SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT -- January 30, 1998
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)
BRUNO'S, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number 0-6544
Alabama 63-0411801
- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
(State of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation) Identification No.)
800 Lakeshore Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35211
- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
(Address of principal (Zip Code)
executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number including area code: 205-940-9400
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
- ----------------------------------------------
On January 30, 1998, pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of January 13, 1998 by and between Bruno's, Inc., an Alabama
corporation (the "Registrant"), and Albertson's, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Albertson's"), Albertson's acquired from the Registrant the stock of Seessel
Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Registrant, for $88 million (subject to
certain post-closing adjustments). The purchase price was determined by
arms-length negotiations between the parties.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
- ------------------------------------------
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements are filed with this report:
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 1, 1997
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Year ended February 1, 1997
Nine Months Ended November 1, 1997
The Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Registrant as
of November 1, 1997, reflects the financial position of the Registrant after
giving effect to the sale of the stock of Seessel Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary
of the Registrant, and assumes the disposition took place on November 1, 1997.
The Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
fiscal year ended February 1, 1997, and the nine months ended November 1, 1997,
assume that the disposition took place on December 10, 1996 (the date on which
the Registrant completed the acquisition of the outstanding stock of Seessel
Holdings, Inc. as described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended February 1, 1997).
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
have been prepared by the Registrant based upon assumptions deemed proper by it.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements presented
herein are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily
indicative of the future financial position or future results of operations of
the Registrant or of the financial position or results of operations of the
Registrant that would have actually occurred had the transaction been in effect
as of the date or for the periods presented. In addition, it should be noted
that the Registrant's financial statements will reflect the disposition only
from January 30, 1998, the closing date.
The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the historical financial statements and related notes of the
Registrant.
(c) Exhibits
10.50 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 13, 1998 by and
between the Registrant and Albertson's.
2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
----------
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.
BRUNO'S, INC.
By /s/ Walter M. Grant
------------------------
Walter M. Grant
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
February 17, 1998
3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
Exhibit Number Description
-------------- -----------
10.50 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 13, 1998 by
and between the Registrant and Albertson's.
4
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BRUNO'S, INC.
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1997
UNAUDITED
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pro Forma Adjustments
Historical Seessel Holdings, Inc. (a) Other (c) Pro Forma
---------- -------------------------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash $ 3,167 $ 539 $ 2,628
Receivables 18,992 1,684 17,308
Inventories 210,607 6,805 203,802
Other current assets 13,104 287 12,817
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total current assets 245,870 9,315 - 236,555
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Property and equipment, net 452,332 28,353 423,979
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Noncurrent Assets
Goodwill, net 48,944 38,113 10,831
Intangibles and other assets, net 33,662 - 33,662
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total noncurrent assets 82,606 38,113 44,493
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total $ 780,808 $ 75,781 $ 705,027
================== =================== ================ ==============
LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY IN NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 3,755 $ - $ 3,755
Accounts payable 167,047 4,350 162,697
Other accrued expenses 69,381 2,236 67,145
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 240,183 6,586 - 233,597
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt 904,195 88,000(b) 816,195
Capitalized lease obligations 14,290 14,290
Other noncurrent liabilities 45,380 45,380
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total noncurrent liabilities 963,865 - 88,000 875,865
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Deficiency in Net Assets
Common stock 255 255
Paid-in-capital (586,944) (586,944)
Retained earnings 165,526 69,195 (88,000)(b) 184,331
Shareholder's notes receivable (2,077) (2,077)
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total deficiency in net assets (423,240) 69,195 (88,000) (404,435)
------------------ ------------------- ---------------- --------------
Total $ 780,808 $ 75,781 $ - $ 705,027
================== =================== ================ ==============
</TABLE>
(a) To eliminate the assets and liabilities of Seessel Holdings, Inc.
(Seessel's) included in the balance sheet as of November 1, 1997.
(b) To reflect the repayment of long-term debt with proceeds from the sale of
Seessel's.
(c) During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Registrant conducted an
evaluation of the realizability of its net deferred tax asset. Based on the
results of the evaluation, the Registrant fully reserved its net deferred
tax asset. Therefore, no income tax benefit or expense has been reflected,
and the impact on deferred tax balances has been fully reserved.
5
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BRUNO'S, INC.
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE 53 WEEK PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997
UNAUDITED
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
HISTORICAL SEESSEL HOLDINGS, INC. (A) DIVESTED STORES (B) OTHER PRO FORMA
--------------- -------------------------- ------------------- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 2,899,044 $ 29,901 $ 224,613 $ 2,644,530
---------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- -----------------
Cost and Expenses
Cost of products sold 2,202,753 21,020 168,555 2,013,178
Store operating, selling 548,210 7,524 56,675 484,011
and administrative
expenses
Loss on divestiture of 88,588 - 88,588 -
stores
Depreciation and 55,911 819 5,810 49,282
amortization
Interest expense, net 83,794 - 6,549 1,089 (c) 76,156
------- -------------- -------------------- --------- -----------------
Total costs and expenses 2,979,256 29,363 326,177 1,089 2,622,627
---------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- -----------------
Loss before income taxes (80,212) 538 (101,564) (1,089) 21,903
Income taxes (30,697) 204 (d) (38,594) (d) (414) (d) 8,107
---------------- -------------- ------- ---------- -----------------
Net Earnings (loss) before
extraordinary item $ (49,515) $ 334 $ (62,970) $ (675) $ 13,796
=============== ============== ==================== ============= =================
Average Shares
Outstanding and common
stock equivalents 25,184 5,800 (e) 30,984
================ ========= =================
Earnings (loss) Per Share
before extraordinary item $ (1.97) $ 0.54
=============== =================
(a) To eliminate the income and expenses included in the Statement of
Operations of the Registrant's subsidiary Seessel Holdings, Inc.
(Seessel's) for the 53 weeks ended February 1, 1997.
(b) To eliminate from current operations the impact of the Registrant's
Divestiture Program described in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended February 1, 1997.
(c) To reflect the impact on interest expense of the use of the $88 million in
proceeds from the sale of Seessel's for the period during which the
Registrant owned Seessel's during the prior fiscal year.
(d) Income tax expense for the year is assumed to be 38%, the Registrant's
effective tax rate for its fiscal year ended February 1, 1997.
(e) To adjust for common stock equivalents.
6
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BRUNO'S, INC.
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE 39 WEEK PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997
UNAUDITED
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
HISTORICAL SEESSEL HOLDINGS, INC. (A) OTHER PRO FORMA
---------- -------------------------- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 1,940,751 $ 133,116 $ 1,807,635
----------------- ------------------------ --------------- ----------------
Cost and Expenses
Cost of products sold 1,512,369 97,386 1,414,983
Store operating, selling and administrative 392,507 29,108 363,399
expenses
Impairment of long-lived assets 11,448 - 11,448
Depreciation and amortization 45,292 4,945 40,347
Interest expense, net 65,131 - 5,362 (b) 59,769
----------------- ------------------------ --------------- ----------------
Total costs and expenses 2,026,747 131,439 5,362 1,889,946
----------------- ------------------------ --------------- ----------------
Loss before income taxes (85,996) 1,677 (5,362) (82,311)
Income taxes 7,792 - - (c) 7,792
----------------- ------------------------ --------------- ----------------
$Net Loss before extraordinary item $ (93,788) $ 1,677 $ (5,362) (90,103)
================= ======================== =============== ================
Average Shares Outstanding 25,353 25,353
================= ================
Earnings (loss) Per Share $ (3.70) $ (3.55)
================= ================
</TABLE>
(a) To eliminate the income and expenses included in the Statement of
Operations of the Registrant's subsidiary Seessel Holdings, Inc.
(Seessel's) for the 39 weeks ended November 1, 1997.
(b) To reflect the impact on interest expense of the use of the $88 million in
proceeds from the sale of Seessel's for the 39 weeks ended November 1,
1997.
(c) During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Registrant conducted an
evaluation of the realizability of its net deferred tax asset. Based on the
results of the evaluation, the Registrant fully reserved its net deferred
tax asset. Therefore, no income tax benefit or expense has been reflected,
and the impact on deferred tax balances has been fully reserved.
7
NYFS10...:\80\56880\0003\1187\RPT2138S.02A
EXECUTION COPY
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
By and Between
BRUNO'S, INC.
and
ALBERTSON'S, INC.
Dated as of January 13, 1998
<PAGE>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE 1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF CAPITAL STOCK...... 1
1.1 Agreement to Purchase and Sell..................... 1
ARTICLE 2. CLOSING PAYMENT; PURCHASE PRICE; TERMS............. 2
2.1 Closing Payment and Purchase Price................. 2
2.2 Terms of Payment................................... 2
2.3 Working Capital Adjustment......................... 2
ARTICLE 3. CLOSING AND PRE-CLOSING MATTERS.................... 5
3.1 The Closing........................................ 5
3.2 Stockholder's Deliveries........................... 6
3.3 Purchaser's Deliveries............................. 6
3.4 Procurement of Third-Party Approvals............... 6
ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE STOCKHOLDER.................................... 6
4.1 Title to Shares.................................... 6
4.2 Authority; Binding Effect.......................... 7
4.3 No Violation....................................... 7
4.4 Third Party Approvals.............................. 8
4.5 Suppliers.......................................... 8
4.6 Propriety of Past Payments......................... 8
4.7 Corporate Organization and Authority
of Company....................................... 9
4.8 Affiliates......................................... 9
4.9 Capitalization..................................... 9
4.10 Options and Other Rights........................... 10
4.11 Qualification...................................... 10
4.12 Financial Statements............................... 10
4.13 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................. 11
4.14 Absence of Material Adverse Changes................ 12
4.15 Compliance with Laws............................... 12
4.16 Taxes.............................................. 13
4.17 Title to Assets.................................... 16
4.18 Real Property...................................... 16
-i-
<PAGE>
4.19 Tangible Personal Property......................... 18
4.20 Personal Property Leases........................... 18
4.21 Inventory.......................................... 19
4.22 Intellectual Property.............................. 19
4.23 Licenses........................................... 20
4.24 Litigation......................................... 20
4.25 Contracts.......................................... 20
4.26 Governmental Consents.............................. 23
4.27 Employee Plans and Contracts....................... 23
4.28 Labor and Employee Matters......................... 25
4.29 Insurance.......................................... 26
4.30 Receivables........................................ 27
4.31 Transactions with Affiliates....................... 27
4.32 Books and Records.................................. 28
4.33 Product Liability.................................. 28
4.34 No Other Representations or Warranties............. 28
4.35 Limitation on Purchaser's
Representations.................................. 29
ARTICLE 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PURCHASER....................................... 29
5.1 Corporate Organization............................. 29
5.2 Corporate Authority................................ 29
5.3 No Violation....................................... 29
5.4 Investment Intent.................................. 30
5.5 Availability of Funds.............................. 30
5.6 Limitation on Stockholder
Representations.................................... 30
5.7 No Other Representations or
Warranties....................................... 30
ARTICLE 6. COVENANTS OF THE STOCKHOLDER....................... 31
6.1 Access to Properties and Records................... 31
6.2 Negotiations....................................... 31
6.3 Consents and Approvals............................. 31
6.4 Conduct of Business Pending Closing................ 32
6.5 Sale of Shares..................................... 35
6.6 Notification....................................... 35
6.7 Post-Closing Cooperation........................... 36
6.8 Enforcement of Covenant Not
to Compete....................................... 36
6.9 Assignment of Agreement with Arthur
N. Seessel....................................... 36
ARTICLE 7. COVENANTS OF PURCHASER............................. 37
7.1 Employee Benefits.................................. 37
7.2 Lease Guarantee.................................... 37
7.3 Confidentiality.................................... 37
-ii-
<PAGE>
7.4 Consents and Approvals............................. 38
7.5 Tax Elections...................................... 38
7.6 Assumption of Agreement with Arthur
N. Seessel....................................... 38
ARTICLE 8. INDEMNIFICATION.................................... 39
8.1 Indemnification by the Stockholder................. 39
8.2 Indemnification by Purchaser....................... 43
8.3 Indemnification Calculations Net
of Insurance..................................... 46
8.4 Tax Information.................................... 47
ARTICLE 9. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.............................. 47
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of
Purchaser........................................ 47
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of
the Stockholder.................................. 49
ARTICLE 10. TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT........................ 50
10.1 Methods of Termination............................. 50
10.2 Effect of Termination.............................. 51
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS........................... 51
11.1 Survival of Representations Warranties
and Covenants.................................... 51
11.2 Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party
Beneficiaries.................................... 51
11.3 Brokers and Finders................................ 52
11.4 Expenses........................................... 52
11.5 Publicity.......................................... 52
11.6 Notices............................................ 53
11.7 Entire Agreement................................... 54
11.8 Waivers; Amendments and Remedies................... 55
11.9 Severability....................................... 55
11.10 Headings........................................... 55
11.11 Counterparts; Terms................................ 55
11.12 Governing Law...................................... 56
11.13 Attribution Rules Regarding Knowledge.............. 57
11.14 Exhibits and Schedules............................. 57
11.15 Further Assurances................................. 57
11.16 Specific Performance............................... 57
11.17 Jurisdiction....................................... 58
11.18 Time of Essence.................................... 58
-iii-
<PAGE>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of January 13, 1998, by and
between BRUNO'S, INC., an Alabama corporation (the "Stockholder"), and
ALBERTSON'S, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Purchaser").
R E C I T A L S
---------------
A. Certain terms and phrases used in this Agreement are
defined on EXHIBIT A attached hereto.
B. The Stockholder legally and beneficially owns
all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of Seessel
Holdings, Inc. (the "Company").
C. The Company is engaged in the retail grocery business
within the Metropolitan area of Memphis, Tennessee, in connection with which the
Company operates a distribution center, commissary and bakery (together, the
"Business"), all of which operate under the name of "Seessel's".
D. The Stockholder desires to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser
desires to purchase from the Stockholder, all of the issued and outstanding
Common Shares of the Company, all on the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter set forth.
A G R E E M E N T S
-------------------
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals
(which are hereby incorporated by reference), the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements hereafter set forth and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF CAPITAL STOCK
1.1 Agreement to Purchase and Sell. On the Closing Date and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Stockholder shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Purchaser all,
but not less than all, the Common Shares owned by the Stockholder and Purchaser
shall purchase all, but not less than all, of the Common Shares owned by the
Stockholder (the "Shares").
<PAGE>
1.2 Delivery of Certificates. At the Closing hereunder, the
Stockholder shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser or its designee
stock certificates representing the Shares duly endorsed in blank for transfer
or accompanied by appropriate stock powers duly executed in blank.
ARTICLE 2. CLOSING PAYMENT; PURCHASE PRICE; TERMS
2.1 Closing Payment and Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase
price payable by Purchaser hereunder for the Shares shall be Eighty-Eight
Million dollars ($88,000,000) (the "Purchase Price").
2.2 Terms of Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be
made by Purchaser by wire transfer of same- day funds at closing to one account
designated in writing by the Stockholder to Purchaser no later than three
business days prior to the Closing Date.
2.3 Working Capital Adjustment.
2.3.1 Calculation of Working Capital
Adjustment. In accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3.1, Purchaser
and the Stockholder agree that to the extent that the Closing Working Capital
exceeds $4,550,000, Purchaser shall pay to the Stockholder such excess (the
"Excess Amount"), and to the extent that the Closing Working Capital is less
than $2,650,000, the Stockholder shall pay to Purchaser such shortfall (the
"Deficiency Amount"). For purposes of this Agreement, Closing Working Capital
shall mean the difference between the Company's current assets and current
liabilities, as derived from the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of
the business on the last business day immediately preceding the Closing Date
(the "Closing Balance Sheet"). The parties agree that the Closing Balance Sheet
shall reflect the current assets and current liabilities required to be included
therein by, and in accordance with, GAAP, except for the absence of notes and,
subject to the following: (i) the balance in the Company's current deferred tax
asset account shall be deemed to be $221,000, (ii) the balance in the Company's
current deferred tax liability account shall be deemed to be $0, (iii) the
balance in the Company's income tax receivable asset account shall be deemed to
be $139,425, (iv) the balance in the Company's income tax payable account shall
be deemed to be $0, (v) no items of accounts payable or current accrued
2
<PAGE>
liabilities shall be classified as long-term liabilities of the Company and (vi)
the Company's liability for severance and "pay to stay" bonuses shall be the
amount calculated as the severance and "pay to stay" bonuses in respect of the
individuals named in accordance with Paragraph 11 of Schedule 4.27.1 (including
the employer's share of applicable payroll-related Taxes) that would be payable
to all eligible employees of the Company assuming that such employees are
terminated prior to May 1, 1998 (as shown on Schedule 4.27.1)
2.3.2 Closing Balance Sheet and Closing
Statement. As promptly as practicable following the Closing, but in no event
later than thirty days following the Closing Date, the Stockholder (a) shall
prepare and deliver to Purchaser (i) the Closing Balance Sheet, (ii) a closing
statement (the "Closing Statement") showing the Closing Working Capital and the
determination of the Excess Amount or the Deficiency Amount, as the case may be,
and (iii) a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Stockholder to the
effect that, except as noted in Section 2.3.1, the Closing Balance Sheet has
been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly presents the financial
condition of the Company as of the Closing Date and (b) make available to
Purchaser all supporting documentation relating to the Closing Balance Sheet and
the Closing Statement. Purchaser shall cooperate with the Stockholder in the
preparation of the Closing Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Purchaser shall provide the
Stockholder and its Representatives with reasonable access, during normal
business hours, to the facilities, personnel and accounting records of the
Company and its Affiliates, to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the
Stockholder to prepare the Closing Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement.
2.3.3 Review of Closing Balance Sheet and
Closing Statement. During the 15 day period following Purchaser's receipt of the
Closing Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement (the "Review Period"), Purchaser
and its Representatives shall be afforded the opportunity to review the Closing
Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement and the supporting documentation
relating thereto. To the extent the Stockholder retains any books, records and
other documents of the Business, the Stockholder shall provide reasonable
assistance to Purchaser and its Representatives in connection with such review.
3
<PAGE>
2.3.4 Proposed Adjustment Notice. If
Purchaser believes that the Closing Balance Sheet was not prepared in accordance
with Section 2.3.1, Purchaser shall deliver to the Stockholder, prior to the
expiration of the Review Period, a proposed adjustment notice (a "Proposed
Adjustment Notice"). If Purchaser does not deliver a Proposed Adjustment Notice
to the Stockholder prior to the expiration of the Review Period, the Closing
Balance Sheet shall become final, binding and conclusive on both Purchaser and
the Stockholder.
2.3.5 Dispute Resolution. If a Proposed
Adjustment Notice is delivered within the period set forth in Section 2.3.3,
Purchaser and the Stockholder shall negotiate in good faith for a ten business
day period commencing on the date of delivery of the Proposed Adjustment Notice
to resolve such dispute. If Purchaser and the Stockholder cannot resolve such
dispute within such ten business day period, Purchaser and the Stockholder shall
retain a mutually acceptable accounting firm of nationally recognized reputation
to act as the arbitrator (the "Arbitrator") of such dispute. Any such
arbitration shall be conducted in New York, New York. If the parties are not
able to agree to an Arbitrator, then the office of the American Arbitration
Association, located in New York City, shall select a firm of independent public
accountants of nationally recognized reputation to serve as the Arbitrator. The
Arbitrator shall be requested to act promptly to resolve any dispute in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, it being understood that the sole
issue for the Arbitrator shall be whether the Closing Balance Sheet was prepared
in accordance with Section 2.3.1, and to issue its written decision within
thirty days after the appointment of such Arbitrator, which decision shall be
final, binding and conclusive on both Purchaser and the Stockholder. Purchaser
and the Stockholder shall cooperate with the Arbitrator in connection with this
Section 2.3.5. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Purchaser and
the Stockholder shall each provide, or cause to be provided to the Arbitrator
all information and records, and to make available at the arbitration proceeding
all personnel, as are reasonably necessary to permit the Arbitrator to resolve
any disputes pursuant to this Section 2.3.5. The expenses of the Arbitrator in
resolving any disputes under this Section 2.3.5 shall be borne equally by
Purchaser and the Stockholder.
4
<PAGE>
2.3.6 Payment of Excess Amount or Deficiency
Amount. Within three business days of the Closing Statement becoming final and
binding in accordance with Section 2.3.4 or Section 2.3.5, (a) if the Closing
Statement contains a Deficiency Amount, then the Stockholder shall pay to an
account designated by Purchaser in immediately available funds an amount equal
to the Deficiency Amount plus interest for the number of days from and including
the thirtieth day following the Closing Date to but excluding the payment date,
at a rate equal to 9.5%, compounded on the basis of actual days elapsed over a
365-day year, or (b) if the Closing Statement contains an Excess Amount, then
Purchaser shall pay to an account designated by the Stockholder in immediately
available funds an amount equal to the Excess Amount plus interest for the
number of days from and including the thirtieth day following the Closing Date
to but excluding the payment date, at a rate equal to 9.5%, compounded on the
basis of actual days elapsed over a 365- day year. The payment of any Excess
Amount or Deficiency Amount, including any interest accrued pursuant to this
Section 2.3.6, shall not be subject to any hold-backs, escrows or other
reductions or restrictions.
2.3.7 Intercompany Balances. Purchaser and
the Stockholder agree that as of immediately prior to the close of business on
the business day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the balance in the
"Intercompany Account" on the Company's balance sheet shall be eliminated
against shareholders' equity without any payment of cash.
ARTICLE 3. CLOSING AND PRE-CLOSING MATTERS
3.1 The Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby (the "Closing") shall take place on the date (the "Closing Date") which
is four business days following the earlier of the termination or expiration of
the required waiting period under the HSR Act with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or such later time as the parties may mutually
agree. The parties hereto agree to use their reasonable best efforts to make all
filings with respect to the HSR Act no later than the fifth business day
following the execution of this Agreement and to request early termination of
the waiting period under the HSR Act. The Closing will be held at the offices of
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 or at
such other time or place as the parties hereto shall agree in writing.
5
<PAGE>
3.2 Stockholder's Deliveries. Subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, simultaneously with Purchaser's
deliveries hereunder, the Stockholder shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
Purchaser the documents, instruments and materials set forth on Exhibit B, all
in form and substance provided for therein.
3.3 Purchaser's Deliveries. Subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, simultaneously with the Stockholder's
deliveries hereunder, Purchaser shall pay and deliver, or cause to be paid and
delivered, the monies, documents, instruments and materials set forth on Exhibit
C, all in form and substance provided for therein.
3.4 Procurement of Third-Party Approvals. As
soon as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, the parties shall
(a) subject to Section 3.1, make all filings required by Legal Requirements to
be made by them in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including all filings under the HSR Act) and (b) commence discussions
with any third Persons from whom releases, consents or other approvals are
required in connection with the transactions provided for herein. To the extent
practicable, all such discussions shall be conducted in a manner which is
coordinated with Purchaser and approved by it.
ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
STOCKHOLDER
The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser as
follows:
4.1 Title to Shares. (a) The Stockholder is the record and
beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to, the Shares free and clear
of any Liens, other than Liens set forth on Schedule 4.1 hereto, and, upon
delivery of and payment for the Shares as herein provided, the Stockholder will
convey to Purchaser valid and marketable title thereto, free and clear of any
Liens. No other Person will, as of the Closing Date, have any rights in, to or
under the Shares. The Stockholder holds all of the outstanding Common Shares of
the Company.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1, the
Stockholder is not a party to, or bound by, any agreement,
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instrument, proxy, understanding or commitment restricting
the transfer of the Shares.
4.2 Authority; Binding Effect. Subject to receipt of any
required consents provided for in Section 4.4, and except as shown on Schedule
4.2 hereto, the Stockholder has the full power, right and authority to enter
into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Additional Documents and to
carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement and the Additional Documents,
and the performance of the Stockholder's obligations hereunder and thereunder,
have been duly and validly authorized by its Board of Directors and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Stockholder are necessary to authorize
such execution, delivery and performance. This Agreement has been, and the
Additional Documents will be at Closing, duly executed by the Stockholder and,
assuming due and valid authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof
by Purchaser, are, in the case of this Agreement, and will be as of the Closing,
in the case of the Additional Documents, the valid and legally binding
obligations of the Stockholder, enforceable against the Stockholder in
accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless
of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
4.3 No Violation. Subject to receipt of any required consents
specified in Section 4.4 below, the execution, delivery and performance by the
Stockholder of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including under the Additional Documents), do not and will not conflict with or
result in, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, any
violation of or constitute a breach or default, or give rise to any right of
acceleration, payment, amendment, cancellation or termination, under (a) the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Stockholder or the Company or any
resolution adopted by the board of directors of the Company and not rescinded,
(b) any agreement or other instrument to which the Stockholder or the Company is
a party or by which the Stockholder or the Company or any of their respective
properties or assets is bound, (c) any order, judgment or decree of any
Governmental Entity to which any of the same is bound or subject, (d) any Legal
Requirement applicable to
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the Stockholder or the Company or any of their respective properties or assets
or (e) except as provided for herein, result in the imposition or creation of
any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Company's properties or assets,
except in the case of clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) to the extent that any such
conflict, violation, breach, default or right would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Third Party Approvals. Except for any approvals required
in order to comply with the provisions of the HSR Act, and except as reflected
on Schedule 4.4 hereto, the execution, delivery and performance by the
Stockholder of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including under the Additional Documents) do not require any consents, waivers,
authorizations or approvals of, or filings with, any third Persons which have
not been obtained by the Stockholder.
4.5 Suppliers. Since December 10, 1996, (a) no licensor,
vendor or supplier of the Company accounting for more than $200,000 of sales to
or by the Company in the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of this
Agreement has cancelled or otherwise modified its relationship with the Company
and (b) (i) to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, no such Person has any
intention to do so and (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement will not, by the terms of any agreement or arrangement with any
such licensor, vendor or supplier accounting for more than $200,000 of sales to
or by the Company in the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of this
Agreement, give any such Person the right to cancel or otherwise modify any such
relationship.
4.6 Propriety of Past Payments. Except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no
unrecorded fund or asset of the Company has been established for any purpose;
(b) no accumulation or use of the Company's corporate funds has been made
without being properly accounted for in the books and records of the Company;
(c) no payment has been made by or on behalf of the Company with the
understanding that any part of such payment is to be used for any purpose other
than that described in the documents supporting such payment; and (d) since
December 10, 1996, neither the Company nor, to the best knowledge of the
Stockholder, any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any
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other Person associated with or acting for or on behalf of the Company, has
directly or indirectly made any illegal contribution, bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other payment to any Person, private or public,
regardless of form, whether in money, property or services (i) to obtain
favorable treatment for the Company in securing business, (ii) to pay for
favorable treatment for business secured for the Company, (iii) to obtain
special concessions or for special concessions already obtained, for or in
respect of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or (iv) for the Company
in violation of any Legal Requirement.
4.7 Corporate Organization and Authority of Company. The
Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and has all requisite power and
corporate authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to
conduct the Business as now being conducted. The Stockholder has heretofore
delivered to the Purchaser or its representatives a complete and correct copy of
the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, as currently in
effect.
4.8 Affiliates. The Company does not own, directly or
indirectly, any investment (whether debt or equity) or other proprietary
interest in any corporation, association, trust, partnership, joint venture or
other entity, other than marketable securities acquired in the Ordinary Course
of Business pursuant to Section 6.4.17, and has no agreement to acquire any such
investment or proprietary interest.
4.9 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists solely of (a) 10,000 shares, no par value, of the Common
Shares, of which 1,333.33 shares are issued, outstanding and owned of record and
beneficially by the Stockholder; (b) 5,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
of which no shares are issued and outstanding; and (c) 15,000 shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, of which no shares are issued and outstanding. Except as stated
herein, no other shares of capital stock have been issued and remain
outstanding, and no other class of capital stock is authorized or outstanding.
All of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
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4.10 Options and Other Rights. There are no outstanding
options, warrants, agreements, calls, conversion rights, exchange rights,
preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise
acquire, or any other agreements or commitments of any character relating to the
sale, issuance or voting of, any shares of capital stock of the Company, whether
issued or unissued, or any securities convertible into or evidencing the right
to purchase any shares of capital stock of the Company.
4.11 Qualification. The Company is qualified as a foreign
corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Mississippi.
The only states in which the Company maintains offices or retail facilities are
Tennessee and Mississippi, and there exist no other jurisdictions in which a
failure to qualify to do business would, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
4.12 Financial Statements. Included in Schedule 4.12 are (a)
the balance sheets of the Company as of the last day of the two fiscal years of
the Company ended March 25, 1995 and March 30, 1996, and as of February 1, 1997,
together with the related statements of income for the fiscal years then ended
and, in the case of the fiscal years ended March 25, 1995 and March 30, 1996
(collectively, the "Audited Years"), statements of cash flows for such periods
and the notes to the financial statements for such years (together, the "Annual
Financial Statements") together with, in the case of the Audited Years, the
report thereon of KPMG Peat Marwick, independent certified public accountants,
and (b) the balance sheet of the Company (the "Interim Balance Sheet") as of
November 1, 1997 (the "Balance Sheet Date"), together with the related statement
of income for the nine months then ended and the balance sheets for the Company
as of November 29, 1997 and December 27, 1997 (together, the "Interim Financial
Statements" and, together with the Annual Financial Statements, the "Financial
Statements"). The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied, except for the absence of notes to the Annual
Financial Statement for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 and to the
Interim Financial Statements, (ii) present fairly the financial position,
results of operations and, as applicable, cash flows of the Company as of such
dates and for the periods then ended, and (iii) are in accordance with the books
of account and records of the Company, subject, in the case of the Interim
Financial Statements in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to
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normal year-end audit adjustments, the effect of which will not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. No financial statements of any
Person other than the Company are required by GAAP to be included in the
financial statements of the Company.
4.12.1 Financial Statements. Included in
Schedule 4.12 are the balance sheet of the Stockholder as at February 1, 1997,
January 27, 1996 and July 1, 1995, and the related statements of income and cash
flows for the fiscal year, 30-week period and fiscal year then ended, including
in each case the notes thereto, together with the report thereon of Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent certified accountants, for February 1, 1997 and January
26, 1996 and Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified accountants, for July 1,
1995 (the "Stockholder Financial Statements"). The Stockholder Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and
present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of
the Stockholder as of such dates and for the periods then ended.
4.13 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company has no
indebtedness, obligation or liability, of any kind whatsoever, absolute or
contingent, known or unknown, due or to become due, accrued or not (together,
the "Liabilities"), which is not shown or provided for in Schedule 4.13, except
for (a) Liabilities to the extent and in the amounts set forth or reserved
against in the Financial Statements, (b) Liabilities incurred since the Balance
Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business and which are not prohibited by
the provisions of Section 6.4 of this Agreement, (c) Liabilities on warranties,
express or implied, associated with the sale of goods from inventory in the
Ordinary Course of Business, and (d) Liabilities for the payment or performance
of executory obligations required by the terms of, or arising under, Contracts
and (e) Liabilities which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as shown in the Financial Statements or in
Schedule 4.13, the Company is not directly or indirectly liable upon or with
respect to, or obligated in any other way to provide funds in respect of, to
guarantee or to assume, any debt, obligation or dividend of any Person, except
endorsements in the Ordinary Course of Business in connection with the deposit
of checks and other items for collection. The Company has not incurred, nor will
it incur, any Liability in connection with or by reason of the consummation of
the transactions
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contemplated by, and except as provided for in, this Agreement or the Additional
Documents.
4.14 Absence of Material Adverse Changes. Except
as disclosed in Schedule 4.14 since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been,
(a) individually or in the aggregate, any material adverse change in the
financial condition, net worth, assets, liabilities, prospects or operations of
the Company ("Material Adverse Change"), other than seasonal changes, changes
relating to the economy in general or changes relating to the industry in which
the Business operates in general, it being understood that neither any change in
the financial condition, net worth, assets, liabilities, prospects or operations
of the Stockholder generally nor any change effected in order to satisfy the
condition to closing set forth in the parenthetical contained in Section 9.1.5
shall be a Material Adverse Change, or (b) any event or events, individually or
in the aggregate, which would violate Section 6.4 had any such event or events
occurred after the date hereof.
4.15 Compliance with Laws.
4.15.1 General. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.15, the Company is not in violation of, and the Business is being
conducted in accordance with, all Legal Requirements applicable thereto,
including with respect to employment, equal employment opportunity,
non-discrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining,
the payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational safety and health
and plant closing, the violation of which, individually or in the aggregate,
would or does have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has no knowledge
of, nor has received notice of, any failure to comply with any such Legal
Requirements which has not been properly addressed and disposed of, which
failure would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default with
respect to any order, judgment, award, injunction or decree of any court, except
to the extent that any such default would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.15.2 Environmental Laws. Other than as
disclosed in Schedule 4.15.2 and other than exceptions to any of the following
that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect: (a) the Company has not, nor has any other Person, generated, released
into the environment, used, stored, transported, disposed of or
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otherwise dealt with any Hazardous Substances on or about or from any Real
Property in any manner which creates or reasonably could be expected to create
liability for remedial action by the Company under any Environmental Law; (b) to
the best of the Stockholder's knowledge, there exist no sites included as part
of the Real Property on which any Person dumped, buried, injected, accidentally
discharged or otherwise disposed of Hazardous Substances; (c) the Company has
received no notice and has no knowledge that any of the Real Property or
operations on or relating thereto is included or has been considered for
inclusion in any federal, state or local list or registry of properties
contaminated by Hazardous Substances; (d) there are no existing notices of
violation, administrative actions or lawsuits against the Company arising under
any Environmental Law; and (e) the Company and all the Real Property and
operations thereon operated by the Company or, to the best knowledge of the
Stockholder, operated by third parties, are in compliance with all Environmental
Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15.2, (x) no underground or above-ground
containers for the storage of fuel oil, gasoline or other petroleum products or
by-products or other Hazardous Substances, which container has been operated by
the Company or, to the best of the Stockholder's knowledge, owned by the Company
or owned or operated by any third party are or have been located on, in or under
the Real Property, or (y) to the best of the Stockholder's knowledge, no
asbestos or asbestos containing materials requiring immediate or imminent
removal or abatement under any Environmental Law are located on, in or under the
Real Property. The Stockholder has provided to Purchaser copies of all reports,
assessments, investigations and test data or results relating to the
environmental condition of the Real Property and the operations thereon that are
in the possession of the Stockholder, the Company or, to the best of the
Stockholder's knowledge, their Representatives.
4.15.3 Notices. Schedule 4.15.3 describes
all governmental or regulatory authorities or other Persons or entities that
have contacted the Company concerning any unresolved alleged material liability
or material violation of any Legal Requirements. The Company has provided
Purchaser with copies of all material notices, correspondence, agreements and
other documents relating to matters listed on Schedule 4.15.3.
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4.16 Taxes. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.16:
4.16.1 All Tax Returns required to have been
filed by the Company with Governmental Entities have been duly and timely filed
except where the failure to file Tax Returns would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and each such return correctly
reflects in all material respects the Taxes required to be reported thereon. The
Company has timely paid all material Taxes shown to be due and payable on said
returns, incurred and accrued prior to the date hereof, or has adequately
recorded a liability for such material Taxes on its Financial Statements.
4.16.2 Schedule 4.16.2 lists all income Tax
Returns with respect to the Company for all Tax periods that have been audited
and indicates those income Tax Returns that as of the date of this Agreement are
the subject of an audit. No waiver extending the statute of limitations for any
income Tax Return has been executed by the Stockholders or the Company. As of
the date of this Agreement, other than as set forth in Schedule 4.16.2, (a) the
income Tax Returns of the Company have not been audited; (b) no agreements,
waivers or other arrangements exist providing for an extension of time with
respect to payment by, or assessment against, the Company in respect of any
income Taxes; (c) no unresolved suits, actions, claims or proceedings are
pending or have been threatened in writing against the Company in respect of any
income Taxes; and (d) the Company does not file any income Tax Returns in any
other jurisdiction.
4.16.3 As of the date of this Agreement, no
closing agreement pursuant to section 7121 of the Code (or any predecessor
provision) or any similar provision of any state or local law has been entered
into by or with respect to the Company.
4.16.4 No consent to the application of
Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (or any predecessor provision) has been made or
filed by or with respect to the Company or any of its assets or properties. None
of the assets or properties of the Company is an asset or property that is or
will be required to be treated as being owned by any other Person pursuant to
the provisions of section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended and in effect
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immediately before the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
4.16.5 The Company has duly and timely
withheld from employee salaries, wages and other compensation and timely paid
over to the appropriate Governmental Entities all amounts required to be so
withheld and paid over for all periods for which the statute of limitations has
not expired under all applicable laws and regulations except to the extent that
any violation of such laws and regulations would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.16.6 Without limiting the foregoing
representations in any way, the Company has collected all sales and use Taxes
required to be collected, and has remitted, or will remit on a timely basis,
such amounts to the appropriate Governmental Entities, except where the Company
has been furnished properly completed exemption certificates or where the
failure to collect or remit such Taxes would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company (a) has in its possession
all records and supporting documents required by all applicable sales and use
Tax statutes and regulations regarding the collection and payment of all sales
and use Taxes required to be collected and paid over and regarding all exempt
transactions for all periods open under the applicable statute of limitations as
of the Closing Date, and (b) has maintained all such records and supporting
documents in the manner required by all applicable sales and use Tax statutes
and regulations.
4.16.7 No power of attorney which is currently in
force has been granted by or with respect to the Company with respect to any
matter relating to material Taxes.
4.16.8 The Company has not received a
private letter ruling from the IRS (or similar ruling from any state or local
Governmental Entity) with respect to Taxes that would have an adverse effect on
the Company.
4.16.9 The Company is not required to
include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, by
reason of the voluntary change in accounting method (nor has any taxing
authority proposed in writing any such adjustment or change of accounting
method).
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4.16.10 Except as set forth on Schedule
4.25, the Company is not a party to, is bound by, or has an obligation under,
any Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnificatiOn agreement or similar contract or
arrangement.
4.16.11 The net operating losses of the
Company will not have been reduced in any taxable year of the Company between
December 10, 1996 and the Closing Date, by more than the annual limitation as
calculated pursuant to Section 382 of the Code which shall not exceed $4 million
in any taxable year. Such amount shall be increased for the carry-forward of any
unused limitation pursuant to Section 382(b)(2) of the Code.
4.17 Title to Assets. The Company has good and marketable
title to all of its assets, in each case free and clear of all Liens except for
Permitted Liens. The Stockholder does not have any right, title or interest in,
or claims to, any asset used by the Company in connection with the Business. As
used herein, the term "Permitted Liens" means: (A) as to all Real Property,
liens for real estate Taxes not yet due and payable; (B) minor imperfections in
title and Liens, if any, which (i) do not materially detract from the value of
the assets subject thereto, (ii) do not materially interfere with either the
present or continued use of such assets, or the conduct of Business as presently
conducted, and (iii) have arisen only in the Ordinary Course of Business; and
(C) any Liens described on Schedule 4.17.
4.18 Real Property.
4.18.1 The only real properties at which the
Company operates the Business or which are otherwise leased or used by the
Company are set forth in Schedule 4.18 (the "Real Property"). Except as set
forth in said Schedule, the Company is not a party to or otherwise subject to
any real property lease affecting the Business or any of the Company's assets,
copies of all of such leases therein scheduled having been provided or made
available to Purchaser. With respect to all Real Property listed in Schedule
4.18, the Company has good and marketable title in fee simple to all such Real
Property listed as owned ("Fee Property") and has good and valid leasehold
interests in all such Real Property listed as leased ("Leased Property"), in
each case free and clear of all Liens, charges or similar restrictions of any
nature whatsoever except for Permitted
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Liens. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no condemnation proceedings
or eminent domain proceedings of any kind pending or, to the best knowledge of
the Stockholder, threatened against the Real Property. All of the Real Property
is occupied under a valid and current certificate of occupancy or similar
permit; the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not require the
issuance of any new or amended certificate of occupancy; and there are no facts
which would prevent the Real Property from being occupied after the Closing in
the same manner as before the Closing.
4.18.2 To the best of the Stockholder's
knowledge, except for any Permitted Liens, all improvements on any Real Property
are wholly within the lot limits of such Real Property and do not encroach on
any adjoining premises and there are no encroachments on any Real Property by
any improvements located on any adjoining premises. There have not been by the
Company or the Stockholder any improvements made to or construction undertaken
on any Real Property within the period provided by law for the filing of
mechanic's liens.
4.18.3 The Company has heretofore furnished
to the Purchaser a true and complete copy of each lease and all amendments
thereto pertaining to any Leased Property (each, a "Real Property Lease").
Except as described on Schedule 4.18, the Company enjoys peaceful and quiet
possession of each Leased Property, and there is not under any lease of any of
the Leased Property any default by the Company thereunder or any condition which
with notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such a default, and
the Company has not received notice asserting the existence of any such default
or condition, except for any such default or condition which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Stockholder has no knowledge of any default under any Real Property Lease by the
landlord thereunder. Each Real Property Lease is a valid and binding obligation
of the Company and is in full force and effect with respect to the Company.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.18, the rental set forth in each Real Property
Lease is the actual rental being paid, and there are no separate agreements or
understandings with respect to the same. The Company has the full right to
exercise the renewal options contained in the Real Property Leases on the terms
and conditions contained therein and has no reason to believe that upon due
exercise it would not be
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entitled to enjoy the use of each Leased Property for the full term of such
renewal options.
4.18.4 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.18
or except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect, the buildings, plants and structures included in the Real
Property (collectively, the "Structures") are structurally sound, are in good
operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted and considering
the age of the asset in question, and are suitable for the uses for which they
were intended. The Structures are sufficient for the continued conduct of the
Business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior
to the Closing.
4.19 Tangible Personal Property. Except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or as
disclosed in Schedule 4.19, all tangible personal property of the Company is in
good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and,
considering the age of the asset in question, is suitable for the uses for which
intended; and, other than property on-order or subject to the Personal Property
Leases (as provided for in Section 4.20 below), the Company does not hold any
machinery, equipment, inventory, motor vehicles, furniture, fixtures, leasehold
improvements or other tangible personal property which is owned by any other
Person and used by the Company in the conduct of the Business. Except as shown
on said Schedule 4.19, all tangible personal property of the Company is
physically located on the Real Property. The personal property owned or leased
by the Company is sufficient for the continued conduct of the Business after the
Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.
4.20 Personal Property Leases. Set forth at Schedule 4.20 is a
true and correct list of all Personal Property Leases, other than those
constituting an Ordinary Course of Business Contract, to which the Company is a
party or by which any of its personal property is bound. True and complete
copies of all Personal Property Leases set forth on Schedule 4.20 have
heretofore been provided or made available to the Purchaser. The Company is not
in default with respect to any Personal Property Lease, and no event has
occurred which constitutes, or with due notice or lapse of time or both may
constitute, a default by the Company under any such Personal Property Lease.
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4.21 Inventory. All items of inventory, whether or not
reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet, are generally of a quality useable and
saleable in the Ordinary Course of Business except for obsolete items and items
of below- standard quality, all of which have been written off or written down
to net realizable value in the Interim Balance Sheet and on the accounting
records of the Company as of the Closing Date. All inventories not written off
have been priced at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis.
The quantities of inventory generally (whether raw materials, work-in-process or
finished goods) are reasonable in the present circumstances of the Company. All
items of inventory acquired or manufactured by the Company and in existence on
the Closing Date have been or will be acquired or manufactured in the Ordinary
Course of Business. All items of inventory of the Company in existence on the
Closing Date will be located at the Real Property. The Company has sufficient
inventory to conduct its business in the Ordinary Course of Business and without
any material disruption to the Business.
4.22 Intellectual Property. Except as shown in Schedule 4.22
or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect, (a) there are no Contracts entered into or binding upon the Company
restricting or affecting the Company's ownership, possession or use of any of
the intellectual property, including, without limitation, patents, patent
applications, unpatented inventions, copyrights, copyright applications, service
marks, trademarks, names and logos (including, without limitation, the name
"Seessel's"), whether or not registered, used in connection with the Business
(collectively, "Intellectual Property"); (b) no license, rights or interest has
been granted to third Persons with respect thereto; (c) each item of
Intellectual Property is owned by the Company and is not subject to any Liens
other than permitted Liens; (d) to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, each
item of Intellectual Property is not as of the date of this Agreement being
challenged or infringed, impaired, diluted or distorted by third parties, is not
as of the date of this Agreement involved in any pending or threatened
administrative or judicial proceeding, and the Company's ownership, possession
or use thereof does not conflict with any rights of any other Person; (e) the
Company is not conducting the Business in a manner which violates any of the
terms or conditions under which any Intellectual Property was acquired, obtained
or granted; (f) the Company is not in default or in violation of any
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Contract with respect to any of the Intellectual Property or the terms or
conditions by which such Intellectual Property was acquired or obtained; (g) no
event has occurred which constitutes, or with due notice or lapse of time or
both may constitute, a default by the Company under, or a violation of, any
Contract relating to any Intellectual Property; (h) none of the products or
operations employed by the Company in the conduct of the Business involves any
infringement of any proprietary right of any other person or entity; and (i) the
"Seessel's" trademark is duly filed or registered with the appropriate
authorities.
4.23 Licenses. The Company possesses all permits, licenses,
concessions, grants, filings, authorizations and approvals ("Licenses") required
by any Governmental Entity in order to conduct the Business in the Ordinary
Course of Business. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no proceedings
pending or, to the best of the Stockholder's knowledge, threatened, or any
notices received, which might reasonably be expected to result in the
revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification of any such
License.
4.24 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.24, there
are no claims, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any nature
pending as to which notice has been received by the Company or the Stockholder
or, to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened before any court,
governmental or regulatory authority or any arbitrator brought by or against the
Company involving, affecting or relating to any of the Company's assets, the
Business, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional
Documents that are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither
the Business nor any of the Company's assets is subject to any order, writ,
judgment, award, injunction or decree of any court or governmental or regulatory
authority or arbitrator which affects, or which might reasonably be expected to
affect in any material respect, the Business, the Company or any of its assets,
or which interferes in any material respect with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or the Additional Documents. There are no material citations,
fines or penalties heretofore asserted against the Company that remain unpaid or
that otherwise bind any assets of the Company.
4.25 Contracts. Except for (a) individual orders
for the purchase of raw materials or supplies used in the
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manufacture of finished products which do not exceed $200,000, (b) individual
orders for the purchase of inventories in the Ordinary Course of Business not in
excess of $200,000, (c) routine maintenance and service contracts, (d) office
equipment rental agreements, (e) standardized agreements governing the use by
the Company of computer software licensed by it, in each case entered into in
the Ordinary Course of Business, (f) agreements providing for the loan to the
Company by vendors of display racks and similar equipment, (g) arrangements
relating to consignments, sales on approval and sales subject to return with
respect to greeting cards and similar items of merchandise which, in the
aggregate, are not material to the Business and (h) agreements terminable by the
Company upon not more than 30 days' notice without penalty which were entered
into in the Ordinary Course of Business (the "Ordinary Course of Business
Contracts"), set forth in Schedule 4.25 is a list (a true and correct copy of
each of which have been provided to Purchaser) of all the following agreements
entered into by, or binding upon, the Company or its assets as of the date of
this Agreement (together, the "Material Contracts"): (i) all contracts for the
purchase, sale, licensing, leasing, use or transfer of property which require
aggregate payments in excess of $200,000; (ii) all contracts, agreements or
arrangements with the Stockholder or any Affiliate thereof; (iii) all letters of
credit, warranties, guarantees, indemnificatiOn and surety agreements, to which
the Company is a party or has any rights or obligations; (iv) all notes,
agreements and instruments relating to indebtedness for borrowed money; (v) any
agreement, contract or commitment containing any covenant limiting the ability
of the Company to engage in any line of business undertaken by the Company, to
compete with any business or Person or to expand the nature or geographic scope
of the Business; (vi) any agreement, contract or commitment relating to capital
expenditures with respect to the Company and involving future payments which,
together with future payments under all other agreements, contracts or
commitments relating to the same capital project, exceed $85,000; (vii) any
agreement, contract or commitment relating to the acquisition of assets or
capital stock of any business enterprise; (viii) any contract, commitment or
agreement which requires payments in excess of $200,000, to the extent such
contract, commitment or agreement is not terminable within 30 days without
payment of premium or penalty; (ix) any agreement, contract or commitment that
constitutes an employment agreement, consulting agreement or personal service
contract not
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terminable on less than 60 days' notice without penalty; (x) any agreement,
contract or commitment that representS a contract upon which the Company is
substantially dependent or that is otherwise material to the Business; (xi) any
commitment or obligation that is not terminable by the Company on less than 60
days' notice without penalty to continue to utilize the services of, or
otherwise to do business with, any vendor, supplier or licensor of the Company
which required aggregate payments within the 12 months preceding the date of
this Agreement in excess of $200,000 or which is reasonably likely to require
payments in the 12 months following the date of this Agreement in excess of
$200,000; and (xii) all other material contracts, agreements, arrangements,
commitments or instruments, oral or written, to which the Company is a party or
subject (other than contracts and agreements listed in other Schedules to this
Agreement). References herein to "Contracts" means and includes the Material
Contracts and the Ordinary Course of Business Contracts.
4.25.1 All of the Material Contracts are
valid and binding obligations of the Company and, assuming due and valid
authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other party thereto, are
enforceable by the Company in accordance with all material terms thereof,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law).
4.25.2 The Company has performed all
obligations required to be performed by it under all such Material Contracts the
nonperformance of which may reasonably be expected to, or does, individually or
in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
4.25.3 To the knowledge of the Stockholder,
the parties to the Material Contracts other than the Company are not in default
under any of such Material Contracts, nor does any condition exist which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default by any other party
thereunder.
4.25.4 Except as set forth on Schedule
4.25.4, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not require the
consent, waiver,
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authorization or approval of, or notice to any third party to any of the
Material Contracts.
4.25.5 To the knowledge of the Stockholder,
no party to any Material Contract has any intention to terminate such Material
Contract, or to refuse to renew the same, or to grant a renewal thereof on terms
more onerous to the Company than presently in effect.
4.26 Governmental Consents. Except as required by the HSR Act,
and except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 or 4.26, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement and the Additional Documents,
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not
require the consent, waiver, authorization or approval of, notice to, or
application, qualification, registration or filing with, any Governmental
Entity, except for such of the foregoing the failure of which to have received
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.27 Employee Plans and Contracts.
4.27.1 Identification. Set forth in
Schedule 4.27.1 is a true and complete list of all Employee Plans. Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.27.1, all Employee Plans (including any amendments thereto)
were created or entered into on or prior to the Balance Sheet Date. During the
5-year period prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company, the
Stockholder nor any other Person under common control (within the meaning of
Subsections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) with the Company (excluding any
Person who was under such common control with the Company prior to December 10,
1996) (each a "Commonly Controlled Entity") has, at any time sponsored,
maintained, contributed to or had any obligation to contribute to any Employee
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA except as set forth in Schedule 4.27.1. A true
and complete copy of each Employee Plan has been provided to Purchaser.
Schedules 4.27.1 and 4.27.6 set forth all monetary arrangements relating to
severance under any Employee Plan requiring the payment of more than $1,000 to
any single individual.
4.27.2 Multiemployer Plans. None of the
Employee Plans is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA, or Section 414(f) of the Code, and none of the Company, the
Stockholder, or any Commonly Controlled Entity has at any time made or accrued
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an obligation to make any contribution to a multiemployer plan. Neither the
Company nor any Persons under common control (within the meaning of subsections
414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) with the Company has incurred or could
reasonably be expected to incur any withdrawal liability (either as a
contributing employer or as part of a controlled group which includes a
contributing employer) to any multiemployer plan in connection with a complete
or partial withdrawal from such plan occurring on or before Closing, which
would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.27.3 Information Provided to Purchaser.
With respect to each of the Employee Plans, the Company has delivered to the
Purchaser a copy of the annual reports; actuarial reports and studies; IRS Forms
5500 or 5500-C (including all Schedules thereto); summary plan descriptions (and
all material modifications thereto); financial statements (including trust or
other funding statements); all communications from the IRS, the Department of
Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and a copy of the most recent
IRS determination letter, if any, issued with respect to any Employee plan
intended to be a Qualified Plan. The Stockholder has delivered to Purchaser
insurance premium statements and reports for the most recent plan year and any
periods thereafter to the extent such statements and reports have been prepared
and delivered or made available to the Stockholder.
4.27.4 Code and ERISA. Each of the Employee
Plans has been established, administered and operated, in all material respects,
in compliance with the requirements provided by any and all applicable Legal
Requirements including ERISA and the Code. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.24,
there are no actions, suits or claims pending other than routine claims for
benefits with respect to the Employee Plans or their operation, administration
or maintenance that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Each Employee Plan intended to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Code ("Qualified Plan") and each related trust or
other funding arrangement has timely applied for and received a favorable
determination letter, copies of which have been provided to Purchaser, and no
determination letter with respect thereto has been revoked and no event has
occurred which, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, would be reasonably
expected to adversely affect its qualification or materially increase its cost.
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4.27.5 Liabilities. Except to the extent
that it would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect, neither the Company, the Stockholder nor any Commonly Controlled Entity
has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability to the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, IRS, or any participants in the Employee Plans with
respect to any such Employee Plans, other than (a) routine claims for benefits,
(b) the timely payment of contributions, premiums or reasonable expenses in the
Ordinary Course of Business pursuant to Title IV of ERISA or (c) the
acceleration and accrual of deferred compensation obligations by reason of the
transactions provided for herein.
4.27.6 Change in Control Payments. Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.27.6, no Employee Plan exists pursuant to which the
Company, as a result of or otherwise in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (and whether or not contingent upon any
subsequent event, such as the termination of an employee's employment), may be
or may become obligated to (a) pay any Company employee any money or other
property or (b) vest, accelerate, enhance or provide any other rights or
benefits to any Company employee, whether or not such payment would constitute a
parachute payment within the meaning of Code section 280G.
4.27.7 Insurance Premiums and Contributions.
All insurance premiums, contributions and any other payments that are required
to be paid prior to the Closing Date with respect to Employee Plans have been or
will be paid prior thereto, except where the failure to make any such payments
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.28 Labor and Employee Matters.
4.28.1 Labor Agreements. The Company is not
a party to any collective bargaining agreement or any other agreement with any
labor organization applicable to employees of or Persons providing services to
the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28.1, (i) no proceeding is
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against or
affecting the Company relating to the alleged violation of any Legal Requirement
pertaining to labor relations or employment matters, including any charge or
complaint filed by an employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board,
the Equal Employment Opportunity
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Commission, or any comparable Governmental Entity; (ii) no activity or
proceeding of any labor organization (or representative thereof) to organize any
unorganized employees of or Persons providing services to the Company is in
progress or, to the best knowledge of the Stockholder, has been threatened; and
(iii) no strike, slowdown, work stoppage, sickout, lockout or other collective
labor action by or with respect to any employees of or Persons providing
services to the Company is in progress or, to the best knowledge of the
Stockholder, has been threatened, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii)
for such proceeding or activity which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 4.28.1 sets forth, as of the
date of this Agreement, all unresolved labor controversies (including unresolved
grievances and age or other discrimination claims), if any, between the Company
and Persons employed by the Company, which would, individually or in the
aggregate, if adversely determined, have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.28.2 Workers' Compensation.
Schedule 4.28.2 sets forth all pending and, to the best knowledge of the
Stockholder, all threatened claims against the Company by employees or former
employees (including dependents and spouses) under any workers' compensation or
similar laws, regulations, requirements or programs as of the date of this
Agreement.
4.29 Insurance. Set forth in Schedule 4.29 is (i) a true and
complete list and description, together with a true and correct copy, of all
insurance policies, other insurance arrangements and other contracts or
arrangements for the transfer or sharing of insurance risk by the Company in
force on the date hereof with respect to the Business or the Company's assets,
together with a statement of the aggregate amount of claims paid out, and claims
pending, under each such insurance policy or other arrangement through the date
hereof and (ii) a description of those risks which the Company, its board of
directors or officers have designated as being self-insured. The Company, or the
Stockholder for the benefit of the Company for periods prior to the Closing, has
policies of insurance of the type and in amounts customarily carried by Persons
conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those of the Company. Such
policies include at least the coverage which is a Legal Requirement. All such
policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due thereon have been paid
by the Company or the Stockholder and the Company has complied in
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all material respects with the provisions of such policies. Except as set forth
in Schedule 4.29, the Company has not received any notice of cancellation or
non-renewal of any such policy, nor, to best of the Stockholder's knowledge, is
the termination of any such policies threatened, nor to the best of the
Stockholder's knowledge, does there exist any claim pending under any of such
policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the
underwriters of such policies, other than such notices or claims as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, nor has the
Company received any notice from any of its insurance carriers that any
insurance premiums will be increased in the future or that any insurance
coverage presently provided for will not be available to the Company in the
future on substantially the same terms as now in effect. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.29, no insurance policy or arrangement provides for any retrospective
premium adjustment, experienced-based liability or loss sharing arrangement
affecting the Company. Set forth on Schedule 4.29 is a true and complete list of
all outstanding claims for medical expenses in excess of $50,000 for any
employee.
4.30 Receivables. All accounts receivable of the Company that
are reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet and the accounting records of the
Company as of the Closing Date (collectively, the "Accounts Receivable")
represent or will represent valid obligations arising from sales actually made
or services actually performed in the Ordinary Course of Business. Unless paid
prior to the Closing Date, the Accounts Receivable will be as of the Closing
Date current and collectible net of the respective reserves shown on the Interim
Balance Sheet or on the accounting records of the Company as of the Closing Date
(which reserves as of the Closing Date will not represent a greater percentage
of the Accounts Receivable as of the Closing Date than the reserve reflected in
the Interim Balance Sheet represented of the Accounts Receivable reflected
therein). There is no contest, claim, or right of set-off, other than returns
and other rights arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, under any Contract
with any obligor of such Accounts Receivable.
4.31 Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.31, from December 10, 1996 through the date of this Agreement, there
has been no transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding, or any related
series thereof, between the Company, on the one hand, and
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the Company's Affiliates or the Stockholder's Affiliates, on the other hand, in
which the amount or value involved exceeds $60,000.
4.32 Books and Records. The books of account, minute books,
stock record books and other records of the Company, all of which have been made
available to Purchaser, are complete and correct in all material respects and,
since December 10, 1996, have been maintained in accordance with sound business
practices and the requirements of Section 13(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, including the maintenance of an adequate system of
internal controls. The minute books of the Company contain accurate and complete
records in all material respects of all meetings held of, and corporate action
taken by, the stockholders, the Board of Directors, and committees of the Board
of Directors of the Company since December 10, 1996, and no meeting of any such
stockholders, Board of Directors or committee has been held for which minutes
have not been prepared and not contained in such minute books or for which
summaries thereof have been made available to Purchaser. At the Closing, all of
such books and records will be in the possession of the Company.
4.33 Product Liability. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.24,
there is no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any
Governmental Entity pending, or to the best knowledge of the Stockholder,
threatened against or involving the Company relating to any product alleged to
have been produced or sold by the Company and alleged to have been defective, or
improperly designed or manufactured, nor do any of the Senior Officers have
actual knowledge of any basis for any such action, proceeding or investigation.
4.34 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither the
Stockholder nor any other Person makes any other express or implied
representation or warranty on behalf of the Company including, without
limitation, as to (a) the probable success or profitability of the ownership,
use or operation of the Business and the Company by Purchaser after the Closing,
or (b) any financial information, whether historical or projected, delivered to
Purchaser, except in the case of clause (b) as set forth in Section 4.12.
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4.35 Limitation on Purchaser's Representations. The
Stockholder acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement and in selling the
Shares to Purchaser it has not relied on any representations or warranties of
Purchaser or on any materials given to or made available to the Stockholder or
its Representatives by Purchaser or its Representatives other than the
representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Stockholder as
follows:
5.1 Corporate Organization. Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and has all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to
own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as
now conducted.
5.2 Corporate Authority. Purchaser has the corporate power to
enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Additional Documents and
to carry out its obligatiOns hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the Additional Documents,
and the performance of Purchaser's obligations hereunder and thereunder, have
been duly and validly authorized by its Board of Directors and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of Purchaser are necessary to authorize such
execution, delivery and performance. This Agreement has been, and the Additional
Documents will be at Closing, duly executed by Purchaser and, assuming due and
valid authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the
Stockholder, are, in the case of this Agreement, and will be as of the Closing,
in the case of the Additional Documents, the valid and legally binding
obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
5.3 No Violation. Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.3 and except for the approvals required to comply with the provisions
of the HSR Act, the execution, delivery
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and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (including under the Additional Documents) do not and will not conflict
with or result in, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or
both, any violation of or constitute a breach or default under (a) the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Purchaser, (b) any agreement, permit
or other instrument to which Purchaser is a party or by which it is bound, (c)
any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity, or (d) any Legal
Requirement to which Purchaser or any of its property is subject, except in the
case of clauses (b), (c) and (d) to the extent that any such conflict,
violation, breach or default would not have a material adverse effect on the
ability of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
5.4 Investment Intent. Purchaser is aware that the Shares are
not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), or under any state or foreign securities laws. The Shares are
being acquired hereunder solely for the account of Purchaser for investment for
its own account and not with a view to the resale or distribution thereof and
Purchaser will not sell or otherwise dispose of Shares except in compliance with
the registration requirements or exemption provisions under the Securities Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other applicable
securities laws.
5.5 Availability of Funds. Purchaser will have available on
the Closing Date sufficient funds to enable it to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. Purchaser has available cash or financing sufficient to
enable it to fund the Purchase Price.
5.6 Limitation on Stockholder Representations. Purchaser
acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement and in acquiring the Shares it
has not relied on any representations or warranties of the Stockholder or on any
materials given to it by the Stockholder other than the representations and
warranties set forth in this Agreement and the Schedules to this Agreement.
5.7 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither Purchaser
nor any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or
warranty on behalf of Purchaser.
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ARTICLE 6. COVENANTS OF THE STOCKHOLDER
The Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees with Purchaser as
follows:
6.1 Access to Properties and Records. Throughout the period
prior to the Closing, the Stockholder shall cause the Company and its
Representatives to (i) afford Purchaser and Purchaser's Representatives full
access upon reasonable notice during normal business hours to all of the
Business, properties, personnel, books, contracts, commitments and records
concerning the Business, (ii) furnish promptly to Purchaser a copy of all such
information as Purchaser may reasonably request (including without limitation,
and without request being required, interim financial statements and reports for
each accounting period ending during such time period) relating to the Company,
and (iii) furnish Purchaser and Purchaser's Representatives with such additional
financial, operating, and other data and information relating to the Company as
Purchaser may reasonably request; provided, however that the Stockholder shall
have no obligation to provide any information pursuant to this clause (iii)
unless such informatiOn is in the possession of the Stockholder or the Company
or their respective Representatives and is not required to be created.
6.2 Negotiations. So long as this Agreement remains in full
force and effect, the Company and the Stockholder shall not, directly or
indirectly, through any Representative or otherwise, encourage or solicit any
inquiries or proposals from, cooperate or engage in discussions with, or provide
any information to, any Person (other than Purchaser and its Representatives)
concerning any sale of stock, merger, business combination, consolidation, sale
of substantial assets, purchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or
similar transaction involving the Business. The Stockholder shall advise
Purchaser of any inquiries pertaining to any such transaction which it receives
and of which it at any time has knowledge.
6.3 Consents and Approvals. The Stockholder shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain any necessary consents, waivers,
authorizations and approvals, including the releases and consents described in
Sections 9.1.6 and 9.1.7 of any Persons required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
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and shall use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and to satisfy the conditions set forth herein. In addition,
the Stockholder shall use its reasonable best efforts to assist and cooperate
with Purchaser in preparing and filing all documents required to be submitted by
the Stockholder or Purchaser to any Person in connection with such transactions,
and in obtaining any consents, waivers, authorizations or approvals which may be
required to be obtained by the Stockholder or Purchaser in connection with such
transactions (including requesting early termination of any applicable waiting
period under the HSR Act).
6.4 Conduct of Business Pending Closing. From
the date hereof to and including the Closing Date, the Stockholder shall cause
the Company to conduct its operations in the Ordinary Course of Business and
will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Company (a) to preserve the
Company's business organization in a manner reasonably necessary to the conduct
of the Business; (b) to maintain the Company's books and records in accordance
with past practices; (c) to keep available the services of the Company's
officers and employees reasonably necessary to the conduct of the Business; and
(d) to maintain satisfactory relationships with licensors, suppliers,
distributors, customers and others having business relationships with the
Company. The Stockholder shall confer with the Purchaser or its Representatives
to keep it informed with respect to operational matters of a material nature and
to report the general status of the ongoing operations of the business of the
Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as expressly
permitted by this Agreement from the date hereof to and including the Closing
Date, the Stockholder shall not permit the Company to, and the Company shall
not, without the prior consent of Purchaser (which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld, it being agreed that it would not be unreasonable for
Purchaser to withhold its consent if any action proposed by the Stockholder
would adversely affect the value of the Business to Purchaser):
6.4.1 create any new classes of capital
stock, or issue any shares of capital stock or securities convertible or
exchangeable into, or any options, warrants, agreements, calls or other rights
to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, shares of capital stock;
6.4.2 create any material Liens (except for
Permitted Liens and Liens for the benefit of the Lenders
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under the Credit Agreement which the Stockholder or the Company have agreed to
grant pursuant to the Credit Agreement or the related security documents prior
to the date of this Agreement) with respect to any of the Company's assets;
6.4.3 hire any new employees (other than in
the Ordinary Course of Business) or enter into any employment, consulting,
severance or other compensation agreement with any Person or, except (i) as
undertaken in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to non-officer
employees, (ii) as required under any Employee Plans previously disclosed to
Purchaser or (iii) as required by applicable law, increase the rate of
compensation, commission, bonus or other direct or indirect remuneration or
other payments paid, payable or to become payable to or for the benefit of any
officers, directors, consultants, agents or employees of the Business or adopt
any Employee Plan or amend any Employee Plan in any material respect, except for
changes to Employee Plans which are less favorable to participants in such plans
or as may be required by applicable law;
6.4.4 make any material change in the nature
of or method of conducting the Business;
6.4.5 waive any material rights relating to
the Business, except for the settlement of claims by or against the Company in
the Ordinary Course of Business and involving amounts not exceeding the
aggregate sum of $25,000;
6.4.6 acquire or dispose of any material
assets or properties of the Business, other than obsolete items or otherwise in
the Ordinary Course of Business;
6.4.7 declare, set aside or pay any
dividends or declare, set aside or make any other distributions of any kind to
the Stockholder, other than (a) payments shown payable to the Stockholder on the
Interim Balance Sheet, (b) distributions of cash on a daily basis or other
distributions in the Ordinary Course of Business and (c) distributions in an
amount equal to the unpaid income Taxes of the Company for the current period,
or make any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other
acquisition of any Shares of its capital stock;
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6.4.8 incur or assume any indebtedness for
borrowed money (whether directly or by way of guaranty or otherwise), except for
purchases on open account, endorsements of checks or other commercial paper,
working capital advances by the Stockholder to the Company in the Ordinary
Course of Business and other short-term indebtednesS incurred in the Ordinary
Course of Business; or make any principal payment or reduction on, repay,
redeem, retire or make any other payment in respect of, or cause to become due
and payable, any indebtedness for borrowed money other than those payments that
come due by the terms of any such indebtedness;
6.4.9 except as otherwise provided for in
this Agreement, make any change in its accounting methods or practices or make
any change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates adopted by the
Company;
6.4.10 make any loan or advance to, enter
into any agreement, transaction or arrangement with, the Stockholder or any of
its officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents or other representatives
(other than travel advances made in the Ordinary Course of Business), or make
any other loan or advance other than loans or advances to the Stockholder in
connection with the Stockholder's cash management procedures in the Ordinary
Course of Business;
6.4.11 amend its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or merge with or into or consolidate with any Person,
subdivide or in any way reclassify any Shares, or change or agree to change in
any manner the rights of its outstanding Capital Stock or the character of its
Business;
6.4.12 enter into any merger, consolidation,
recapitalization or other business combination or reorganization, liquidation,
dissolution or any similar transaction;
6.4.13 assume, guarantee, endorse or
otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or
otherwise) for the material obligations of any other Person;
6.4.14 take any action, or fail to take any
action, which would render inaccurate in any material respect any representation
and warranty made herein;
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6.4.15 make any capital expenditures without
the Purchaser's prior written consent, except for maintenance capital
expenditures and except for expenditures reasonably required to abate conditions
endangering Persons or property;
6.4.16 enter into or amend (a) any material
lease arrangement, (b) any material equipment purchase or sale arrangement
except for replacements in the Ordinary Course of Business not exceeding $50,000
in the aggregate and except as permitted under Section 6.4.15, (c) any material
merchandising arrangement, (d) any material service arrangement not terminable
at will or (e) any other material commitment or arrangement outside the Ordinary
Course of Business; or
6.4.17 acquire (by merger, consolidation or
acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or other business
organization or division thereof or any equity interest therein (other than
purchases of marketable securities in the Ordinary Course of Business); or
6.4.18 agree, in writing or orally, to do
any of the foregoing.
6.5 Sale of Shares. The Stockholder will not, prior to
termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof, (i) make, agree or
enter into any understanding or arrangement, whether or not in writing, with
respect to, any sale, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment
or disposition of any of the Shares or the beneficial ownership thereof, (ii)
offer to make such a sale, transfer or other disposition, or offer to grant any
option to acquire any of the Shares or to enter into any agreement or
arrangement with respect to the matters set forth in clause (i), or (iii) grant
any proxies or powers of attorney, deposit any Shares into a voting trust or
enter into a voting agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the
Shares.
6.6 Notification. Between the date of this Agreement and the
Closing Date, the Stockholder shall give prompt written notice to Purchaser if
(a) the Stockholder becomes aware of any fact or condition that causes or
constitutes a breach of any of the Stockholder's representations and warranties
as of the date of this Agreement, (b) the Stockholder becomes aware of the
occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any fact or
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condition that would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) cause
or constitute a breach of any such representation or warranty had such
representation or warranty been made as of the time of occurrence or discovery
of such fact or condition or (c) the Stockholder becomes aware of the occurrence
or failure to occur of an event that may make impossible or unlikely the
satisfaction of any condition to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the failure of the
Stockholder to comply with this Section 6.6 shall not subject the Stockholder to
any liability hereunder except as and to the extent the Stockholder would be
responsible for a breach of the related representations or warranties under
Article 8 (including the limitations on recovery and the time periods for
bringing claims thereunder).
6.7 Post-Closing Cooperation. Purchaser and the Stockholder
shall cooperate with each other, and shall cause their Representatives to
cooperate with each other, following the Closing to ensure the orderly
transition of the Company from Stockholder to Purchaser. After the Closing, upon
reasonable written notice, Purchaser and the Stockholder shall furnish or cause
to be furnished to each other and their Representatives access, during normal
business hours, to such information and assistance relating to the Company as is
reasonably necessary for financial reporting and accounting matters, the
preparation and filing of any Tax Returns, reports or forms or the defense of
any Tax claim or assessment. Each party shall reimburse the other for reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in assisting the other pursuant to
this Section 6.7. Neither party shall be required by this Section 6.7 to take
any action that would unreasonably disrupt its normal operations.
6.8 Enforcement of Covenant Not to Compete. The
Stockholder agrees not to enforce Section 8.5 of the Seessel's Purchase
Agreement without the written consent or request of Purchaser. Upon the written
request of Purchaser, the Stockholder agrees to enforce the terms of Section 8.5
of the Seessel's Purchase Agreement, but only to the extent and subject to the
limitations set forth in such request.
6.9 Assignment of Agreement with Arthur N.
Seessel. Effective upon Closing, the Stockholder agrees to assign to Purchaser
all of its rights in the Agreement,
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dated April 16, 1997, by and among the Stockholder, the Company and Arthur N.
Seessel, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E.
ARTICLE 7. COVENANTS OF PURCHASER
Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees with the Stockholder as
follows:
7.1 Employee Benefits. Following the Closing Date, Purchaser
shall provide employee benefits to non-union employees of the Company who remain
in the employ of the Company or Purchaser following the Closing Date (the
"Retained Employees") that are substantially equivalent in the aggregate to the
employee benefits then afforded to similarly situated employees of Purchaser.
With respect to such benefits, service accrued by such Retained Employees during
employment with the Company prior to the Closing Date shall be recognized for
all purposes other than (i) benefit accruals under any pension or retirement
plans of Purchaser or (ii) to the extent necessary to prevent duplication of
employee benefits. Purchaser shall provide severance benefits on the terms set
forth in the Employee Plans described on Schedule 4.27.1 to all employees
terminated on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date. Except
as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing contained herein
shall be deemed to require the Purchaser or the Company to continue any existing
Employee Plans.
7.2 Lease Guarantee. Effective as of and from and after the
Closing Date, Purchaser agrees to unconditionally and irrevocably indemnify and
hold harmless the Stockholder for all payments made by the Stockholder under its
outstanding Guarantee dated December 10, 1996, of the full payment and
performance by the Company of all of its obligations undertaken to be paid,
performed or observed under the terms of the two leases covering the Union
Avenue and Perkins/Poplar retail stores in Memphis, Tennessee. Any payments
required to be made to the Stockholder pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be
made by wire transfer of same-day funds to an account designated by the
Stockholder within three business days of the payment by the Stockholder of any
amounts due under such Guarantee.
7.3 Confidentiality. Purchaser has heretofore
executed the Confidentiality Agreement with respect to the
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exchange of information relating to the transaction provided for herein. All of
the terms and provisions of the said Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the
execution of this Agreement and remain binding upon the parties thereto until
the Closing of the transactions provided for herein. In the event the
transactions provided for herein shall fail to be consummated due to a failure
of condition or otherwise, the parties shall cause all information provided by
one to the other pursuant hereto or in connection herewith (and all copies
thereof in the possession of any agent, attorney, accountant or other Person to
whom such was provided) to be promptly destroyed or returned to the other in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
7.4 Consents and Approvals. Purchaser shall use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain any necessary consents, waivers, authorizations and
approvals of any Persons or entities required in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to satisfy the
conditions set forth herein, it being understood that should the DOJ or the FTC
raise any objection to (or initiate any litigation in connection with) the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser shall take all actions
reasonably necessary to resolve such objection or litigation, including but not
limited to divesting, cancelling, selling, transferring, assigning, holding
separate or taking such other action as is requested by the DOJ or the FTC with
respect to any stores or other property situated in the Metropolitan area of
Memphis, Tennessee. In addition, Purchaser shall use its reasonable best efforts
to assist and cooperate with the Stockholder in preparing and filing all
documents required to be submitted by the Stockholder or Purchaser to any Person
in connection with such transactions, and in obtaining any consents, waivers,
authorizations or approvals which may be required to be obtained by the
Stockholder and Purchaser in connection with such transactions (including
requesting early termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR
Act).
7.5 Tax Elections. Purchaser will not make an
election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code without the consent of the
Stockholder.
7.6 Assumption of Agreement with Arthur N.
Seessel. Effective upon Closing, Purchaser agrees to assume all of the
Stockholder's obligations under the Agreement,
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dated April 16, 1997, by and among the Stockholder, the Company and Arthur N.
Seessel, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E.
ARTICLE 8. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification by the Stockholder.
8.1.1 From and after the Closing, the
Stockholder shall defend, indemnify and hold Purchaser and its Affiliates
harmless from and against and in respect of any and all actual losses,
liabilities, damages, judgments, settlements and expenses, including interest
and penalties recovered by a third party with respect thereto and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses and reasonable accountants' fees and expenses
incurred in the investigation or defense of any of the same or in asserting,
preserving or enforcing any of Purchaser's rights arising under this Article 8
(collectively, "Purchaser Losses"), incurred by Purchaser and its Affiliates
(the "Purchaser Indemnitees") which arise out of:
(a) any breach by the Stockholder of any of its
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and
the Additional Documents; provided, however, that for purposes
of this Article 8 only, all references in Article 4 to
"Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed to be references to
"Adverse Effect"; and
(b) any breach by the Stockholder of any of its
covenants in this Agreement (other than the covenant set forth
in Section 6.6) which survive the Closing.
The Purchaser shall give the Stockholder prompt written notice of any third
party claim which may give rise to any indemnity obligation under this Section
8.1, together with the estimated amount of such claim, and the Stockholder shall
have the right to assume the defense (at its expense) of any such claim through
counsel of its own choosing, by so notifying Purchaser within 30 days of receipt
of Purchaser's written notice; provided, however, that the Stockholder's counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser. Failure to give prompt notice
shall not affect the indemnification obligations hereunder in the absence of
actual and material prejudice. If Purchaser desires to participate in any such
defense assumed by the Stockholder,
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it may do so at its sole cost and expense, provided that if, under applicable
standards of professional conduct, a conflict on any significant issue between
any of the Purchaser Indemnitees and the Stockholder exists in respect of such
third party claim, the Stockholder shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
one such additional counsel as may be required to be retained in order to
resolve such conflict. The Stockholder shall be liable for the fees and expenses
of counsel employed by Purchaser for any period during which the Stockholder has
not assumed the defense thereof (other than during any period in which Purchaser
shall have failed to give notice of the third party claim as provided above). If
the Stockholder assumes such defense, Purchaser shall have the right to
participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense,
separate from the counsel employed by the Stockholder, it being understood that
the Stockholder shall control such defense. If the Stockholder chooses to defend
or prosecute a third party claim, the Purchaser shall cooperate in the defense
or prosecution thereof, which cooperation shall include the retention and the
provision to the Stockholder of records and information which are reasonably
relevant to such third party claim, and making employees available on a mutually
convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any
materials provided hereunder. If the Stockholder chooses to defend or prosecute
any third party claim, Purchaser will agree to any settlement, compromise or
discharge of such third party claim which the Stockholder may recommend and
which by its terms obligates the Stockholder to pay the full amount of liability
in connection with such third party claim; provided, however, that, without
Purchaser's consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, the Stockholder
shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement (x) that
provides for injunctive or other nonmonetary relief affecting Purchaser or any
Affiliate thereof, or (y) that does not include as an unconditional term thereof
the giving by each claimant or plaintiff to each Purchaser Indemnitee that is
the subject of such third party claim of a release from all liability with
respect to such claim.
8.1.2 The foregoing obligation to indemnify
Purchaser and its Affiliates set forth in Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.5 shall be
subject to each of the following limitations:
(a) The Stockholder's indemnification
obligation (i) for any breach of the
representations and warranties contained in this
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Agreement and in the Additional Documents shall survive only
until (A) November 15, 1999, in the case of Purchaser Losses
for which the Stockholder would be entitled to recover under
the Seessel's Purchase Agreement and (B) December 31, 1999, in
the case of all other Purchaser Losses (as the case may be,
the "Applicable Indemnification Period"), and (ii) under
Section 8.1.5 shall survive until the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations, and thereafter all such
representations and warranties and other indemnities of the
Stockholder under this Agreement shall be extinguished. No
claim for the recovery of such Purchaser Losses may be
asserted by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates after the
Applicable Indemnification Period; provided, however, that
claims first asserted in writing with reasonable specificity
within the Applicable Indemnification Period shall not
thereafter be barred.
(b) No reimbursement for Purchaser Losses asserted
against the Stockholder under Section 8.1.1 or other
liabilities under Section 8.1.5 (other than Sections
8.1.5(a)(iii) and 8.1.5(b)) above shall be required unless and
until the cumulative aggregate amount of such Purchaser Losses
equals or exceeds $1,760,000 (the "Threshold") and then only
to the extent that the cumulative aggregate amount of
Purchaser Losses, as finally determined, exceeds said
Threshold; provided, however, that (i) the limitations set
forth in this clause (b) shall not apply to Purchaser Losses
arising out of a breach of Section 4.1(a) and (ii) in
calculating whether Purchaser Losses exceed such Threshold,
any Purchaser Losses which individually total less than
$10,000 each ("De Minimis Purchaser Losses") shall be excluded
in their entirety and the Stockholder in any event shall have
no liability hereunder to Purchaser and its Affiliates for any
such De Minimis Purchaser Losses. To the extent any Purchaser
Loss is not a De Minimis Purchaser Loss, the full amount of
such Purchaser Loss individually or, in the aggregate with the
full amount of such other Purchaser Losses that are not De
Minimis Purchaser Losses, shall be included in any calculation
to determine whether the
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cumulative aggregate amount of Purchaser Losses
equals or exceeds the Threshold.
(c) The Stockholder's liability to Purchaser and its
Affiliates under Section 8.1.1 for Purchaser Losses (other
than Purchaser Losses arising out of a breach of Section
4.1(a)) and under Section 8.1.5 (other than Sections
8.1.5(a)(iii) and 8.1.5(b)) in excess of the Threshold shall
not exceed $20,000,000.
8.1.3 The indemnities provided in this
Section 8.1 shall survive the Closing. Except for actual fraud (including
securities and tax fraud), the indemnity provided in this Section 8.1 and the
adjustment provided by Section 2.3 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the
indemnified party against the Stockholder at law or equity for any matter
covered by paragraphs 8.1.1(a) and (b).
8.1.4 In no event shall the Stockholder be
liable to Purchaser or its Affiliates for special, indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages (except for special, indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages that are asserted by a third party in a bona
fide third party claim).
8.1.5 The Stockholder shall indemnify,
defend, and hold harmless the Purchaser Indemnitees from and against (a) any and
all Taxes imposed upon the Company (other than any amount for Taxes specifically
identified and reflected as a reserve on the Interim Balance Sheet) with respect
to (i) any period ending prior to the Closing Date ("Pre-Closing Period"), (ii)
any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date and ending after the
Closing Date (such periods are hereinafter referred to as "Straddle Periods"),
but only with respect to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the
Closing Date and in the manner provided in Section 8.1.6 hereof and (iii) Taxes,
other than Taxes of the Company, imposed on the Company pursuant to Treasury
Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any comparable provision of state or local law
or regulation imposing several liability on members of a consolidated, combined,
affiliated or unitary group) for any Pre-Closing Period or Straddle Period (but
only with respect to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Closing
Date) and (b) any withdrawal liability to which the Company becomes liable
arising solely as a result of any complete or partial withdrawal from any
multiemployer plan (as defined in
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Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code) by
the Stockholder or any Person that is or at any time within the five year period
prior to the date of this Agreement was under common control (within the meaning
of subsections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) with the Stockholder (other
than the Company); provided, however, that no recovery under this Section 8.1.5
shall be duplicative of any recovery under Section 8.1.1 with respect to a
breach of any representation or warranty contained in Section 4.16 or 4.27.2.
8.1.6 For purposes of determining the amount
of Taxes for or which relate to a Straddle Period, the Closing Date shall be
treated as the last day of a taxable period, and the portion of any such Tax
that is allocable to the taxable period that is so deemed to end on and include
the Closing Date shall be determined by means of a closing of the books and
records of the Company as of the close of business on the Closing Date and, to
the extent not susceptible to such allocation, by apportionment on the basis of
elapsed days. Any credits shall be taken into account as though the relevant
taxable period ended on the Closing Date. All determinations, income, deduction,
gain, loss and credits necessary to give effect to the foregoing allocations
shall be made in a manner consistent with prior Tax Returns of the Company.
8.1.7 No recovery under this Section 8.1 shall be
duplicative of any adjustment that Purchaser obtains pursuant to Section 2.3.
8.2 Indemnification by Purchaser.
8.2.1 From and after the Closing, Purchaser
shall defend, indemnify and hold the Stockholder and its Affiliates harmless
from and against and in respect of any and all actual losses, liabilities,
damages, judgments, settlements and expenses, including interest and penalties
recovered by a third party with respect thereto and reasonable attorneys' fees
and expenses and reasonable accountants' fees and expenses incurred in the
investigation or defense of any of the same or in asserting, preserving or
enforcing any of the Stockholder's rights arising under this Article 8
(collectively, "Seller Losses" and together with Purchaser Losses, "Losses"),
incurred by the Stockholder and its Affiliates (the "Stockholder Indemnitees")
arising out of:
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(a) any breach by Purchaser of any of its
representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement and the Additional Documents; and
(b) any breach by Purchaser of any of its
covenants in this Agreement which survive the
Closing.
The Stockholder shall give Purchaser prompt written notice of any third party
claim which may give rise to any indemnity obligation under this Section 8.2,
together with the estimated amount of such claim, and Purchaser shall have the
right to assume the defense (at its expense) of any such claim through counsel
of its own choosing, by so notifying the Stockholder within 30 days of receipt
of the Stockholder's written notice; provided, however, that Purchaser's counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Stockholder. Failure to give prompt
notice shall not affect the indemnification obligations hereunder in the absence
of actual and material prejudice. If the Stockholder desires to participate in
any such defense assumed by Purchaser it may do so at its sole cost and expense,
provided that if, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict
on any significant issue between any of the Stockholder Indemnitees and
Purchaser exists in respect of such third party claim, Purchaser shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses of one such additional counsel as may be required
to be retained in order to resolve conflict. Purchaser shall be liable for the
fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Stockholder for any period during
which Purchaser has not assumed the defense thereof (other than during any
period in which Purchaser shall have failed to give notice of the third party
claim as provided above). If Purchaser assumes such defense, the Stockholder
shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ
counsel, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by Purchaser, it
being understood that Purchaser shall control such defense. If Purchaser chooses
to defend or prosecute a third party claim, the Stockholder shall cooperate in
the defense or prosecution thereof, which cooperation shall include the
retention and the provision to Purchaser of records and information which are
reasonably relevant to such third party claim, and making employees available on
a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of
any materials provided hereunder. If Purchaser chooses to defend or prosecute
any third party claim, the Stockholder will agree to any settlement, compromise
or discharge of such third
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party claim which Purchaser may recommend and which by its terms obligates
Purchaser to pay the full amount of liability in connection with such third
party claim; provided, however, that, without the Stockholder's consent, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, Purchaser shall not consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement (x) that provides for injunctive or other
nonmonetary relief affecting the Stockholder or any Affiliate thereof, or (y)
that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by each
claimant or plaintiff to each Stockholder Indemnitee that is the subject of such
third party claim of a release from all liability with respect to such claim.
8.2.2 The foregoing obligation to indemnify
the Stockholder and its Affiliates set forth in Section 8.2.1 shall be subject
to each of the following limitations:
(a) Purchaser's indemnification obligation for any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement and in the Additional Documents and pursuant to
Section 8.2.5 shall survive only until December 31, 1999, and
thereafter all such representations and warranties of
Purchaser under this Agreement shall be extinguished. No claim
for the recovery of such Seller Losses may be asserted by the
Stockholder or any of its Affiliates after such period;
provided, however, that claims first asserted in writing with
reasonable specificity within such period shall not thereafter
be barred;
(b) No reimbursement for Seller Losses asserted
against Buyer under Section 8.2.1 above shall be required
unless and until the cumulative aggregate amount of such
Seller Losses equals or exceeds $1,760,000 (the "Purchaser
Threshold") and then only to the extent that the cumulative
aggregate amount of Seller Losses, as finally determined,
exceeds said Purchaser Threshold; provided, however, that in
calculating whether Seller Losses exceed such Purchaser
Threshold any Seller Losses which individually total less than
$10,000 each ("De Minimis Seller Losses") shall be excluded in
their entirety and Purchaser in any event shall have no
liability hereunder to the Stockholder and its Affiliates for
any such De Minimis Seller Losses. To the extent any Seller
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Loss is not a De Minimis Seller Loss, the full amount of such
Seller Loss individually or, in the aggregate with the full
amount of such other Seller Losses that are not De Minimis
Seller Losses, shall be included in any calculation to
determine whether the cumulative aggregate amount of Seller
Losses equals or exceeds the Purchaser Threshold.
(c) Purchaser's liability to the Stockholder and its
Affiliates under Section 8.2.1 for Seller Losses in excess of
the Seller Threshold shall not exceed $20,000,000.
8.2.3 The indemnities provided in this
Section 8.2 shall survive the Closing. Except for actual fraud (including
securities and tax fraud) the indemnity provided in this Section 8.2 and the
adjustment provided by Section 2.3 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the
indemnified party against Purchaser at law or equity for any matter covered by
paragraphs 8.2.1(a) and (b).
8.2.4 In no event shall Purchaser be liable
to the Stockholder or its Affiliates for special, indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages (except for special, indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages that are asserted by a third party in a bona
fide third party claim).
8.2.5 Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Stockholder Indemnitees from and against any Taxes imposed
upon the Company or any subsidiaries thereof (other than Taxes imposed on the
Company (other than Taxes of the Company) pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-6 (or any comparable provision under state or local law or
regulation imposing several liability on members of a consolidated, combined,
affiliated or unitary group) by application of being a member of the
Stockholder's consolidated, affiliated or unitary group) with respect to (i) any
taxable period beginning after the Closing Date and (ii) any Straddle Period,
but only with respect to the portion of such Straddle Period beginning the day
after the Closing Date and in the manner provided for in Section 8.1.5 hereof.
8.3 Indemnification Calculations Net of
Insurance. The amount of any Purchaser Losses for which indemnification is
provided under Section 8.1 shall be net
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of any amounts recovered or recoverable by Purchaser and the Company under
insurance policies purchased by or for the benefit of the Stockholder or the
Company prior to the Closing Date (except insurance purchased by Purchaser).
8.4 Tax Information. (a) The Company, at its own cost and
expense, will furnish Tax information to the Stockholder for inclusion in
Stockholder's federal consolidated income Tax Return for the period which
includes the Closing Date in accordance with the Company's past custom and
practice. The income, deduction, loss, and gain of the Company will be
apportioned to the period up to and including the Closing Date and the period
after the Closing Date by closing the books of the Company as of the end of the
Closing Date.
(b) The Company will not carryback any loss, credit or
deduction into a consolidated, combined or similar Tax Return for any taxable
period that ends on, prior to or includes the Closing Date.
ARTICLE 9. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser. All obligations of
Purchaser under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to
the Closing, of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived
by Purchaser:
9.1.1 No Material Adverse Change. During
the period from the date on which this Agreement is executed to the Closing,
there shall have been no Material Adverse Change in, or Material Adverse Effect
to, the Business, other than seasonal changes, changes relating to the economy
in general or changes relating to the industry in which the Business operates in
general, it being understood that neither any change in the financial condition,
net worth, assets, liabilities, prospects or operations of the Stockholder
generally nor any change effected in order to secure any approvals required in
order to comply with the provisions of the HSR Act shall be a Material Adverse
Change.
9.1.2 No Injunction. No Governmental Entity
shall have issued any order, decree or ruling, and there shall not be any Legal
Requirement, that has the effect restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the
consummation of the material transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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9.1.3 Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made by the Stockholder in this Agreement
(without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" (other than
specified dollar amounts) or "Material Adverse Effect" set forth in such
representations and warranties) shall be true and accurate as of the Closing
Date as if made at and as of such time (other than those representations and
warranties that address matters only as of a particular date or only with
respect to a specific period of time which need only be true and accurate as of
such date or with respect to such period), except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and accurate, would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties made by the
Stockholder in Section 4.1(a) shall be true and accurate as of the Closing Date
as if made at and as of such time.
9.1.4 Performance of Obligations. The
Stockholder shall have delivered all closing documents and agreements required
hereby and have otherwise performed in all material respects all obligations
required under this Agreement to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing,
such to include without limitation the delivery of certificates evidencing all
of the issued and outstanding Shares in the Company.
9.1.5 Consents and Approvals. All consents,
waivers, authorizations and approvals of Governmental Entities as are necessary
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which if
not obtained could render such transactions void or voidable shall have been
obtained, except for such consents, waivers, authorizations and approvals the
failure of which to have obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect, would not impose material limitations on the
ability of Purchaser to acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership
of, the Shares and would not prevent Purchaser from effectively controlling in
any material respect the business or operations of the Company (it being
understood that for purposes of satisfying this Section 9.1.5, the applicable
waiting periods under the HSR Act in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have expired or been earlier terminated).
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9.1.6 Release of High Yield Debt Guarantee.
The Company's guarantee of the Stockholder's obligations under the Stockholder's
outstanding 10-1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 shall have been released
or terminated in accordance with its terms and Purchaser shall have received
evidence to such effect reasonably satisfactory to it.
9.1.7 Release under Credit Facility. The
Lenders under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 18, 1995, as amended and
restated as of June 2, 1997, as further amended as of September 5, 1997, and as
further amended as of December 1, 1997 (as so amended and restated, the "Credit
Agreement") among the Stockholder, the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders") and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, shall have released (a)
the pledge of the Shares, by the Stockholder to or for the benefit of the
Lenders and the related security interest, (b) the mortgages and other security
interests granted by the Company to the Lenders in the Company's Real Property,
inventory, equipment, Receivables, Intellectual Property and other assets and
(c) the guarantee by the Company of the Stockholder's obligations under the
Credit Agreement, and Purchaser shall have been presented with such termination
statements, releases and other customary evidence of termination and release of
pledges and guarantees as are reasonably requested by Purchaser.
9.1.8 FIRPTA Certificate. Purchaser shall
have received from the Stockholder an affidavit in the form of Treasury
regulation ss. 1.1445-2(b)(2) which is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the Stockholder
fails to provide Purchaser with such affidavit, Purchaser shall be entitled to
withhold the requisite amounts from the Purchase Price in accordance with
Sections 897 and 1445 of the Code.
9.1.9 Termination of Profit Sharing Plan.
Prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have approved
a resolution terminating the Company's Profit Sharing Plan, effective
immediately prior to the Closing.
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Stockholder. All
obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement are subject to the
fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of the following conditions, any one or
more of which may be waived by the Stockholder:
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9.2.1 No Injunction. No Governmental Entity
shall have issued any order, decree or ruling, and there shall not be any Legal
Requirement, that has the effect of restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the
consummation of the material transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.2.2 Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this Agreement qualified as
to "materiality" shall be true and accurate, and those not so qualified shall be
true and accurate in all material respects, as of the Closing Date as if made at
and as of such time (other than those representations and warranties that
address matters only as of a particular date or only with respect to a specific
period of time which need only be true and accurate, if qualified as to
materiality, or true and accurate in all material respects, if not so qualified,
as of such date or with respect to such period).
9.2.3 Performance of Obligations. Purchaser
shall have delivered all documents and agreements required hereby and have
otherwise performed in all material respects all obligations required under this
Agreement to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing.
9.2.4 Consents and Approvals. All consents,
waivers, authorizations and approvals of Governmental Entities as are necessary
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which if
not obtained could render such transactions void or voidable shall have been
obtained, except for such consents, waivers, authorizations and approvals the
failure of which to have obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that for purposes of
satisfying this Section 9.2.4, the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have
expired or been earlier terminated).
ARTICLE 10. TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
10.1 Methods of Termination. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing (a) by the
mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Stockholder; or (b) by either
Purchaser or the Stockholder, if such party is not in breach of this Agreement,
if the Closing shall not have
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occurred by May 1, 1998; provided, however, that if the parties shall have
received a second request from the DOJ or the FTC, neither party may exercise
its right to terminate this Agreement prior to July 1, 1998 unless the other
party is in material breach of its respective obligations under Section 6.3 or
7.4, as the case may be, and the party wishing to terminate is not.
10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of
this Agreement pursuant to this Article 10, written notice thereof shall
forthwith be given to the other parties and this Agreement shall terminate and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall be abandoned, without further action
by any party to this Agreement, and no party to this Agreement shall have any
right or claim against another party on account of such termination; provided,
that (a) the agreements set forth in Section 7.3 and Article 11 shall survive
the termination of this Agreement, and (b) no party hereto shall be relieved of
liability by reason of a breach of this Agreement by such party which results in
such termination.
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11.1 Survival of Representations Warranties and Covenants.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Article 8, the respective
representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties to this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
party to whom such representations and warranties have been made.
11.2 Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties
hereto and their respective successors, heirs, representatives and assigns, as
the case may be; provided, however, that, no party shall assign or delegate this
Agreement or any of the rights or obligations created hereunder without the
prior written consent of the other parties, except that Purchaser may assign any
of its rights and obligations created hereunder to any of its Affiliates so long
as no such assignment relieves Purchaser of its obligations hereunder. Nothing
in this Agreement shall confer upon any Person not a party to this Agreement, or
the legal representatives of such Person, any rights or remedies of any nature
or kind whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. This Agreement and
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all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of
the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns.
11.3 Brokers and Finders. Each of the parties represents and
warrants to the others that no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled
to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that either party may, in
its sole discretion, decide to obtain a fairness opinion in connection with the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, in which event such party shall be
solely responsible for any fee of the investment banker rendering such an
opinion to such party.
11.4 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, each party
shall bear all expenses incurred on its behalf in connection with the
preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of its agents,
representatives, counsel and accountants.
11.5 Publicity. Prior to the Closing, neither Purchaser, on
the one hand, nor the Company nor the Stockholder, on the other hand, shall
issue any press release or otherwise make any public statements or announcements
with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without
the prior consent of Purchaser or the Stockholder as the case may be, except as
necessitated by any Legal Requirement (in which case the other party shall be
given prompt notice and an opportunity to contest and to approve the content of
such announcement, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Notwithstanding the foregoing:
11.5.1 Any party hereto may disclose the
making and terms of this Agreement to their respective legal counsel, auditors
and other representatives, or, to the extent required for such purposes, to
Persons whose approval is required in connection with the transactions provided
for herein.
11.5.2 Purchaser, the Company and the
Stockholder may disclose the making and terms of this Agreement to their
respective lenders, applicable rating agencies and respective employees.
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11.5.3 Purchaser and the Stockholder shall
consult with each other concerning the means by which the employees, customers,
suppliers and others having dealings with the Company, the Stockholder or
Purchaser will be informed of this Agreement and the transactions provided for
herein.
11.6 Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be hand delivered,
sent by overnight courier service, facsimile (or other electronic transmission
method) or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as set forth below, or such other address or Persons
as the parties may from time to time designate in writing in the manner provided
in this Section. Receipt shall be deemed to occur on the date of actual receipt,
not upon posting.
(a) if to Purchaser, to:
Gary G. Michael
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Albertson's, Inc.
250 Parkcenter Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83706
Telephone: 208-395-6200
Telecopy: 208-395-6225
with copies to:
Thomas R. Saldin, Esq.
Executive Vice President
Albertson's, Inc.
250 Parkcenter Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83706
Telephone: 208-395-6200
Telecopy: 208-395-6672
and
Kaye L. O'Riordan, Esq.
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Albertson's, Inc.
250 Parkcenter Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83706
Telephone: 208-395-6200
Telecopy: 208-395-6672
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and
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3800
San Francisco, California 94111
Attention: Theodore J. Kozloff, Esq.
Telephone: 415-984-6400
Telecopy: 415-984-2698
and
(b) if to the Stockholder, to:
Walter M. Grant, Esq.
Bruno's, Inc.
800 Lakeshore Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35211
Telephone: 205-940-9400
Telecopy: 205-912-4534
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: David J. Sorkin, Esq.
Telephone: 212-455-3387
Telecopy: 212-455-2502
11.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreement, together with the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, represent
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with reference to
the transactions contemplated herein and therein, and no representations,
warranties or covenants have been made in connection with this Agreement or the
Additional Documents other than those expressly set forth herein and therein, in
the Schedules or in the certificates, agreements and other documents delivered
in accordance herewith or therewith. Except as set forth in Section 7.3, this
Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement, together with the Schedules and
Exhibits attached hereto, supersede all prior negotiations, discussions,
correspondence, communications, understandings and agreements, oral or written,
between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and such
other agreements and all prior drafts of this Agreement and such other
agreements, all of which are merged into this Agreement or such other
agreements, as the case may be.
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11.8 Waivers; Amendments and Remedies. This Agreement may be
amended, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be
waived, only by a written instrument signed by Purchaser and the Stockholder or,
in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part
of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such
right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such right,
power or privilege, preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other such right, power or privilege. Prior to Closing, the rights and remedies
herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies
that any party may otherwise have at law or in equity. After the Closing, the
parties' sole remedies in respect of claims arising under or in connection with
this Agreement or the Additional Documents shall be under Section 2.3 and
Article 8 hereof other than in the case of a claim alleging fraud (and
securities and tax fraud).
11.9 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable
and any term or provision of this Agreement that is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable in any
situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of
the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other
jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid, void or
unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination
will have the power to reduce the scope, duration, area or applicability of the
term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any
invalid, void or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that
is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of
the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
11.10 Headings. The Article and Section headings contained in
this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.
11.11 Counterparts; Terms. (a) This Agreement
may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
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shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be considered one
and the same agreement. All references herein to Articles, Sections,
Subsections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to such parts of
this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise require. All references to
singular or plural or masculine or feminine shall include the other as the
context may require. The words "hereof," "herein" and "herewith" and words of
similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and
article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the
articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless
otherwise specified. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are
used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation." Where a word or phrase is defined herein, its other grammatical
forms have corresponding meaning. A reference to any party to this Agreement or
any other agreement or document includes the party's successors and permitted
assigns. A reference to any legislation or to any provision of any legislation
includes any modification or reenactment of it, any legislative provision
substituted for it and all regulations and statutory instruments issued under
it.
(b) It is understood and agreed that neither the specification
of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement or as the "Threshold", as De Minimis Purchaser Losses or as De Minimis
Seller Losses nor the inclusion of any specific item in the Schedules to this
Agreement is intended to imply that such amounts or higher or lower amounts, or
the items so included or other items, are or are not material, and neither party
shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the fact of the inclusion
of any such item in the Schedules to this Agreement in any dispute or
controversy between the parties as to whether any obligation, item or matter is
or is not material for purposes of this Agreement.
11.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts to be made and performed entirely therein without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of law thereof or of any other jurisdiction.
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11.13 Attribution Rules Regarding Knowledge. In
this Agreement or any Additional Document, (a) the phrase "to the best
knowledge" or other reference to the knowledge of the Stockholder or the Company
other than "actual knowledge" shall mean and be limited to the knowledge of the
Senior Officers after due inquiry of appropriate Persons employed by the
Stockholder or the Company in a position to have relevant knowledge and (b) the
phrase "actual knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge of the Person in
question without any inquiry and without consideration as to whether such Person
has reason to know, any basis for belief or should know the matter in question.
11.14 Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules
attached to or delivered with and identified to this Agreement are a part of
this Agreement the same as if fully set forth herein and all references herein
to any Section of this Agreement shall be deemed to include a reference to the
Schedule named therein. The disclosures in the Schedules relate only to the
representations and warranties in the Section of the Agreement to which they
expressly relate and not to any other representation and warranty contained in
this Agreement, except to the extent that one Schedule is specifically
referenced on another Schedule and except to the extent that a disclosure on one
Schedule is clearly applicable, based on the nature of the disclosure and the
related representation, to more than one representation.
11.15 Further Assurances. Upon the request of any party at any
time after the Closing, the other parties shall forthwith execute and deliver
such instruments and documents as another party or its counsel may reasonably
request in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.
11.16 Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereto
acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, each
non-breaching party would be irreparably and immediately harmed and could not be
made whole by monetary damages. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto
(a) will waive, in any action for specific performance, the defense of adequacy
of a remedy at law and (b) shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy to
which they may be entitled at law or in equity, to compel specific performance
of this Agreement in any action instituted in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
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11.17 Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto hereby
expressly and irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts located in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Courts") in
connection with all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement
and the Additional Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
and agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such
courts. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) waives
any objection to the laying of venue of any litigation arising out of this
Agreement, the Additional Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby in the Delaware Courts, (ii) waives and agrees not to plead or claim in
any such courts that any such litigation brought in any such courts has been
brought in an inconvenient forum, (iii) waives the right to any other
jurisdiction or venue for any litigation arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement, the Additional Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby to which any of them may be entitled by reason of its present or
future domicile, and (iv) consents to service of any and all process in any
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby by the mailing or telecopying such process to
the address or telecopy number, as the case may be, specified in Section 11.6
hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the parties hereto agrees that
each of the other parties shall have the right to bring any action or proceeding
for enforcement of a judgment entered by the Delaware Courts in any other court
or jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall limit the right of a party to effect
service of process on the other party by any legally available method.
11.18 TIME OF ESSENCE. With regard to all dates and time
periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Stockholder and Purchaser have caused
this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized
representatives as of the date first written above.
ALBERTSON'S, INC.
By:
Name: A. Craig Olson
Title: Senior Vice
President, Finance
and Chief Financial
Officer
BRUNO'S, INC.
By:
Name: James J. Hagan
Title: Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
The Company agrees to be bound by Sections 6.1 through 6.4 of this agreement.
SEESSEL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
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