
<PAGE>
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses which the Agent may
incur as a result of the execution, delivery or performance under the Loan
Documents or as a result of the Agent's serving as such thereunder
(including, without limitation, counsel fees and disbursements and
environmental liabilities arising from or related to any of the properties
described in the Loan Documents and any actions taken by the Agent at the
direction of the Lenders and as expressly required and provided by this
Agreement, to enforce any of the Loan Documents), but in all such cases
excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses
incurred by reason of the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith
of the Agent and excluding the normal administrative costs and expenses
incident to the performance of its agency duties hereunder.
(g) The Agent shall not be responsible for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties herein or in any of the Loan Documents or for
insuring or inspecting the Collateral or for paying or discharging any tax,
assessment, governmental charge or lien affecting the Collateral, nor shall
the Agent be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or
observance of any covenants, conditions or agreements of the Company or the
Parent contained herein or in any of the Loan Documents, including but not
limited to agreements by the Company to maintain insurance and pay taxes;
provided, however, that nothing in this subsection (g) shall relieve the
Agent of the performance of any of its duties specifically set forth in
this Agreement.
(h) The Agent makes no representation or warranty as to the validity,
sufficiency or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents against any other Person, as to the value, title, condition,
fitness for use of, or otherwise with respect to the Collateral or as to
the perfection of the liens or security interests created by this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents and, the Agent shall not be held liable for
any failure to perfect any lien or security interest in any of the
Collateral.
(i) The Agent may rely upon and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon and, absent a request by the Required Lenders,
shall not be bound to investigate the facts or matters stated in any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, direction, consent, order, bond, note or other paper or document
reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties.
(j) The Agent may consult with counsel, appraisers, engineers,
accountants and other skilled persons to be selected by the Agent and which
are reasonably acceptable to the Lenders and the written advice of any
thereof shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect
of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and
in reasonable reliance thereon.
(k) The provisions of this Section 13.7 apply to and are for the
benefit of the Agent only in its capacity as such, and not in its capacity
as a Lender.
Section 13.8 Resignation; Removal; Appointment of Successor Agent. The
----------------------------------------------------
Agent may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days' prior notice thereof to
the Lenders (such
57
<PAGE>
resignation to take effect upon the acceptance of a successor collateral agent
as hereinafter provided). The Agent may be removed as Agent hereunder for or
without cause, at any time by the Required Lenders. In the event of any such
resignation or removal of the Agent, the Required Lenders shall thereupon have
the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no acceptable successor Agent shall
have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such
appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of notice of
resignation or its removal, the retiring Agent shall, on behalf of the Lenders,
appoint a successor agent. Any successor agent appointed by the Agent pursuant
to this Section shall be a financial institution organized under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $200,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
agent hereunder by a successor agent, such successor agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Agent, and the retiring or removed Agent shall
thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any
retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as agent, the
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect
of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the
agent.
Section 13.9 Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Company hereby grants
--------------------------
to the Agent and each Lender a lien for all indebtedness and obligations owing
to them from the Company upon all deposits or deposit accounts, of any kind, or
any interest in any deposits or deposit accounts thereof, now or hereafter
pledged, mortgaged, transferred or assigned to the Agent or any such Lender or
otherwise in the possession or control of the Agent or any such Lender for any
purpose for the account or benefit of the Company and including any balance of
any deposit account or of any credit of the Company with the Agent or any such
Lender, whether now existing or hereafter established hereby authorizing the
Agent and each Lender at any time or times with or without prior notice to apply
such balances or any part thereof to such of the indebtedness and obligations
owing by the Company to the Lenders and/or the Agent then past due and in such
amounts as they may elect, and whether or not the collateral, if any, or the
responsibility of other Persons primarily, secondarily or otherwise liable may
be deemed adequate. For the purposes of this paragraph, all remittances and
property shall be deemed to be in the possession of the Agent or any such Lender
as soon as the same may be put in transit to it by mail or carrier or by other
bailee.
(b) Each Lender agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right of setoff
or counterclaim or resort to collateral security or otherwise, receive payment
of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal and interest owing with
respect to the Loans held by it which is greater than the proportion received by
any other Lender in respect of the aggregate amount of all principal and
interest owing with respect to the Loans held by such other Lender, the Lender
receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such
participations in the Loans held by the other Lenders owing to such other
Lenders, and such other adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that
all such payments of principal and interest with respect to the Loans held by
the Lenders owing to such other Lenders shall be shared by the Lenders pro rata;
provided that (i) nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Lender
- --------
to exercise any right of setoff or counterclaim it may have and to apply the
amount subject to such exercise to the payment of indebtedness of the Company
other than its indebtedness under the Loans, and (ii) if all or any portion of
such payment received by the purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such
58
<PAGE>
purchasing Lender, such purchase from each other Lender shall be rescinded and
such other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price of
such participation to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal
to such other Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the
amount of such other Lender's required repayment to (y) the total amount so
recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered.
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under
applicable law, that any holder of a participation in a Loan, whether or not
acquired pursuant to the foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of setoff
or counterclaim and other rights with respect to such participation as fully as
if such holder of a participation were a direct creditor of the Company in the
amount of such participation.
Section 13.10 Amendments and Waivers. (a) Any provision of this
----------------------
Agreement or any other Loan Documents may be amended or waived if, but only if,
such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company and the
Required Lenders (and, if the rights or duties of the Agent are affected
thereby, by the Agent); provided that, no such amendment or waiver shall, unless
--------
signed by all Lenders: (i) change the commitment under the Line of Credit of any
Lender or subject any Lender to any additional obligation, (ii) change the
principal of or rate of interest on any Loan or any fees (other than fees
payable to the Agent) hereunder, (iii) change the date fixed for any payment of
principal of or interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder, (iv) change the
amount of principal, interest or fees due on any date fixed for the payment
thereof, (v) change the percentage of the commitments under the Line of Credit
or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or the percentage of
Lenders, which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any
action under this Section or any other provision of this Agreement, (vi) change
the manner of application of any payments made under this Agreement or the
Loans, (vii) release or substitute all or any substantial part of the Collateral
unless expressly permitted under the Loan Documents, (viii) release any
Guarantee given to support payment of the Loans, or (ix) change the advances
rates set forth in Section 3.1 clauses (i) and (ii) hereof.
(b) The Company will not solicit, request or negotiate for or with respect
to any proposed waiver or amendment of any of the provisions of this Agreement
unless the Agent and each Lender shall be informed thereof by the Company and
shall be afforded an opportunity of considering the same and shall be supplied
by the Company with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed
decision with respect thereto. Executed or true and correct copies of any
waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be
delivered by the Company to the Agent each Lender forthwith following the date
on which the same shall have been executed and delivered by the requisite
percentage of Lenders. The Company will not, directly or indirectly, pay or
cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional
interest, fee or otherwise, to any Lender (in its capacity as such) as
consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such Lender of any
waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement unless
such remuneration is concurrently paid, on the same terms, ratably to all such
Lenders.
Section 13.11 Rights of Agent and its Affiliates as a Lender. With
----------------------------------------------
respect to the Loans made by the Agent and any affiliate of the Agent, CITBC in
its capacity as a Lender hereunder and any affiliate of the Agent or such
affiliate in its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and
powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same
59
<PAGE>
as though CITBC were not acting as the Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders"
shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include CITBC in its individual
capacity and any Affiliate of the Agent in its individual capacity. The Agent
and any affiliate of the Agent may (without having to account therefor to any
Lender) lend money to and generally engage in any kind of lending or other
business with the Company (and any affiliate of the Company) as if CITBC were
not acting as the Agent, and the Agent and any affiliate of the Agent may accept
fees and other consideration from the Company (in addition to any agency fees,
collateral fees and arrangement fees heretofore agreed to between the Company
and the Agent) for services in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.
Section 13.12 CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THE AGENT SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE
---------------------
OR LIABLE TO ANY LENDER, THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY
PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF
THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THEREBY.
[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON NEXT PAGE]
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Financing Agreement to
be executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the
date set forth above.
THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
as Lender and as Agent
By:_______________________________________________
Vice President
Commitment: $29,000,000
GORGES QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.,
as the Company
By:_______________________________________________
Title:_____________________________________
___________________________________________ (Seal)
Secretary
61
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
TERM NOTE
March 5, 1999
$__________
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation ( the
"Company"), promises to pay to the order of
_______________________________________ (herein "the Lender") at the office of
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. located at 1200 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 150,
Atlanta, Georgia, 30338, in lawful money of the United States of America and in
immediately available funds, the principal amount of ___________________ MILLION
__________________________ THOUSAND, ____________________ HUNDRED DOLLARS
($_________________________) and interest thereon in accordance with the payment
terms therefor as set forth in the Financing Agreement referred to below (the
"Financing Agreement").
- ---------- ---------
If any payment on this Term Note becomes due and payable on a day other than a
Business Day for Base Rate Loans, or a LIBOR Business Day for LIBOR Loans
evidenced hereby, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day or LIBOR Business Day, and with respect to payments of principal,
interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such
extension.
This Term Note is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Financing Agreement,
dated of even date herewith, between the Company, The CIT Group/Business Credit,
Inc., as Agent and a Lender, and the other Lenders party thereto, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, and is subject to, and entitled to,
all provisions and benefits thereof and is subject to optional and mandatory
prepayment, in whole or in part, as provided therein.
Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default specified in the
Financing Agreement or upon termination of the Financing Agreement, all amounts
then remaining unpaid on this Term Note may become, or be declared to be, at the
sole election of the Lenders, immediately due and payable as provided in the
Financing Agreement.
This Term Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Term Note has been executed and delivered as
of the day and year first above written.
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
By:________________________________
Title:__________________________
____________________________ (Seal)
Secretary
62
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EXHIBIT B
---------
Borrowing Base Certificate
Reference is made to the Financing Agreement dated as of March 5, 1999
(as modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time, the "Financing
Agreement"), by and among The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent (the
"Agent"), the other Lenders party thereto, and Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc. as
Company (the "Company"). Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
ascribed thereto in the Financing Agreement.
Pursuant to Section [2.2(d)][3.2] of the Financing Agreement,
____________________, the duly authorized officer of the Company, hereby
certifies to the Agent and the Lenders that the calculations of the Borrowing
Base of the Company contained in this Borrowing Base Certificate is true,
accurate and complete in all material respects as of _________, ___.
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
By:_______________________________
Title:
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<PAGE>
I. Collateral Calculation
1. Total Accounts Receivable $________
2. Ineligibles:
a. Returns, discounts, etc. $_________
b. Governmental Accounts $_________
c. Foreign Accounts $_________
d. Past due Accounts $_________
e. Contra Accounts $_________
f. Intercompany Accounts $_________
g. Bill and holds/consignments $_________
h. Insolvent/bankrupt debtors $_________
i. Crossage (50%) $_________
j. Warranty Reserves $_________
k. Other Accounts excluded by Agent $_________
l. Estimated Promotional Allowances $_________
3. Total ineligibles (sum of 2.a through 2. k,
inclusive) $_________
4. Eligible Accounts Receivable (sum of 1 less 3) $_________
5. Total Inventory (gross) $_________
6. Ineligibles $_________
a. Non-conforming Inventory $_________
b. Work-in-process $_________
c. Supplies (other than raw material) $_________
d. Goods outside U.S. $_________
e. Goods returned by customers $_________
f. Goods in possession of or in transit to third
parties $_________
g. Slow moving/obsolete goods $_________
h. Reserves for special order/market value
declines/bill and holds/consignments $_________
7. Total ineligibles (sum of 6. a through 6.h, inclusive) $_________
8. Eligible Inventory (sum of 5 less 7) $_________
9. Eligible Finished Goods Inventory (goods included
in 8 above consisting of finished goods not included
in 6 above) $_________
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<PAGE>
10. Eligible Raw Meat Inventory (goods included
in 8 above consisting of [raw meat] not included
in 6 above) $__________
11. Eligible Supply Inventory (goods included
in 8 above consisting of [ingredients and
packaging] not included in 6 above) $__________
II. Calculation of Availability
1. Eligible Accounts Receivable (I.4) $__________
2. 0.85 times 1 $__________
3. Eligible Finished Goods Inventory (I.9) $__________
4. 0.65 times 3 $__________
5. Eligible Raw Meat Inventory (I.10) $__________
6. 0.65 times 5 $__________
7. Eligible Supply Inventory (I. 11) $__________
8. 0.40 times 7 $ _________
9. lesser of 8 and $1,000,000 $__________
10. Sum of 4, 6 and 9 $__________
11. Lesser of 10 and $10,000,000 $__________
12. Sum of 2 and 11 $__________
13. Availability Reserve-aggregate amount of
outstanding Letters of Credit $__________
14. Availability (sum of 12, less 13)` $__________
15. Aggregate outstanding amount of Revolver Loans $__________
16. Sum of 14 less 15 $__________
17. Sum of $25,000,000 less 15 $__________
18. Amount available to be borrowed (lesser of 16
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<PAGE>
and 17) $___________
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
---------
Notice of LIBOR Loan
--------------------
_________, 199___
Re: Financing Agreement (as amended and modified from time to time, the
"Financing Agreement") dated as of March 5, 1999, by and among The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent (the "Agent"), the other Lenders
party thereto, and Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc., as Company (the
"Company").
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have
the meanings attributed thereto in the Financing Agreement.
This Notice of LIBOR Loan is delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.2 of
the Financing Agreement.
The Company hereby requests a LIBOR Loan [as an advance] [as a Refunding
Loan] under the Line of Credit in the aggregate principal amount of
$____________ to be made on __________, 199 , and for the interest to accrue
thereon at the rate established by the Financing Agreement for LIBOR Loans. The
duration of the Interest Period with respect to such LIBOR Loan shall be [1
month] [2 months] [3 months] [6 months].
The Company has caused this Notice of LIBOR Loan to be executed and
delivered by its duly authorized officer this __ day of ________, 199_.
Company
By:__________________________ _________________________(Seal)
Title:____________________ Secretary
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
---------
Notice of Base Rate Loan
------------------------
_________, 199___
Re: Financing Agreement (as amended and modified from time to time, the
"Financing Agreement") dated as of March 5, 1999, by and among The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent (the "Agent"), the other Lenders
party thereto, and Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc., as Company (the
"Company").
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have
the meanings attributed thereto in the Financing Agreement.
This Notice of Base Rate Loan is delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.2
of the Financing Agreement.
The Company hereby requests a Base Rate Loan [as an advance] [as a
Refunding Loan] under the Line of Credit in the aggregate principal amount of
$____________ to be made on __________, 199 , and for the interest to accrue
thereon at the rate established by the Financing Agreement for Base Rate Loans.
The Company has caused this Notice of LIBOR Loan to be executed and
delivered by its duly authorized officer this __ day of ________, 199_.
Company
By:_____________________ _________________________(Seal)
Title:_______________ Secretary
68
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
---------
Indebtedness
1. $52,000,000 of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 pursuant to that
certain Indenture dated as of November 25, 1996, between Gorges/Quik-to-
Fix Foods, Inc. and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust, as Trustee.
2. That certain Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note, dated December 21,
1999, in the original principal amount of $4,052,451.30 issued by
Gorges/Quik-to-Fix Foods, Inc. in favor of Gorges Holding Corporation.
3. That certain Letter of Credit (No. L921361) in the stated amount of
$875,000 issued by NationsBank, N.A. for the account of Gorges/Quik-to-
Fix Foods, Inc.
69
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
---------
[Letterhead of Gorges Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc.
March 5, 1999
IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
One State Street
New York 10004
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: 11 1/2%Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2006 in the original principal
amount of $100,000,000 issued pursuant to Indenture dated as of
November 25, 1996 between Gorges/Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc., as the
Issuer, and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as the Trustee (as
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Indenture").
Capitalized terms which are defined in the Indenture have the same
meanings herein, unless otherwise indicated.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 10.10 of the Indenture, you hereby are notified that
the Credit Agreement described in the Indenture is being replaced by a Financing
Agreement of even date herewith between the Issuer, as the Company, The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent and a Lender, and the other Lenders party
thereto, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the
"Replacement Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to the Replacement Credit Agreement,
the Lenders thereunder are making available to the Issuer a revolving credit,
letter of credit and term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $54,000,000.
The Replacement Credit Agreement shall hereafter constitute the Credit Agreement
for all purposes under the Indenture, and the "Obligations" thereunder and as
defined therein constitute (x) Obligations under the Credit Agreement, (y)
Senior Bank Debt and (z) Senior Indebtedness for all purposes under the
Indenture.
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent under the Replacement Credit
Agreement, shall constitute the Representative for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness thereunder. Notices to such Representative shall be given to it
at:
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
1200 Ashwood Parkway
Suite 150
70
<PAGE>
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Attn: Regional Credit Manager
or such other address as such Representative may designate in writing to you.
Very truly yours,
GORGES/QUIK-TO-FIX FOODS, INC.
By:___________________________
Title:
cc: Ms. Mary Reasoner
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
71
<PAGE>
Exhibit G
---------
March 5, 1999
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
1200 Ashwood Parkway
Suite 150
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Attn: Regional Credit Manager
Re: (i) the Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note of Gorges Holding
Corporation (the "Parent") dated December 21, 1998 to CGW Southeast
Partners III, L.P. ("CGW") in the original principal amount of
$4,052,451.30, and any renewals or substitutions or replacements
therefor and (ii) the Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note of
Gorges Quik-To-Fix Foods, Inc. (the "Company") dated December 21, 1998
to the Parent in the original principal amount of $4,052,451.30, and
any renewals or substitutions or replacements therefor (collectively,
the "Bridge Notes"). Capitalized terms which are defined in the Bridge
Notes have the same meanings herein, unless otherwise indicated.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby acknowledge and agree that the Credit Agreement
described in the Bridge Notes is being refinanced pursuant to and replaced by a
Financing Agreement of even date herewith between the Company, as the Company,
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as Agent and a Lender, and the other
Lenders party thereto, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time
(the "Replacement Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to the Replacement Credit
Agreement, the Lenders thereunder are making available to the Company a
revolving credit, letter of credit and term loan facility in the aggregate
amount of $54,000,000. The Replacement Credit Agreement shall hereafter
constitute the Credit Agreement for all purposes under the Bridge Notes, and the
indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by the maker thereunder and the
interest thereon constitute Senior Debt for all purposes under the Bridge Notes.
The undersigned further agree that The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as
Agent under the Replacement Credit Agreement, shall constitute the
representative for the holders of Senior Debt thereunder, and may give and
receive notices under the Bridge Notes on behalf of the "Lenders" under the
72
<PAGE>
Replacement Credit Agreement. Notices to such representative shall be given to
it at:
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
1200 Ashwood Parkway
Suite 150
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Attn: Regional Credit Manager
or such other address as such representative may designate in writing to the
undersigned.
In addition, CGW hereby agrees that, so long as the Replacement Credit
Agreement is in effect, and any "Letters of Credit" or "Obligations" (as those
terms are defined therein), other than indemnification obligations as to which
no claim has arisen but which would survive the termination of the Replacement
Credit Agreement, are outstanding, it will not sell or transfer or grant, create
or permit to exist any lien upon or security interest in its shares of capital
stock in the Parent, and hereby represents and warrants that as of the date
hereof, it is the owner of its shares of capital stock in the Parent, free and
clear of any liens or encumbrances whatsoever.
Very truly yours,
GORGES HOLDING CORPORATION CGW SOUTHEAST PARTNERS III., L.P.
By: CGW SOUTHEAST III, L.L.C.
its General Partner
By:________________________
Title: By: CGW, Inc., its Manager
By:____________________________
Title:
73
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