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This filing is made pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(3) under
the Securities Act of
1933 in connection with
Registration No. 333-51103
PROSPECTUS
CKE RESTAURANTS, INC.
$197,225,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
4 1/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2004
(INTEREST PAYABLE ON MARCH 15 AND SEPTEMBER 15)
4,091,465 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
------------------------
This Prospectus relates to (i) $197,225,000 aggregate principal amount of
4 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "Notes") of CKE Restaurants,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CKE" or the "Company"), and (ii) 4,091,465 shares
of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") of the Company,
which are initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes, plus an additional
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon
conversion of the Notes as a result of adjustments to the conversion price (the
"Shares" and, collectively with the Notes, the "Offered Securities"). The
Offered Securities that are being registered hereby are to be offered for the
accounts of the holders thereof (the "Selling Securityholders"). The Notes were
initially acquired from the Company by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT
Alex. Brown Incorporated, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and
Schroder & Co. Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers") on March 13, 1998 in connection
with a private offering. See "Description of the Notes."
The Notes are convertible into Common Stock of the Company at any time after
June 11, 1998 and prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion
price of $48.204 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events. The Common
Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol
"CKR." On June 8, 1998, the last reported sales price for the Common Stock as
reported on the NYSE was $34 15/16 per share.
The Notes are not redeemable by the Company prior to March 20, 2001.
Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable on at least 30 days' prior notice at
the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time, at the redemption
prices set forth in this Prospectus, in each case together with accrued
interest. Upon a Fundamental Change (as defined herein), each holder of Notes
shall have the right, at the holder's option, to require the Company to
repurchase such holder's Notes at a purchase price of 100% of the principal
amount thereof, subject to adjustment in certain events as described herein,
plus accrued interest. See "Description of the Notes -- Redemption at Option of
the Company" and "-- Redemption at Option of the Holder."
The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinate in right of
payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the
Company and are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and liabilities of
subsidiaries of the Company. The Indenture does not restrict incurrence of any
other indebtedness or liabilities of the Company or its subsidiaries. See
"Description of the Notes -- Subordination of Notes."
The Notes and the Shares are being registered to permit public secondary
trading of the Notes and, upon conversion, the underlying Common Stock, by the
holders thereof from time to time after the date of this Prospectus.
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of the Notes or
the Shares by the Selling Securityholders. The Notes and the Shares may be
offered and sold from time to time by the Selling Securityholders in negotiated
transactions or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at
negotiated prices. See "Plan of Distribution." The Selling Securityholders may
be deemed to be "underwriters" as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). If any broker-dealers are used by the Selling
Securityholders, any commissions paid to broker-dealers and, if broker-dealers
purchase any Notes or Shares as principals, any profits received by such
broker-dealers on the resale of the notes or Shares may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. In addition, any
profits realized by the Selling Securityholder may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
MATTERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JUNE 15, 1998.
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THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY BY ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH PERSON TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFERING OR
SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IMPLY
THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE COMMON STOCK IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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Forward-Looking Statements................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference................................ 3
The Company................................ 4
Risk Factors............................... 5
Use of Proceeds............................ 11
Common Stock Price Range and Dividends..... 11
Description of the Notes................... 12
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
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<S> <C>
Description of Capital Stock............... 23
Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations........................... 25
Selling Securityholders.................... 30
Plan of Distribution....................... 32
Legal Matters.............................. 33
Experts.................................... 33
Available Information...................... 33
</TABLE>
No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the
accuracy or completeness of the information set forth herein, or incorporated by
reference herein, and nothing contained in this Prospectus, or incorporated by
reference herein, is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation.
The Initial Purchasers and Selling Securityholders assume no responsibility for
the accuracy or completeness hereof.
------------------------
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information contained and incorporated by reference herein contains
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A
number of factors could cause results to differ materially from those
anticipated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are
not limited to, the competitive environment in the quick-service restaurant
industry in general and in the Company's specific market areas, changes in
prevailing interest rates and the availability of financing, inflation, changes
in costs of goods and services, economic conditions in general and in the
Company's specific market areas, and uncertainties related to the Company's
acquisitions of Hardee's and FEI (as each is defined herein). In addition, such
forward-looking statements are necessarily dependent upon assumptions, estimates
and data that may be incorrect or imprecise. Accordingly, any forward-looking
statements included or incorporated by reference herein do not purport to be
predictions of future events or circumstances and may not be realized.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should," "seeks," "pro forma" or "anticipates," or the negative thereof or
other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of
strategies, plans or intentions. The accompanying information contained and
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, including without limitation the
information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors," identifies important
factors that could cause such differences.
IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN
EXAMINATION OF THE COMPANY AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS
AND RISKS INVOLVED. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ANY FEDERAL OR
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY. FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING
AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OR DETERMINED THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents have been filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and are incorporated herein by
reference: the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998, the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated July 15, 1997,
January 15, 1998, February 19, 1998, March 2, 1998, March 10, 1998, March 16,
1998 and April 1, 1998, as amended. All documents filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering to which this Prospectus
relates shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and
to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any
statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein
by reference, or in an amendment or supplement thereto, modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents that have been or
may be incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to such documents
which are not specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Such
requests should be directed to the attention of General Counsel, at CKE
Restaurants, Inc., 1200 North Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92801,
telephone (714) 774-5796.
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THE COMPANY
The Company is a leading nationwide owner, operator and franchisor of
quick-service restaurants with 3,981 branded restaurant units operating as of
January 26, 1998, primarily under the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's brand names. Based
on domestic system-wide sales, the Company's Hardee's and Carl's Jr. chains are
the fourth and seventh largest quick-service hamburger restaurant chains in the
United States, respectively. The Company also owns and operates quick-service
Mexican restaurants under the Taco Bueno brand name.
- Carl's Jr.(R) -- Carl's Jr. was founded in 1956 and is located primarily
in the Western United States, with a leading market presence in
California. The Carl's Jr. menu features several charbroiled hamburgers,
chicken sandwiches, steak sandwiches and other signature items, including
the Famous Star, Western Bacon Cheeseburger(R), Super Star(R),
Charbroiler Chicken Sandwiches(R), Crispy Chicken Sandwiches and the
Charbroiled Sirloin Steak Sandwich. The Company believes that Carl's Jr.
maintains a strong price-value image with its customers because its menu
items are generally made-to-order, meet exacting quality standards, are
offered in generous portions and have a strong reputation for quality and
taste. As of January 26, 1998, the Carl's Jr. system included 708
restaurants, of which 443 were operated by the Company and 265 were
operated by the Company's franchisees and licensees.
- Hardee's(R) -- Hardee's, which was acquired by the Company in July 1997,
was founded in 1961 and has a leading market presence in the Southeastern
and Midwestern United States. Hardee's strength is its breakfast menu,
generating approximately 30% of its overall revenues, which is one of the
highest percentages in the quick-service hamburger restaurant industry.
Hardee's breakfast menu features made-from-scratch biscuits, biscuit
breakfast sandwiches and other items such as hash rounds and breakfast
platters. The current Hardee's lunch and dinner menu includes hamburgers
and fried chicken. Since its acquisition of Hardee's, the Company's
management has implemented certain improvements to the Hardee's menu by
streamlining its product offerings and is in the process of adding in
selected markets certain Carl's Jr. lunch and dinner menu items to
complement Hardee's strong breakfast menu. As of January 26, 1998, the
Hardee's system included 3,038 restaurants, of which 863 were operated by
the Company and 2,175 were operated by the Company's franchisees and
licensees. As a result of the FEI Acquisition, 1,420 of the 3,038
Hardee's restaurants operated as of January 26, 1998 are presently
operated by the Company and 1,618 are operated by the Company's
franchisees and licensees.
- Taco Bueno(R) -- The Company owns and operates 109 Taco Bueno
quick-service Mexican restaurants located in Texas and Oklahoma. Taco
Bueno seeks to differentiate itself from its principal competitors by
offering a diverse menu featuring generous portions of freshly prepared,
high quality food items. In addition to typical quick-service Mexican
offerings, such as burritos, tacos, tostadas and combination meals, Taco
Bueno features a number of signature menu items, such as its Chicken Taco
Salad and Mucho Burrito Platter.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1200 North Harbor
Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92801, and its telephone number is (714)
774-5796.
------------------------
The Company's fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the last
Monday in January of each year. For example, references to fiscal 1998 refer to
the 52-week period ended January 26, 1998. For clarity of presentation, all
fiscal years are presented herein as if the fiscal year ended on January 31. As
used in this Prospectus, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context
otherwise requires, (i) the terms "Company" and "CKE" refer to the Company and
its consolidated subsidiaries, (ii) the term "Hardee's" refers to Hardee's Food
Systems, Inc., prior to and after its acquisition by the Company, and (iii) the
term "FEI" refers to Flagstar Enterprises, Inc., prior to the consummation of
its acquisition by the Company (the "FEI Acquisition"). Unless otherwise
expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires, all information herein
(i) reflects the three-for-two stock split of the Company's Common Stock which
was completed in January 1997 in the form of a 50% stock dividend and (ii)
reflects a 10% stock dividend effected in February 1998.
"Carl's Jr." and "Hardee's" are registered trademarks of the Company. All
rights are fully reserved. This Prospectus also contains other trademarks of the
Company and refers to trademarks of other companies.
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RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth and incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, prospective investors should carefully consider
the following information in evaluating the Company and its business before
making an investment in the securities offered hereby. See "Forward-Looking
Statements."
Uncertainties Related to the Integration of Hardee's and FEI. The
acquisition of Hardee's significantly increased the size of the Company.
Managing the Company and integrating the acquired business operations of
Hardee's will continue to present a significant challenge to the Company's
management. Historically, Hardee's has been a well-established but
underperforming brand which has recently experienced declining system-wide
same-store sales and a declining market share in the quick-service hamburger
restaurant industry. The Company continues to evaluate the restaurant operations
of Hardee's and various short- and long-term strategic considerations in the
process of assessing the extent to which Hardee's restaurant operations will be
integrated, restructured or otherwise modified by the Company. One of the
objectives of the Company's turnaround strategies for Hardee's is to stem the
recent negative operating trends experienced by Hardee's. However, there can be
no assurance that these strategies will be successful. If the Company is unable
to achieve anticipated improvements in restaurant-level operating margins or
reductions in corporate overhead costs in its Hardee's operations on a timely
basis, cash flows generated from Hardee's operations may not be adequate to
support the Company's turnaround strategies for Hardee's, some of which require
significant capital expenditures. The Company's success will also depend, in
part, on its Hardee's franchisees. Hardee's franchisees are not required to
participate in implementing the Company's strategies and there can be no
assurance that Hardee's franchisees will participate. Lack of participation by
Hardee's franchisees in implementing the Company's strategies could delay or
limit the success of the Company's strategies. Restructuring and integrating the
restaurant operations of Hardee's will require the dedication of significant
capital and management resources, which may cause an interruption of, or a loss
of momentum in, the activities of the Company. The difficulties of such
restructuring and integration may be increased by the necessity of coordinating
geographically separate organizations and selectively introducing the Carl's Jr.
brand into markets in which Carl's Jr. restaurants have never operated, all of
which, together with other factors beyond the Company's control, may adversely
affect the cost, implementation, execution and timing of the Company's
turnaround strategies for Hardee's. Failure to effectively accomplish the
integration of the Company's operations or to improve Hardee's results of
operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations.
The FEI Acquisition has resulted in another significant increase in the
size of the Company. Integrating the acquired business operations of FEI also
presents a significant challenge to the Company's management, and may affect the
implementation and timing of the Company's turnaround strategies for Hardee's.
The Company believes that the FEI Acquisition will help the Company achieve a
greater degree of control over the entire Hardee's system; however, no
assurances can be given that the Company will realize the benefits it
anticipates from the FEI Acquisition or that the FEI Acquisition will not
adversely affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Increased Leverage. In order to finance the Hardee's acquisition and to
make borrowings available to the Company for working capital and other corporate
purposes, in July 1997 the Company entered into a term loan facility of $75.0
million (the "Term Loan Facility") and a $225.0 million revolving credit
facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility" and, collectively with the Term Loan
Facility, the "Senior Credit Facility"). As of January 26, 1998, borrowings of
$67.5 million remained outstanding under the Term Loan Facility and borrowings
of $71.0 million remained outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. On
April 1, 1998, the Company amended the Senior Credit Facility to increase the
aggregate principal amounts of the lenders' commitments under the Term Loan
Facility to $250.0 million and under the Revolving Credit Facility to $250.0
million. The Company incurred borrowings of $213.2 million thereunder to finance
a portion of the purchase price of the FEI Acquisition. In connection with the
initial sale of the Notes on March 13, 1998, the Company incurred approximately
$197.2 million in additional indebtedness which, when combined with the amount
the Company had outstanding under its Senior Credit Facility, increased the
ratio of its long-term debt to its total capitalization from 28.2% at January
26, 1998 to 56.5%, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to the FEI Acquisition
and the sale of the Notes. The Company's increased degree of leverage could have
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important consequences to investors, including the following: (i) the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate purposes may be decreased in
the future; (ii) an increased portion of the Company's cash flow from operations
will be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness,
thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other purposes; (iii)
most of the Company's borrowings are and will continue to be at variable rates
of interest (including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility), which
exposes the Company to the risk of increased interest rates; (iv) the Company
may be substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors, which may
place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; and (v) the Company's
substantial degree of leverage may limit its flexibility to adjust to changing
market conditions, reduce its ability to withstand competitive pressures and
make it more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its
businesses. The Company's ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance its
obligations with respect to its indebtedness, and to comply with the financial
covenants and other obligations under its debt instruments, will depend on its
financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to economic
conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond its control.
There can be no assurance that the Company's operating results, cash flow and
capital resources will be sufficient for payment of its indebtedness in the
future. See "Description of the Notes."
Risks Associated with Growth Strategy. The Company's growth strategy
includes, among other things, opening additional Company-operated and franchised
restaurants, dual-branding its restaurant concepts and remodeling its
restaurants. The success of the Company's growth strategy will depend on
numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and its
franchisees, including the hiring, training and retention of qualified
management and other restaurant personnel, the ability to obtain necessary
governmental permits and approvals, the availability of appropriate financing
and general economic conditions. The Company and its franchisees face
competition from other restaurant operators, retail chains, companies and
developers for desirable site locations, which may adversely affect the cost,
implementation and timing of the Company's expansion plans. To manage its
planned expansion, the Company must ensure the continuing adequacy of its
existing systems and procedures, including its supply and distribution
arrangements, restaurant management, financial controls and information systems.
The Company's growth will also depend in part on its ability to increase
sales at existing restaurants. In addition to its turnaround strategies for
Hardee's, the Company expects to continue remodeling and upgrading equipment at
its Hardee's restaurants. The Company has substantially completed its remodeling
program for its Company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants and plans to convert at
least 60 of its Carl's Jr. restaurants to Carl's Jr./Green Burrito dual-brand
restaurants in each of the next three years. The Company will incur significant
capital expenditures in remodeling and converting restaurants and will
experience a loss of revenues during the brief periods of time that restaurants
are closed for remodeling or conversion. There can be no assurance that such
remodels and conversions will increase the revenues generated by these
restaurants or, even if revenues are increased, that such increases will be
sustainable. In addition, although the sales results experienced by the
Company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants that have been remodeled or converted to
dual-brand restaurants have generally been favorable to date, there can be no
assurance that such favorable sales results are sustainable or that they are
indicative of sales results that will be achieved by restaurants to be remodeled
or converted in the future. There can also be no assurance that the Company will
be able to achieve same-store sales increases in its Company-operated
restaurants.
Environmental Matters. The Company is subject to federal, state and local
laws, regulations and ordinances that (i) govern activities or operations that
may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water, as
well as handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes, and (ii)
impose liability for the costs of cleaning up, and certain damages resulting
from, sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials
(together, "Environmental Laws"). In particular, under applicable Environmental
Laws, the Company may be responsible for remediation of environmental conditions
and may be subject to associated liabilities (including liabilities resulting
from lawsuits brought by private litigants) relating to its restaurants and the
land on which its restaurants are located, regardless of whether the Company
leases or owns the restaurants or land in question and regardless of whether
such environmental conditions were created by the Company or by a prior owner or
tenant. There can be no
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assurance that environmental conditions relating to prior, existing or future
restaurants or restaurant sites will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Risks Related to Acquisition Strategy. Although the Company is not
currently contemplating any significant additional acquisitions of other
restaurant companies, it will continue to evaluate investment opportunities in
other restaurant companies. Acquisitions involve a number of risks that could
adversely affect the Company's operating results, including the diversion of
management's attention, the assimilation of the operations and personnel of the
acquired companies, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the
potential loss of key employees. No assurance can be given that any acquisition
or investment by the Company will not materially and adversely affect the
Company or that any such acquisition or investment will enhance the Company's
business. If the Company determines to make any significant acquisitions of, or
investments in, other businesses, the Company may be required to sell additional
equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sales, if
any, of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in
additional dilution to the Company's stockholders.
Competition. The food service industry is intensely competitive with
respect to the quality and value of food products offered, concept, service,
price, dining experience and location. The Company primarily competes with major
restaurant chains, some of which dominate the quick-service restaurant industry,
and also competes with a variety of other food service companies and fast-food
restaurants. The Company's competitors also include a variety of mid-price,
full-service casual dining restaurants, health and nutrition-oriented
restaurants, delicatessens and prepared food stores, as well as supermarkets and
convenience stores. Many of the Company's competitors have substantially greater
financial, marketing and other resources than the Company, which may give them
certain competitive advantages. Certain of the major quick-service restaurant
chains have increasingly offered selected food items and combination meals at
discounted prices. In recent years, the Company's restaurant sales were
adversely affected by aggressive promotions and price reductions by its
competitors. Future changes in the pricing or other marketing strategies of one
or more of the Company's competitors could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations. As the Company's
competitors expand operations, competition can be expected to intensify. Such
increased competition could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
Food Service Industry. Food service businesses are often affected by
changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions and
demographic trends. The performance of individual restaurants may be adversely
affected by factors such as traffic patterns, demographics and the type, number
and location of competing restaurants. Multi-unit food service businesses such
as the Company's can also be materially and adversely affected by publicity
resulting from poor food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns or
operating issues stemming from one restaurant or a limited number of restaurants
or from consumer concerns with respect to the nutritional value of quick-service
food. Dependence on frequent deliveries of fresh produce and groceries subjects
food service businesses such as the Company's to the risk that shortages or
interruptions in supply, caused by adverse weather or other conditions, could
adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients. In addition,
unfavorable trends or developments concerning factors such as inflation,
increased food, labor and employee benefit costs (including increases in hourly
wage and unemployment tax rates), increases in the number and locations of
competing quick-service restaurants, regional weather conditions and the
availability of experienced management and hourly employees may also adversely
affect the food service industry in general and the Company's financial
condition and results of operations in particular. Changes in economic
conditions affecting the Company's customers could reduce traffic in some or all
of the Company's restaurants or impose practical limits on pricing, either of
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
and results of operations. The continued success of the Company will depend in
part on the ability of the Company's management to anticipate, identify and
respond to changing conditions.
Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company believes that its success will
depend in part on the continuing services of its key executives, including
William P. Foley II, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and C.
Thomas Thompson, President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to his
position with the Company, Mr. Foley currently serves as a director or executive
officer of certain other business entities and a meaningful portion of his time
is devoted to such other businesses. The loss of the
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services of either of these executives could have a material adverse effect upon
the Company's business, and there can be no assurance that qualified
replacements would be available. The Company's continued growth will also depend
in part on its ability to attract and retain additional skilled management
personnel.
Government Regulations. The restaurant industry is subject to extensive
federal, state and local governmental regulations, including those relating to
the preparation and sale of food and those relating to building and zoning
requirements. The Company and its franchisees are also subject to laws governing
their relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements,
overtime, working and safety conditions and citizenship requirements. The
Company is also subject to federal regulation and certain state laws which
govern the offer and sale of franchises. Many state franchise laws impose
substantive requirements on franchise agreements, including limitations on
noncompetition provisions and on provisions concerning the termination or
nonrenewal of a franchise. Some states require that certain materials be
registered before franchises can be offered or sold in that state. The failure
to obtain or retain licenses or approvals to sell franchises could adversely
affect the Company and its franchisees. Many of the Company's employees are paid
hourly rates based upon the federal and state minimum wage laws. Recent
legislation increasing the minimum wage has resulted in higher labor costs to
the Company and its franchisees. The Company anticipates that increases in the
minimum wage may be offset through pricing and other cost control efforts;
however, there can be no assurance that the Company or its franchisees will be
able to pass such additional costs on to customers in whole or in part.
Subordination. The Notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment
in full to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including
borrowings under the Company's Senior Credit Facility. As a result of such
subordination, in the event of the Company's liquidation or insolvency, a
payment or covenant default with respect to Senior Indebtedness or upon
acceleration of the Notes due to an event of default, the assets of the Company
will be available to pay obligations on the Notes only after all Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full, and there may not be sufficient assets
remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the Notes then outstanding.
The Notes are obligations exclusively of the Company. Since the operations
of the Company are primarily conducted through subsidiaries, the cash flow and
the Company's ability to service debt, including the Notes of the Company, are
dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those
earnings to, or upon loans or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries to,
the Company. The payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to
the Company by its subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or contractual
restrictions, are dependent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are
subject to various business considerations. Any right of the Company to receive
assets of any of its subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization (and
the consequent right of the holders of the Notes to participate in those assets)
will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors
(including trade creditors), except to the extent that the Company is itself
recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the claims of the
Company would still be subordinate to any security interests in the assets of
such subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by
the Company.
Giving effect to the FEI Acquisition, including the incurrence of
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility to fund a portion of the FEI
Acquisition, as of January 26, 1998, the Company had approximately $618.6
million of indebtedness and other liabilities that would have constituted Senior
Indebtedness (including approximately $351.7 million under the Senior Credit
Facility). As of January 26, 1998, after giving pro forma effect to the FEI
Acquisition, the Company's subsidiaries would have had approximately $182.6
million of indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables and
excluding intercompany liabilities) as to which the Notes would have been
effectively subordinated. The Indenture does not prohibit or limit the
incurrence of Senior Indebtedness or the incurrence of other indebtedness and
other liabilities by the Company or its subsidiaries. The incurrence of
additional indebtedness and other liabilities by the Company or its subsidiaries
could adversely affect the Company's ability to pay its obligations on the
Notes. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness
and other liabilities, including Senior Indebtedness, and also expects that its
subsidiaries will from time to time incur additional indebtedness and other
liabilities. In addition, the Company may not repurchase any Notes upon a
Fundamental Change if at such time the subordination provisions of the Indenture
would prohibit the Company from making payments of principal in
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<PAGE> 9
respect of the Notes. Such provisions may limit the ability of the Company to
repurchase the Notes in the event of a Fundamental Change, and the failure to so
repurchase the Notes when required would result in an Event of Default (as
defined herein) under the Indenture. See "Description of the
Notes -- Subordination."
Litigation. The Company is from time to time the subject of complaints and
litigation from customers alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health
or operational concerns. The Company also is the subject of complaints or
allegations from employees and franchisees from time to time. The Company
believes that the lawsuits, claims and other legal matters to which it is
subject in the course of its business are not material to the Company's
financial condition or results of operations, but an existing or future lawsuit
or claim could result in an adverse decision against the Company that could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of
operations.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws include several provisions and features intended to render more difficult
certain unsolicited or hostile attempts to acquire the Company. These features
include, among other things, the establishment of a classified Board of
Directors with staggered terms of office and cumulative voting in the election
of directors, the requirement of a supermajority vote of stockholders to approve
certain business combinations, the elimination of the right of stockholders to
call special meetings of stockholders or to act by written consent, advance
notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations,
provisions that directors may be removed only for cause and that vacancies in
the Board of Directors may (unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise)
be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, and a requirement for a
supermajority vote of stockholders to amend certain of the foregoing provisions.
In light of the foregoing, the Company has elected, in its Certificate of
Incorporation, not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, which limits the ability of a corporation to engage in certain
"business combinations" (as defined therein) with an "interested stockholder"
(as defined therein). In addition, the Board of Directors has the authority,
without further action by the Company's stockholders, to issue up to five
million shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to fix the rights,
preferences and restrictions thereof. These provisions could have the effect of
making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a
third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions
could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future
for shares of the Company's Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock."
Absence of Public Market for the Notes. Prior to this offering, there has
been no public trading market for the Notes. Although the Notes have been
eligible for trading in the PORTAL Market, Notes acquired pursuant to this
Prospectus will not be eligible for trading in the PORTAL Market. In addition,
although certain of the Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they
are currently making a market in the Notes, they are not obligated to do so and
may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Such market
making activity will be subject to limits imposed by the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any market for the
Notes will be maintained. If an active market for the Notes is not sustained,
the trading price of such Notes could be materially adversely affected. The
Company currently does not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any
national securities exchange.
Stock Price Volatility. The market price of the Company's Common Stock has
risen substantially since fiscal 1996. See "Common Stock Price Range and
Dividends." The market price of the Common Stock could be substantially affected
by quarterly variations in the actual or anticipated results of operations of
the Company, its competitors and other companies in the restaurant industry, as
well as changes in general conditions in the economy, the financial markets or
the quick-service restaurant industry, the failure by the Company to meet
securities analysts' expectations, changes in securities analysts'
recommendations regarding the Common Stock, the occurrence of natural disasters,
or other developments affecting the Company or its competitors. In recent years
the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This
volatility has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities
issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of
these companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market
price of the Company's Common Stock.
Limitation on Repurchase Upon a Fundamental Change. The Company's ability
to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change may be limited by the
Indenture and the Senior Indebtedness. As a result
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<PAGE> 10
of such limitations, it is unlikely that a holder of the Notes would be able to
compel the Company to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change unless the
Company is able to refinance such Senior Indebtedness. The Company may not have
the financial ability to repurchase the Notes in the event payment of Senior
Indebtedness is accelerated. The Fundamental Change provision may not, in some
instances, prevent a decrease in the value of the Notes in the event the Company
incurs additional leverage through certain types of recapitalizations, leveraged
buyouts or similar transactions. See "Description of the Notes -- Redemption at
Option of the Holder."
Ability to Pay Dividends. The Company currently follows a policy of paying
semi-annual cash dividends on its Common Stock. However, the continued payment
of dividends on the Common Stock will depend on certain factors, including the
Company's operating results, business requirements and financial condition, and
such other factors that the Company's Board of Directors considers relevant.
Under certain circumstances, the Senior Credit Facility will restrict the
ability of the Company to pay cash dividends on the Common Stock. See "Common
Stock Price Range and Dividends."
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<PAGE> 11
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Offered
Securities by the Selling Securityholders. See "Selling Securityholders."
COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE AND DIVIDENDS
The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under
the symbol "CKR". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
high and low closing sale prices of the Company's Common Stock reported on the
NYSE Composite Tape and cash dividends declared per share on the Company's
Common Stock (retroactively adjusted for a three-for-two stock split effected as
a stock dividend in January 1997 and a 10% stock dividend in February 1998).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CASH
DIVIDENDS
HIGH LOW DECLARED
------ ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FISCAL 1997
First Quarter................................. $14.62 $ 9.02 --
Second Quarter................................ 16.97 12.42 $ .024
Third Quarter................................. 20.76 14.02 --
Fourth Quarter................................ 21.82 17.35 $ .024
FISCAL 1998
First Quarter................................. $23.18 $16.70 --
Second Quarter................................ 32.95 20.34 $ .036
Third Quarter................................. 40.85 28.64 --
Fourth Quarter................................ 42.19 31.25 $ .036
FISCAL 1999
First Quarter................................. $45.81 $30.88 $ .040
Second Quarter (through June 8, 1998)......... $34.94 $29.81 --
</TABLE>
As of January 26, 1998, there were approximately 1,800 holders of record of
the Common Stock.
The Company has followed a policy of paying semi-annual cash dividends, at
the annual rate of $0.05 per share (adjusted to give retroactive effect to the
stock split and stock dividend) during fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997. During
fiscal 1998, the Company increased the annual cash dividend rate to $0.07 per
share (adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock dividend). On March 31,
1998, the Company's Board of Directors increased the semi-annual cash dividend
rate to $0.04 per share and declared a $0.04 cash dividend, which was paid on
April 30, 1998 to holders of record on April 15, 1998. The continued payment of
dividends on the Common Stock will depend upon certain factors, including the
Company's operating results, business requirements and financial condition and
such other factors that the Company's Board of Directors considers relevant.
Under certain circumstances, the Senior Credit Facility restricts the ability of
the Company to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock. See "Risk
Factors -- Ability to Pay Dividends."
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<PAGE> 12
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The Notes were issued under an indenture dated as of March 13, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company,
National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Copies of the Indenture and
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) are available from the Trustee
upon request by a registered holder of the Notes. The following summaries of
certain provisions of the Notes, the Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Notes, the Indenture
and the Registration Rights Agreement, including the definitions therein of
certain terms which are not otherwise defined in this Prospectus. Wherever
particular provisions or defined terms of the Indenture (or of the Form of Note
which is a part thereof) or the Registration Rights Agreement are referred to,
such provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.
GENERAL
The Notes represent unsecured general obligations of the Company
subordinate in right of payment to certain other obligations of the Company as
described under "-- Subordination of Notes" and convertible into Common Stock as
described under "-- Conversion of Notes." The Notes are limited to $197,225,000
aggregate principal amount, are issuable only in denominations of $1,000 and
multiples thereof and will mature on March 15, 2004.
The Indenture does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on
the payment of dividends, the incurrence of Senior Indebtedness (as defined
below under "-- Subordination of Notes"), or the issuance or repurchase of
securities of the Company. The Indenture contains no covenants or other
provisions to afford protection to holders of the Notes in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction or a change in control of the Company except to the extent
described under "-- Redemption at Option of the Holder."
The Notes bear interest at the annual rate set forth on the cover page
hereof from March 13, 1998, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15,
commencing on September 15, 1998, to holders of record at the close of business
on the preceding March 1 and September 1, respectively, except (i) that the
interest payable upon redemption (unless the date of redemption is an interest
payment date) will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable and
(ii) as set forth in the next succeeding sentence. In the case of any Note (or
portion thereof) which is converted into Common Stock of the Company during the
period from (but excluding) a record date to (but excluding) the next succeeding
interest payment date either (i) if such Note (or portion thereof) has been
called for redemption on a redemption date which occurs during such period, or
is to be redeemed in connection with a Fundamental Change on a Repurchase Date
(as defined) which occurs during such period, the Company shall not be required
to pay interest on such next succeeding interest payment date in respect of any
such Note (or portion thereof) or (ii) if otherwise, any Note (or portion
thereof) submitted for conversion during such period shall be accompanied by
funds equal to the interest payable on such succeeding interest payment date on
the principal amount so converted (see "Conversion of Notes"). Interest may, at
the Company's option, be paid either (i) by check mailed to the address of the
person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note register or (ii) by transfer
to an account maintained by such person located in the United States; provided,
however, that payments to The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York
("DTC") will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
account of DTC or its nominee. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
FORM, DENOMINATION AND REGISTRATION
The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 principal amount and multiples thereof.
Global Notes, Book-Entry Form. Notes sold by the Selling Securityholders
pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part
will be evidenced by a global Note (the "Global Note"), except as set forth
below under "Certificated Notes." The Global Note will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede") as DTC's
nominee. Beneficial interests in the
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<PAGE> 13
Global Note will be exchangeable for definitive certificated Notes only in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Purchasers of the Notes may hold their interests in the Global Note
directly through DTC if such holder is a participant in DTC, or indirectly
through organizations which are participants in DTC ("Participants"). Transfers
between Participants will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC
rules and will be settled in clearing house funds.
Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own interests in the
Global Note held by DTC only through Participants or certain banks, brokers,
dealers, trust companies and other parties that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly
("Indirect Participants"). So long as Cede, as the nominee of DTC, is the
registered owner of the Global Note, Cede for all purposes will be considered
the sole holder of the Global Note. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Note will not be entitled to have
certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive registered form, and
will not be considered the holders thereof.
Payment of interest on and the redemption price or repurchase price of the
Global Note will be made to Cede, as the nominee of DTC, as the registered owner
of the Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds on each
interest payment date or the redemption or repurchase date, as the case may be.
None of the Company, the Trustee nor any paying agent will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
The Company has been informed by DTC that, with respect to any payment of
interest on, or the redemption price of, the Global Note, DTC's practice is to
credit Participants' accounts on the payment date therefor with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount represented by the Global Note as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC
has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date.
Payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in the principal
amount represented by the Global Note held through such Participants will be the
responsibility of such Participants, as is now the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers registered in "street name."
Because DTC can only act on behalf of Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person
having a beneficial interest in the principal amount represented by the Global
Note to pledge such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in
the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee (or any registrar, authenticating
agent, paying agent or conversion agent under the Indenture) will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC or its Participants or Indirect
Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations. DTC has advised the Company that it will take any
action permitted to be taken by a holder of Notes (including, without
limitation, the presentation of Notes for exchange as described below), only at
the direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in
a Global Note are credited, and only in respect of the principal amount of the
Notes represented by such Global Note as to which such Participant or
Participants has or have given such direction.
DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"). DTC was created to hold securities for its Participants and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Participants
through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its Participants,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations and may include certain other organizations such as the Initial
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<PAGE> 14
Purchasers. Certain of such Participants (or their representatives), together
with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the DTC system is available to
others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through,
or maintain a custodial relationship with, a Participant, either directly or
indirectly.
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in Global Notes among Participants, it is under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days, the Company will cause Notes to be issued in
definitive registered form in exchange for Global Notes.
Certificated Notes. Holders of Notes may take physical delivery of the
Notes in definitive registered form. In addition, holders of Notes may request
that certificated Notes be issued in exchange for Notes represented by a Global
Note. Furthermore, certificated Notes may be issued in exchange for Notes
represented by Global Notes if DTC is unable or unwilling to continue as
depositary and no successor depositary is appointed by the Company as set forth
above under "-- Global Notes, Book-Entry Form."
CONVERSION OF NOTES
The holders of Notes will be entitled at any time on or after 90 days
following the date of original issuance thereof through the close of business on
the final maturity date of the Notes, subject to prior redemption, to convert
any Notes or portions thereof (in denominations of $1,000 or multiples thereof)
into Common Stock of the Company, at the conversion price set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus, subject to adjustment as described below. Except as
described below, no payment or other adjustment will be made on conversion of
any Notes for interest accrued thereon or for dividends on any Common Stock
issued. If any Notes not called for redemption are converted after a record date
for the payment of interest and prior to the next succeeding interest payment
date, such Notes must be accompanied by funds equal to the interest payable on
such succeeding interest payment date on the principal amount so converted. The
Company is not required to issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of Notes and, in lieu thereof, will pay a cash adjustment based upon
the market price of Common Stock on the last business day prior to the date of
conversion. In the case of Notes called for redemption, conversion rights will
expire at the close of business on the business day preceding the day fixed for
redemption unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price. A
Note in respect of which a holder is exercising its option to require redemption
upon a Fundamental Change may be converted only if such holder withdraws its
election to exercise its option in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
The initial conversion price of $48.204 per share of Common Stock is
subject to adjustment under formulae as set forth in the Indenture in certain
events, including:
(i) the issuance of Common Stock of the Company as a dividend or
distribution on the Common Stock;
(ii) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of certain rights or
warrants to purchase Common Stock;
(iii) certain subdivisions and combinations of the Common Stock;
(iv) the distribution to all holders of Common Stock of capital stock
(other than Common Stock) or evidences of indebtedness of the Company or of
assets (including securities, but excluding those rights or warrants to
purchase Common Stock, and dividends and distributions referred to above or
paid in cash);
(v) distributions consisting of cash, excluding any quarterly cash
dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that the aggregate cash dividend
per share of Common Stock in any fiscal quarter does not exceed the greater
of (x) the amount per share of Common Stock of the next preceding quarterly
cash dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that such preceding
quarterly dividend did not require an adjustment of the conversion price
pursuant to this clause (v) (as adjusted to reflect subdivisions or
combinations of the Common Stock), and (y) 3.75 percent of the average of
the last reported sales price
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<PAGE> 15
of the Common Stock during the ten consecutive trading days immediately
prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, and excluding any
dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company. If an adjustment is required to be made as set
forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution that is a quarterly
dividend, such adjustment would be based upon the amount by which such
distribution exceeds the amount of the quarterly cash dividend permitted to
be excluded pursuant to this clause (v). If an adjustment is required to be
made as set forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution that is
not a quarterly dividend, such adjustment would be based upon the full
amount of the distribution;
(vi) payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock to the extent
that the cash and value of any other consideration included in such payment
per share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price (as defined in
the Indenture) per share of Common Stock on the trading day next succeeding
the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such
tender or exchange offer;
(vii) payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by a
person other than the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in which, as
of the closing date of the offer, the Board of Directors is not
recommending rejection of the offer. The adjustment referred to in this
clause (vii) will only be made if the tender offer or exchange offer is for
an amount that increases the offeror's ownership of Common Stock to more
than 35% of the total shares of Common Stock outstanding, and if the cash
and value of any other consideration included in such payment per share of
Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on
the business day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or
exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer. The
adjustment referred to in this clause (vii) will generally not be made,
however, if, as of the closing of the offer, the offering documents with
respect to such offer disclose a plan or an intention to cause the Company
to engage in a consolidation or merger of the Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets; and
(viii) the issuance of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Common Stock at a price per share (or having a conversion
or exchange price per share) that is less than the then Current Market
Price of the Common Stock (but excluding, among other thing, issuances: (a)
pursuant to any bona fide plan for the benefit of employees, directors or
consultants of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in effect on
the date of the Indenture or thereafter; (b) to acquire all or any portion
of a business in an arm's-length transaction between the Company and an
unaffiliated third party fees including, if applicable, issuances upon
exercise of options or warrants assumed in connection with such an
acquisition; (c) in a bona fide public offering pursuant to a firm
commitment underwriting (or similar type of offering made pursuant to Rule
144A and/or Regulation S under the Securities Act) or sales at the market
pursuant to a continuous offering stock program; (d) pursuant to the
exercise of warrants, rights (including, without limitation, earnout
rights) or options, or upon the conversion of convertible securities, which
are issued and outstanding on the date of the Indenture, or which may be
issued in the future at fair value and with an exercise price or conversion
price at least equal to the Current Market Price of the Common Stock at the
time of issuance of such warrant, right, option or convertible security;
and (e) pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or other plan hereafter
adopted for the reinvestment of dividends or interest provided that such
Common Stock is issued at a price at least equal to 95% of the market price
of the Common Stock at the time of such issuance).
In the case of (i) any reclassification or change of the Common Stock or
(ii) a consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company or (iii) a
sale or conveyance to another person of the property and assets of the Company
as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in each case as a result of
which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other
securities, other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in
exchange for such Common Stock, the holders of the Notes then outstanding will
generally be entitled thereafter to convert such Notes into the kind and amount
of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets which they
would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance had such Notes been
converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger,
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<PAGE> 16
combination, sale or conveyance assuming that a holder of Notes would not have
exercised any rights of election as to the stock, other securities or other
property or assets receivable in connection therewith.
In the event of a taxable distribution to holders of Common Stock or in
certain other circumstances requiring conversion price adjustments, the holders
of Notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received a
distribution subject to United States income tax as a dividend; in certain other
circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment may result in a taxable
dividend to the holders of Common Stock. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
The Company from time to time may to the extent permitted by law reduce the
conversion price by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which case
the Company shall give at least 15 days' notice of such reduction, if the Board
of Directors has made a determination that such reduction would be in the best
interests of the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The Company
may, at its option, make such reductions in the conversion price, in addition to
those set forth above, as the Board of Directors deems advisable to avoid or
diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock resulting from any dividend
or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated
as such for income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
No adjustment in the conversion price will be required unless such
adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the conversion price then in
effect; provided that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
Except as stated above, the conversion price will not be adjusted for the
issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE COMPANY
The Notes are not entitled to any sinking fund. At any time on or after
March 20, 2001, the Notes will be redeemable at the Company's option on at least
30 days' notice as a whole or, from time to time, in part at the following
prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount), together with
accrued interest to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption: if redeemed
during the period beginning March 20, 2001 and ending on March 14, 2002 at a
redemption price of 102.125%, during the 12-month period beginning March 15,
2002 at a redemption price of 101.417%, during the 12-month period beginning
March 15, 2003 at a redemption price of 100.708% and 100% at March 15, 2004,
provided that any semi-annual payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed
for redemption shall be payable to the holders of record on the relevant record
date of the Notes being redeemed.
If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee
shall select the Notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or
multiples thereof in compliance with the requirements, as certified to the
Trustee by the Company in the form of an officer's Certificate, of the principal
national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed, or if the Notes are
not so listed, by lot, or, in the Trustee's discretion, on a pro rata basis or
by another method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. If a portion of a
holder's Notes is selected for partial redemption and such holder converts a
portion of such Notes, such converted portion shall be deemed to be of the
portion selected for redemption.
The Company may not give notice of any redemption of Notes if an Event of
Default with respect to the payment of interest on any Notes has occurred and is
continuing.
REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER
If a Fundamental Change (as defined herein) occurs at any time prior to
March 15, 2004, each holder of Notes shall have the right, at the holder's
option, to require the Company to redeem any or all of such holder's Notes on
the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 30 days after the date of the Company's
notice of such Fundamental Change. The Notes will be redeemable in multiples of
$1,000 principal amount.
The Company shall redeem such Notes at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof; provided that, if the Applicable Price (as defined) is
less than the Reference Market Price (as defined), the Company shall redeem such
Notes at a price equal to the foregoing redemption price multiplied by the
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<PAGE> 17
fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market
Price. In each case, the Company shall also pay accrued interest on the redeemed
Notes to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date; provided that, if such Repurchase
Date is an interest payment date, then the interest payable on such date shall
be paid to the holder of record of the Notes on the relevant record date.
The Company is required to mail to all holders of record of the Notes a
notice of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change and of the redemption right
arising as a result thereof on or before the tenth day after the occurrence of
such Fundamental Change. The Company is also required to deliver the Trustee a
copy of such notice. To exercise the redemption right, a holder of Notes must
deliver, on or before the 30th day after the date of the Company's notice of a
Fundamental Change (the "Fundamental Change Expiration Time"), written notice of
the holder's exercise of such right, together with the Notes to be so redeemed,
duly endorsed for transfer, to the Company (or an agent designated by the
Company for such purpose). Payment for Notes surrendered for redemption (and not
withdrawn) prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time will be made promptly
following the Repurchase Date.
The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or
event in connection with which all or substantially all Common Stock shall be
exchanged for, be converted into, be acquired for, or constitute the right to
receive consideration (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation,
tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification,
recapitalization or otherwise) which is not all or substantially all common
stock listed (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction
or event which will be listed) on a United States national securities exchange
or approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market or any similar United
States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices. The
term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change in which
the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received
by the holder of one share of Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other
Fundamental Change, the average of the last reported sale price for the Common
Stock during the ten consecutive trading days prior to the record date for the
determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive cash,
securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change,
or, if there is no such record date, the date upon which the holders of the
Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or
other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change. The term "Reference
Market Price" shall initially mean $25.92 and in the event of any adjustment to
the conversion price described above pursuant to the provisions of the
Indenture, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the ratio
of the Reference Market Price to the conversion price after giving effect to any
such adjustment shall always be the same as the ratio of $25.92 to the
conversion price specified on the cover page of this Prospectus (without regards
to any adjustment thereto).
The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other
tender offer rules under the Exchange Act to the extent then applicable in
connection with the redemption rights of the holders of Notes in the event of a
Fundamental Change.
The redemption rights of the holders of Notes could discourage a potential
acquiror of the Company. The Fundamental Change redemption feature, however, is
not the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to obtain
control of the Company by means of a merger, tender officer, solicitation or
otherwise, or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover
provisions. The term "Fundamental Change" is limited to certain specified
transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect the
financial condition of the Company, nor would the requirement that the Company
offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change necessarily afford the
holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction,
reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving the Company.
If a Fundamental Change were to occur, there can be no assurance that the
Company would have sufficient funds to pay the redemption price for all the
Notes tendered by the holders thereof. In addition, the Company's ability to
repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change may be limited by the terms of
the Company's Senior Indebtedness and the subordination provisions of the
Indenture. Further, the ability of the
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Company to repurchase Notes upon a Fundamental Change will be dependent on
compliance with applicable laws. The Company's failure to redeem tendered Notes
in connection with a Fundamental Change would in any event constitute an Event
of Default under the Indenture.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
The Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinated to the extent
provided in the Indenture to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. The Notes also are effectively subordinated to all
indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease
obligations, if any, of the Company's subsidiaries.
Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding, the payment of
the principal of, or premium, if any, and interest (including liquidated
damages, if any) on the Notes will be subordinated to the extent provided in the
Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior
Indebtedness. In the event of any acceleration of the Notes because of an Event
of Default (as defined), the holders of any Senior Indebtedness then outstanding
would be entitled to payment in full in cash of all obligations in respect of
such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of the Notes are entitled to receive
any payment or distribution in respect thereof. The Indenture will require that
the Company promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness if payment of the
Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default.
The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes
(including upon redemption) if (i) a default in the payment of the principal,
premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of Senior
Indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace (a
"Payment Default") or (ii) any other default occurs and is continuing with
respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness (as defined) that permits holders of
the Designated Senior Indebtedness as to which such default relates to
accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of such default (a
"Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or other person permitted to give
such notice under the Indenture (a "Non-Payment Default"). Payments on the Notes
may and shall be resumed (a) in case of a Payment Default, upon the date on
which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist and (b) in case of a
Non-Payment Default, the earlier of the date on which such Non-Payment Default
is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days after the date on which the
applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received. No new period of payment
blockage may be commenced pursuant to a Payment Blockage Notice unless and until
365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior
Payment Blockage Notice. No Non-Payment Default that existed or was continuing
on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be,
or shall be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or any holder
of the Notes receives any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of
any kind in contravention of any of the subordination provisions of the
Indenture, whether in cash, property or securities, including, without
limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, in respect of the Notes before all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, then such payment or distribution will be
held by the recipient in trust for the benefit of holders of Senior Indebtedness
or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent
payment or distribution, or provision therefor, to or for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
By reason of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
the Company's dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or similar
proceeding, holders of Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and
holders of the Notes may receive less, ratably, than the other creditors of the
Company. Such subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any Event of
Default under the Indenture.
The term "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium, if any,
interest (including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition
interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) and rent payable on or
in connection with, and all fees, costs, expenses and other amounts accrued or
due on or in connection with, Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company, whether
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
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<PAGE> 19
incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company (including
all deferrals, renewals, extensions or refundings of, or amendments,
modifications or supplements to, the foregoing), unless in the case of any
particular Indebtedness the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall
not be senior in right of payment to the Notes or expressly provides that such
Indebtedness is pari passu or junior to the Notes. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term Senior Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of the
Company to any subsidiary of the Company, a majority of the voting stock of
which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
The term "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person (as defined) at
any date of determination (without duplication):
(a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of such Person for borrowed money (including obligations of the
Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency
exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or
advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar
instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of
the assets of such Person or to only a portion thereof), other than any
account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred
in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of
materials or services;
(b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bank
guarantees or bankers' acceptances;
(c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in
respect of leases of such Person required, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease
obligations on the balance sheet of such Person and all obligations and
other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related
document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of
real property which provides that such Person is contractually obligated to
purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby
guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and
the obligations of such Person under such lease or related document to
purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property;
(d) all obligations of such Person (contingent or otherwise) with
respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other
similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange,
purchase or similar instrument or agreement;
(e) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such
Person in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise
assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations or
liabilities of another Person of the kind described in clauses (a) through
(d);
(f) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a)
through (d) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance
existing on property which is owned or held by such Person, regardless of
whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have
been assumed by such Person; and
(g) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or
amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation
or liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).
The term "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means Senior Indebtedness under
the Company's existing Senior Credit Facility or any other particular Senior
Indebtedness in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents to which the
Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Indebtedness shall be
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the Indenture (provided that
such instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and
conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of
Designated Senior Indebtedness).
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The Notes are also effectively subordinated to all liabilities, including
trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of the Company's subsidiaries. Any
right of the Company to receive the assets of any of its subsidiaries upon the
liquidation or reorganization thereof (and the consequent right of the holders
of the Notes to participate in these assets) will be effectively subordinated to
the claims of that subsidiary's creditors (including trade creditors), except to
the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor of such
subsidiary, in which case the claims of the Company would still be subordinate
to any security interests in the assets of such subsidiary and any indebtedness
of such subsidiary senior to that held by the Company.
The Company's ability to redeem, repurchase or make interest and principal
payments on the Notes is dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the
distribution of those earnings (through dividends or otherwise) to, or upon
loans or other payment of funds by those subsidiaries to, the Company. The
subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Notes or to make
any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. In
addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to the
Company by its subsidiaries may be subject to statutory, contractual or other
restrictions and are dependent upon the earnings or financial condition of those
subsidiaries and subject to various business considerations. As a result, the
Company may be unable to gain access to the cash flow or assets of its
subsidiaries in amounts sufficient to pay the principal of or interest on the
Notes when due or to redeem Notes at the option of the holders thereof after the
occurrence of a Fundamental Change.
Giving effect to the FEI Acquisition, including the incurrence of
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility to fund a portion of the FEI
Acquisition, as of January 26, 1998, the Company had approximately $618.6
million of indebtedness and other liabilities that constituted Senior
Indebtedness. The Indenture does not limit the amount of additional
indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, which the Company can create,
incur, assume or guarantee, nor does the Indenture limit the amount of
indebtedness or other liabilities that any subsidiary of the Company can create,
incur, assume or guarantee.
The Company is obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the Trustee and
to indemnify the Trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses
incurred by it in connection with its duties relating to the Notes. The
Trustee's claims for such payments will generally be senior to those of the
holders of the Notes in respect of all funds collected or held by the Trustee.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE AND WAIVER
An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as being: (i) default in
payment of the principal of or premium, if any (upon redemption or otherwise),
on the Notes (whether or not such payment is permitted to be made under the
subordination provisions described above); (ii) default for 30 days in payment
of any installment of interest, including liquidated damages, if any, on the
Notes (whether or not such payment is permitted to be made under the
subordination provisions described above); (iii) default by the Company for 60
days after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the
Indenture; (iv) certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (v) failure by the
Company to make any payment at maturity, including any applicable grace period,
in respect of Indebtedness in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $25.0
million in the aggregate for all such issues and continuance of such failure for
a period of 45 days after written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee,
or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; or (vi) default with
respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which
default results in the acceleration of Indebtedness in an amount in excess of
$25.0 million in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons without
such Indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been cured,
waived, rescinded or annulled for a period of 45 days after written notice
thereof to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
provided, however, that if any such failure, default or acceleration referred to
in clause (v) or clause (vi) above shall cease or be cured, waived, rescinded or
annulled, then the Event of Default by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise
to have been thereupon cured. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may
withhold notice to the holders of the Notes of any default (except in payment of
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<PAGE> 21
principal or premium, if any, or interest (including liquidated damages, if any)
with respect to the Notes) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of the
holders of the Notes to do so.
The Indenture also provides that if an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on
the Notes to be due and payable immediately. In the case of certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company, the principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on the Notes shall
automatically become and be immediately due and payable. However, if the Company
shall cure all defaults (except the nonpayment of principal of, premium, if any,
and interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on any of the Notes which
shall have become due by acceleration) and certain other conditions are met,
with certain exceptions, such declaration may be canceled and past defaults may
be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding.
The Indenture provides than any payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest (including liquidated damages, if any) that is not made when due
(whether or not such payment is permitted to be made under the subordination
provisions described above) will accrue interest, to the extent legally
permissible, at the annual rate set forth on the cover page hereof from the date
on which such payment was required under the terms of the Indenture until the
date of payment.
The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care,
to be indemnified by the holders of the Notes before proceeding to exercise any
right or power under such Indenture at the request of such holders. Subject to
such provisions in the Indenture for the indemnification of the Trustee and
certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee.
The Indenture provides that no holder of the Notes may pursue any remedy
under the Indenture, except for a default in the payment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest (including liquidated damages, if any), on the Notes, unless
such holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default, and the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made a written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to pursue the remedy, and the
Trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request and
shall have failed to comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of
such request.
The Indenture contains a covenant that the Company will file annually with
the Trustee a certificate of no default or a certificate specifying any default
that exits.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes
at the time outstanding, to modify the Indenture or any supplemental indenture
or the rights of the holders of the Notes, except that no such modification
shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note, reduce the rate or extend the
time for payment of interest thereon, reduce the principal amount thereof or
premium, if any, thereon, reduce any amount payable upon redemption thereof,
change the obligation of the Company to redeem any Note upon the happening of
any Fundamental Change in a manner adverse to the holders of the Notes, impair
the right of a holder to institute suit for the payment thereof, change the
currency in which the Notes are payable, impair the right to convert the Notes
into Common Stock subject to the terms set forth in the Indenture, or modify the
provisions of the Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Notes in a
manner adverse to the holders of the Notes in any material respect, without the
consent of each holder of a Note so affected or (ii) reduce the aforesaid
percentage of Notes whose holders are required to consent to any such
modification of the Indenture or any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the holders of all of the Notes then outstanding. The Indenture also
provides for certain modifications of its terms without the consent of the
holders of the Notes.
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The Company has filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement,
of which this Prospectus forms a part, covering resales by holders of the Notes
and the Shares. The Company has agreed to use its best efforts to keep the
registration statement effective until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to
the shelf registration statement of all the securities registered thereunder and
(ii) the expiration of the holding period applicable to such securities pursuant
to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision. The Company
will be permitted to suspend the use of this Prospectus for a period not to
exceed 30 days in any three-month period, or not to exceed an aggregate of 60
days in any 12-month period under certain circumstances relating to pending
corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events.
The Company has agreed to pay predetermined liquidated damages to those holders
of Notes and those holders of Shares who have requested to sell pursuant to the
registration statement if the registration statement is not timely filed or if
this Prospectus is unavailable for periods in excess of those permitted above.
The Company has further agreed, if such failure to file or unavailability
continues for an additional 30-day period, to pay predetermined liquidated
damages to all holders of Notes and all holders of Shares, whether or not such
holder has requested to sell pursuant to the shelf registration statement. A
holder who sells the Notes or the Shares pursuant to the shelf registration
statement generally will be required to be named as a selling stockholder in
this Prospectus or a supplement thereto, deliver this Prospectus and any
relevant supplement thereto to purchasers and be bound by those provisions of
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 13, 1998, among the Company and
the Initial Purchasers (the "Registration Rights Agreement") which are
applicable to such holder (including certain indemnification provisions). The
Company will pay all expenses of the registration statement, provide to each
registered holder copies of this Prospectus and any relevant supplement thereto,
notify each registered holder when the shelf registration statement has become
effective and take certain other actions as are required to permit, subject to
the foregoing, unrestricted resales of the Notes or the Shares.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee
under the Indenture, has been appointed by the Company as paying agent,
conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the Notes.
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<PAGE> 23
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), and 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). As
of January 26, 1998, there were (i) 46,523,179 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, excluding 6,096,708 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
under the Company's stock option plans, of which 4,567,698 shares were issuable
upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of January 26, 1998, and
excluding the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, and
(ii) no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for cumulative voting
by holders of Common Stock in the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock
are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all other matters as to which
they are entitled to vote. Cumulative voting rights in the election of directors
means that each holder of Common Stock is entitled at all elections of directors
to as many votes as shall equal the number of votes that (except for the
provision as to cumulative voting) he or she would be entitled to cast for the
election of directors with respect to his or her shares of Common Stock
multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and such holder may cast
all of such votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number
of directors to be voted for, or for any two or more of them as he or she may
see fit. The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with
each class currently consisting of three directors (although one such class
currently has a vacancy). One class is elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms
expire at that annual meeting. Cumulative voting, when combined with the
Company's classified Board of Directors, may make it more difficult for a third
party to gain control of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding
Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably
such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock
are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of or
provision for liabilities of the Company and the liquidation preference, if any,
of any then outstanding Preferred Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no
preemptive rights and have no right to convert their Common Stock into any other
securities.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the
stockholders, to issue shares of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or
more series and to fix the number of shares to be included in each series, the
designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series
and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on such series, including
but not limited to dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and
terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption prices,
liquidation preferences and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any
such series. Although it presently has no intention to do so, the Board of
Directors, without stockholder approval, could issue Preferred Stock with
dividend, voting, conversion and other rights which could adversely affect the
payment of dividends to, or the voting power or other rights of, the holders of
Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock may make it more difficult for a
third party to gain control of the Company.
CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
Certain of the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws will likely make it more difficult for another person or entity to effect
certain business combinations with the Company or to take control of the Board
of Directors of the Company. These provisions include, among others, (a) the
establishment of a classified Board of Directors with staggered terms of office
and the cumulative voting rights described above; (b) the requirements of a
supermajority vote of stockholders to approve certain business combinations; (c)
the elimination of the right of stockholders to call special meetings of
stockholders or to act
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by written consent; (d) advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals
and director nominations; (e) a provision that directors may be removed only for
cause; and (f) a provision that a vacancy in any directorship, including a
vacancy arising through an increase in the number of directors, may (unless the
Board of Directors determines otherwise) be filled only by a majority of the
remaining directors, even though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining
director. Any amendment or repeal of the provisions described in the preceding
sentence (other than the provisions described in clause (d) above) must be
approved by a majority of the directors then in office and by the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the shares of Voting Stock (as
defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) then outstanding. See "Risk
Factors -- Anti-Takeover Provisions."
The Company has elected in its Certificate of Incorporation not to be
governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which limits
the ability of a corporation to engage in certain "business combinations" (as
defined in Section 203) with an "interested stockholder" (as defined in Section
203).
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Stock is
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general discussion of certain material U.S. federal
income and estate tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Notes (or shares of Common Stock received upon conversion
thereof). This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations, and judicial
decisions and administrative interpretations thereunder, as of the date hereof,
all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or
different interpretations. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences
described herein, and the Company has not obtained, nor does it intend to
obtain, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the U.S.
federal tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of the Notes (or
shares of Common Stock received upon conversion thereof).
This discussion does not purport to address all tax consequences that may
be important to a particular holder in light of the holder's circumstances (such
as the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code), or to certain categories
of investors (such as certain financial institutions, insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities, or persons who hold the Notes
(or shares of Common Stock received upon conversion thereof) as part of a hedge,
conversion transaction, straddle or other risk reduction transaction) that may
be subject to special rules. This discussion is limited to holders who hold the
Notes, or Common Stock into which the Notes are convertible, or both, as capital
assets. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences arising under
the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction.
PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A NOTE SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE ACQUISITION,
OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL CONVERSION OF
THE NOTES INTO SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND THE SUBSEQUENT OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF SUCH COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE EFFECT AND APPLICABILITY OF
STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
U.S. HOLDERS
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a holder of a Note or Common
Stock that is (i) for United States federal income tax purposes, a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject
to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a
trust, the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a
court within the United States and which has one or more United States persons
with authority to control all substantial decisions. As used herein, the term
"Non-U.S. Holder" means a holder of a Note or Common Stock that is not a U.S.
Holder.
Interest on Notes. Interest paid on the Notes will be taxable to a U.S.
Holder as ordinary interest income in accordance with such holder's method of
tax accounting.
Constructive Dividends. If at any time the Company makes a distribution of
property to shareholders that would be taxable to such shareholders as a
dividend for federal income tax purposes and, pursuant to certain conversion
price adjustment provisions of the Indenture, the conversion price of the Notes
is decreased, such decrease may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable
dividend to U.S. Holders of Notes. If the conversion price is decreased at the
discretion of the Company or in certain other circumstances, such decrease also
may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to U.S. Holders of Notes.
If there is not a full adjustment to the conversion price of the Notes to
reflect a stock dividend or other event increasing the proportionate interest of
the holders of Common Stock in the assets or earnings of the Company, then such
increase generally will be treated as a taxable dividend to the holders of
Common Stock. The Company, may, at its option, make such reductions in the
conversion price as the Board of Directors deems advisable to avoid or diminish
any income tax to holders of Common Stock resulting from any stock dividend or
distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as
such for federal income tax purposes.
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<PAGE> 26
Conversion of Notes. A U.S. Holder's conversion of a Note into Common Stock
will generally not be a taxable event (except with respect to cash received in
lieu of a fractional share). A U.S. Holder's basis in the Common Stock received
on conversion of a Note will be the same as the U.S. Holder's basis in the Note
at the time of conversion (exclusive of any tax basis allocable to a fractional
share), and the holding period for the Common Stock received on conversion will
include the holding period of the Note converted. The receipt of cash in lieu of
fractional Common Stock should generally result in capital gain or loss
(measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share
interest and the U.S. holders tax basis in the fractional share interest).
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes. Upon the sale, exchange or
retirement of a Note, including as a result of a tender upon the occurrence of a
Fundamental Change, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the sale or redemption proceeds and the U.S. Holder's
adjusted tax basis in the Note.
A holder's adjusted tax basis in a Note will generally equal the holder's
cost of the Note decreased by any repayments of principal that are received.
Except to the extent of any accrued market discount (as described below), gain
or loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note generally will be
capital gain or loss. For U.S. Holders who are individuals, the gain generally
is taxed (i) at ordinary income tax rates if the Note is held less than 12
months, (ii) at a maximum statutory federal income tax rate of 28% if the Note
is held for more than 12 months but not more than 18 months, and (iii) at a
maximum statutory federal income tax rate of 20% if the Note is held more than
18 months.
Dividends on Shares of Common Stock. Dividends, if any, paid on the Common
Stock generally will be includable in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary
income to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and
profits. Dividends paid to holders that are United States corporations may
qualify for the dividends-received deduction.
To the extent, if any, that a U.S. Holder receives distributions on shares
of Common Stock that would otherwise constitute dividends for United States
federal income tax purposes but that exceed current and accumulated earnings and
profits of the Company, such distributions will be treated first as a
non-taxable return of capital reducing the holder's basis in the shares of
Common Stock. Any such distributions in excess of the holder's basis in the
shares of Common Stock will be treated as capital gain.
Sale of Common Stock. Upon the sale or exchange of Common Stock, U.S.
Holders generally (subject to the market discount rules described below), will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on
such sale or exchange and the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock.
For U.S. Holders who are individuals, the gain is generally taxed (i) at
ordinary income rates if the Common Stock is held for less than 12 months, (ii)
at a maximum statutory federal income rate of 28% if the Common Stock is held
for more than 12 months but not more than 18 months, and (iii) at a maximum
statutory federal income tax rate of 20% if the Common Stock is held more than
18 months. In each case, the holding period of the Common Stock should include
the period for which the related Note was held by the U.S. Holder.
Market Discount. If a U.S. Holder purchases a Note at a market discount,
(i.e., at a price below its face amount), any principal payment or gain realized
on disposition or retirement of the Note will be treated as ordinary income to
the extent of any accrued market discount. Accrued market discount is (a) the
total market discount multiplied by (b) the number of days the Note was held
divided by the total number of days from the date the holder acquired the Note
until its maturity, unless the U.S. Holder irrevocably elects to accrue market
discount under a constant interest method. In addition, any market discount may
be taxable at the time of certain otherwise non-taxable transactions (e.g.,
gifts). However, if the holder elects to include market discount in income
currently as it accrues the interest deferral described above will not apply.
Absent an election to include market discount in income as it accrues, a U.S.
Holder may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense that otherwise
may be deductible on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or
carry the Note until the market discount is taken into income. Any accrued
market discount not previously taken into income should carry over to the Common
Stock and be treated as ordinary income on a subsequent disposition of the
Common Stock to the extent of any gain recognized on such disposition.
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<PAGE> 27
Bond Premium. Generally, U.S. Holders who purchase their Notes at a "bond
premium" may elect to amortize such "bond premium" for federal income tax
purposes. The "bond premium" is generally (i) the excess of the purchase price
of the bond over the amount payable at maturity (or if it results in a smaller
amortizable "bond premium" attributable to the period including an earlier call
date, such excess is determined with reference to the amount payable on the
earlier call date), less (ii) any amount attributable to the conversion feature
as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations. The total amount of the "bond
premium," if any, the portion of such "bond premium' deductible in any given
year, if any, and the treatment of any unamortized "bond premium" at conversion
or redemption, are subject to complex rules that depend, in part, on the facts
and circumstances of the purchase and the purchaser's own situation, as well at
the existence of the conversion feature and call feature of the Notes. Each U.S.
Holder is advised to consult his or her own tax advisor with respect to the
treatment of any "bond premium."
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following discussion is a summary of the principal United States
federal income and estate tax consequences resulting from the ownership of the
Notes or Common Stock by Non-U.S. Holders.
Interest on Notes. Subject to the discussion below of backup withholding,
interest paid on the Notes to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to
United States federal income tax if: (i) such interest is not effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by
such Non-U.S. Holder; (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the total voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company entitled to vote and is not a controlled foreign corporation with
respect to which the Company is a "related person" within the meaning of the
Code (for this purpose, the holder of Notes would be deemed to own
constructively the Common Stock into which it could be converted); and (iii) the
beneficial owner, under penalty of perjury, certifies that the owner is not a
United States person and provides the owner's name and address. If certain
requirements are satisfied, the certification described in clause (iii) above
may be provided by a securities clearing organization, a bank, or other
financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of
its trade or business. Under Treasury Regulations, which generally are effective
for payments made after December 31, 1998, subject to certain transition rules,
the certification described in clause (iii) above may also be provided by a
qualified intermediary on behalf of one or more beneficial owners (or other
intermediaries), provided that such intermediary has entered into a withholding
agreement with the IRS and certain other conditions are met. A holder that is
not exempt from tax under these rules will be subject to United States federal
income tax withholding at a rate of 30% unless the interest is effectively
connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business, in which case
the interest will be subject to the United States federal income tax on net
income that applies to United States persons generally (and, with respect to
corporate holders and under certain circumstances, the branch profits tax).
Non-U.S. Holders should consult applicable income tax treaties, which may
provide different rules.
Conversion of Notes. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to
United States federal income tax on the conversion of a Note into shares of
Common Stock. To the extent a Non-U.S. Holder receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share on conversion, such cash may give rise to gain that would be
subject to the rules described below with respect to the sale or exchange of a
Note or Common Stock.
Dividends. Subject to the discussion below of backup withholding,
dividends, if any, paid on the Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will
be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax, subject to reduction
for Non-U.S. Holders eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties.
Currently, for purposes of determining whether tax is to be withheld at the 30%
rate or at a reduced treaty rate, the Company will ordinarily presume that
dividends paid to an address in a foreign country are paid to a resident of such
country absent knowledge that such presumption is not warranted. Under Treasury
Regulations effective for payments after December 31, 1998, holders will be
required to satisfy certain applicable certification requirements to claim
treaty benefits. Except to the extent otherwise provided under an applicable tax
treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S.
Holder on dividends paid (or deemed paid) that are effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. by the Non-U.S. Holder. If such
Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a
27
<PAGE> 28
United States branch profits tax on such effectively connected income at a 30%
rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Gain on Disposition of the Notes and Common Stock. A Non-U.S. Holder
generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain
realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a Note, including the sale or
exchange of Common Stock unless (i) in the case of an individual Non-U.S.
Holder, such holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
year of such sale, exchange or redemption and either (A) has a "tax home" in the
United States and certain other requirements are met, or (B) the gain from the
disposition is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business in the
United States, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the
provisions of U.S. tax law applicable to certain U.S. expatriates, (iii) the
gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or
business of the Non-U.S. Holder, or (iv) in the case of the disposition of
Common Stock, the Company is a U.S. real property holding corporation. The
Company has not determined whether it is a U.S. real property holding
corporation. If the Company is or becomes a U.S. real property holding
corporation, so long as the Common Stock continues to be regularly traded on an
established securities market, only a Non-U.S. Holder who actually or
constructively owns or owned (at any time during the shorter of the five year
period preceding the date of disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder's holding
period) more than five percent of the Common Stock will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on the disposition of the Common Stock. Any Non-U.S. Holder
that may approach or exceed 5% ownership, either alone or in conjunction with
related persons, should consult its own tax advisor concerning the United States
tax consequences that may result.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax. A Note held by an individual who at the time of
death is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined
for United States federal estate tax purposes) will not be subject to United
States federal estate tax if the individual did not actually or constructively
own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company and, at the time of the individual's death, payments with respect to
such Note would not have been effectively connected with the conduct by such
individual of a trade or business in the United States. Common Stock held by an
individual who at the time of death is not a citizen or resident of the United
States (as specially defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) will
be included in such individual's estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes,
unless an applicable estate tax treaty otherwise applies.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
U.S. Holders. A U.S. Holder of Notes or Common Stock may be subject to
"backup withholding" at a rate of 31% with respect to certain "reportable
payments," including interest payments, dividend payments and, under certain
circumstances, principal payments on the Notes. These backup withholding rules
apply if the U.S. Holder, among other things, (i) fails to furnish a social
security number or other taxpayer identification number ("TIN") certified under
penalties of perjury within a reasonable time after the request therefor, (ii)
furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to report properly interest or dividends
or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to provide a certified statement,
signed under penalties of perjury, that the TIN furnished is the correct number
and that such U.S. Holder is not subject to backup withholding. A U.S. Holder
who does not provide the Company with its correct TIN may also be subject to
penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount withheld from a payment to a holder
under the backup withholding rules is creditable against the holder's federal
income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to
the IRS. Backup withholding will not apply, however, with respect to payments
made to certain U.S. Holders, including corporations and tax-exempt
organizations, provided their exemption from backup withholdings is properly
established. The Company will report to U.S. Holders of Notes and Common Stock
and to the IRS the amount of any "reportable payments" for each calendar year
and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect to such payments.
Non-U.S. Holders. The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each
Non-U.S. Holder the amount of any dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with
respect to, such holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld.
Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the
provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the
country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.
28
<PAGE> 29
Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments of principal on the Notes by the Company or
any agent thereof to a Non-U.S. Holder if the Non-U.S. Holder certifies as to
its Non-U.S. Holder status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes
an exemption (provided that neither the Company nor its agent has actual
knowledge that the holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other
exemptions are not in fact satisfied). The payment of the proceeds on the
disposition of Notes or shares of Common Stock to or through the United States
office of a United States or foreign broker will be subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the owner provides the certification
described above or otherwise establishes an exemption. The proceeds of the
disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of Notes or shares of Common Stock to or
through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup
withholding or information reporting. However, if such broker is a U.S. person,
a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes, or a foreign
person, 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for certain periods
is from activities that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business,
information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply
unless such broker has documentary evidence in its files of the holder's
Non-U.S. status and has no actual knowledge to the contrary or unless the holder
otherwise establishes an exemption.
Recently finalized Treasury Regulations (the "New Regulations") would
modify the application of information reporting requirements and the backup
withholding tax requirements applicable to Non-U.S. Holders for reportable
payments made after December 31, 1998. In general, the New Regulations do not
significantly alter the current substantive withholding and information
reporting requirements but unify current certification procedures and forms and
clarify reliance standards. Under the New Regulations, special rules apply which
permit the shifting of primary responsibility for withholding to certain
financial intermediaries acting on behalf of beneficial owners. A holder of a
Note or Common Stock that is received upon the conversion of a Note should
consult with its tax advisor regarding the application of the backup withholding
rules to its particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom,
the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available, and the impact of
the New Regulations on payments made with respect to the Notes or shares of
Common Stock received upon the conversion of the Notes after December 31, 1998.
29
<PAGE> 30
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The Notes were originally acquired from the Company by the Initial
Purchasers on March 13, 1998. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company
that the Initial Purchasers have resold the Notes in transactions exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act to (i) "qualified
institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act) in
reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (ii) institutional
"accredited investors" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act.
The Selling Securityholders named herein have advised the Company that they
currently intend to sell the Notes and Shares set forth below pursuant to this
Prospectus. Additional Selling Securityholders may choose to sell the Notes and
Shares from time to time upon notice to the Company. See "Plan of Distribution."
Prior to any use of this Prospectus in connection with an offering of the
Notes and Shares, and promptly after the receipt by the Company of certain
information from the Selling Securityholder intending to sell such Notes and
Shares, this Prospectus will be supplemented to set forth the number of Notes
and Shares beneficially owned by such Selling Securityholder and the number of
Notes and Shares to be offered. The Prospectus Supplement will also disclose
whether any Selling Securityholder selling in connection with such Prospectus
Supplement has held any position, office or other material relationship with the
Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates during the three years prior to
the date of the Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of the
Notes -- Registration Rights."
The following table sets forth the name of each Selling Securityholder who
has provided the Company with notice as of the date of this Prospectus pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement of such Selling Securityholder's intent to
sell or otherwise dispose of Notes and/or Shares pursuant to the registration
statement, the principal amount of Notes and Shares beneficially owned by such
Selling Securityholder as of the date of this Prospectus and the principal
amount of Notes and/or number of Shares to be sold by such Selling
Securityholder pursuant to the registration statement. Because the Selling
Securityholders may offer all or some portion of the Notes and Shares, no
estimate can be given as to the percentage of Notes or Common Stock that will be
held by the Selling Securityholders upon termination of sales pursuant to this
Prospectus. In addition, the Selling Securityholders identified below may have
sold, transferred or disposed of all or a portion of their Notes since the date
on which they provided the information regarding their holdings in transactions
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF
OF NOTES SHARES OF NOTES SHARES
NAME OF BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY TO BE TO BE
SELLING STOCKHOLDER OWNED OWNED(1) SOLD(2) SOLD(2)
------------------- ---------------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Concordia Retirement Plan of the $1,900,000 39,415 $1,900,000 --
Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod
Shepherd Investments International 10,875,000 225,603 10,875,000 --
Ltd. .............................
Deutsche Bank A.G. ................. 15,875,000 329,329 15,875,000 --
Hamilton Partners Limited........... 2,000,000 41,490 2,000,000 --
BNP Arbitrage SNC................... 2,000,000 41,490 2,000,000 --
Susquehanna Capital Group........... 12,295,000 255,061 12,295,000 --
Paloma Securities L.L.C............. 8,800,000 182,557 8,800,000 --
Silverton International Fund 4,200,000 87,129 4,200,000 --
Limited...........................
CFW-C, L.P.......................... 2,000,000 41,490 2,000,000 --
AAM/Zazove Institutional Income 3,000,000 62,235 3,000,000 --
Fund, L.P.........................
Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 150,000 3,111 150,000 --
Company...........................
Chrysler Insurance Company 30,000 622 30,000 --
Total Return......................
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE> 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF
OF NOTES SHARES OF NOTES SHARES
NAME OF BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY TO BE TO BE
SELLING STOCKHOLDER OWNED OWNED(1) SOLD(2) SOLD(2)
------------------- ---------------- ------------ ---------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Century National Insurance 650,000 13,484 650,000 --
Company...........................
Argent Convertible Arbitrage Fund 250,000 5,186 250,000 --
Ltd...............................
The Class IC Company, Ltd........... 500,000 10,372 500,000 --
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage 15,000,000 311,177 15,000,000 --
Fund (Bermuda) L.P................
McMahan Securities Company, L.P..... 730,000 15,143 730,000 --
LDG Limited......................... 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
Fidelity Financial Trust: Fidelity 4,000,000 82,980 4,000,000 --
Convertible Securities Fund(3)....
TQA Arbitrage Fund, L.P............. 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
TQA Leverage Fund, L.P.............. 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
TQA Vantage Fund, Ltd............... 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
TQA Vantage Plus Fund, Ltd.......... 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
Highbridge Capital Corporation...... 2,675,000 55,493 2,675,000 --
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities... 5,000,000 103,725 5,000,000 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
(2) Because a Selling Securityholder may sell all or a portion of the Notes and
the Shares pursuant to this Prospectus, no estimate can be given as to the
number and percentages of Notes or Shares that will be held by the Selling
Securityholder upon termination of any such sales.
(3) The entity is either an investment company or a portfolio of an investment
company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, or a private investment account advised by Fidelity Management &
Research Company ("FMR Co."). FMR Co. is a Massachusetts corporation and an
investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors
Act of 1940, as amended, and provides investment advisory services to each
of such Fidelity entities identified above, and to other registered
investment companies and to certain other funds which are generally offered
to a limited group of investors. FMR Co. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR
Corp., a Massachusetts corporation.
None of the Selling Securityholders named above have, within the past three
years, held any position, office or other material relationship with the Company
or any of its predecessors or affiliates, except as noted above.
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<PAGE> 32
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Notes and the Shares are being registered to permit public secondary
trading of such securities by the holders thereof from time to time after the
date of this Prospectus. The Company has agreed, among other things, to bear all
expenses in connection with the registration and sale of the Notes and the
Shares covered by this Prospectus. The Company will not receive any of the
proceeds from the offering of Notes and the Shares by the Selling
Securityholders.
Notes and Shares offered hereby may be sold from time to time directly by
any Selling Securityholder or, alternatively, through underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents. If Notes or Shares are sold through underwriters or
broker-dealers, the Selling Securityholder will be responsible for underwriting
discounts or commissions or agent's commissions. Such Notes or Shares may be
sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at
the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at
negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve
crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange or
quotation service on which the Notes or Shares may be listed or quoted at the
time of sale, (ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions
otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market,
or (iv) through the writing of options. In connection with sales of the Notes or
Shares or otherwise, any Selling Securityholder may enter into hedging
transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
Notes or Shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume. Any Selling
Securityholder may also sell short and deliver Notes or Shares to close out such
short positions, or loan or pledge Notes or Shares to broker-dealers that in
turn may sell such securities.
The outstanding Common Stock is publicly traded on the NYSE and the Shares
have been approved for listing upon official notice of issuance. The Initial
Purchasers have advised the Company that they are currently making and currently
intend to continue making a market in the Notes; however, they are not obligated
to do so and any such market-making may be discontinued at any time without
notice, in the sole discretion of the Initial Purchasers. The Company does not
intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any securities exchange.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or any trading
market for, the Notes.
The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealers or agents that
participate with the Selling Securityholders in the distribution of the Notes or
the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, in which event any commissions received by such broker-dealer or
agents and any profits realized by the Selling Securityholders on the resales of
the Notes or the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
In addition, any securities covered by this Prospectus which qualify for
sale pursuant to Rule 144, Rule 144A or any other available exemption from
registration under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144, Rule 144A or
such other available exemption rather than pursuant to this Prospectus. There is
no assurance that any Selling Securityholder will sell any or all of the Notes
or the Shares described herein, and any Selling Securityholder may transfer,
devise or gift such securities by other means not described herein.
The Notes were originally sold by the Company to the Initial Purchasers in
March 1998 in a private placement. The Registration Rights Agreement provides
for the Company and Selling Securityholders to indemnify each other against
certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act that
could arise in connection with the resale of the Notes by the Initial
Purchasers.
The Company has agreed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to use
its best efforts to cause the registration statement to which this Prospectus
relates to become effective as promptly as practicable and to keep the
registration statement effective until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to
the registration statement of all the securities registered thereunder and (ii)
the expiration of the holding period applicable to such securities pursuant to
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision. The
Registration Rights Agreement provides that the Company may suspend the use of
this Prospectus in connection with the sales of Notes and Shares by Selling
Securityholders, for a period not to exceed 30 days in any three-month period,
or not to exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any 12-month period, under certain
circumstances relating to pending corporate developments, public filings with
the Commission and similar events. Expenses of
32
<PAGE> 33
preparing and filing the registration statement and all post-effective
amendments will be born by the Company.
Certain of the Initial Purchasers have engaged in transactions with and
performed various investment banking and other services for the Company in the
past, and may do so from time to time in the future.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Notes and the Shares offered hereby will be passed upon
for the Company by Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a Professional Corporation,
Newport Beach, California.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of CKE Restaurants, Inc. and its
subsidiaries as of January 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended January 31, 1998, incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January
31, 1998 have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The combined financial statements of Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996 incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
July 15, 1997 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors,
as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information filed with the Commission by the Company can be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices
located at 500 West Madison Street, Room 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at 7
World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, or on the world
wide web at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of other materials concerning the Company
can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Notes and Shares offered
hereby. This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement,
does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain items of which are contained in exhibits to the Registration Statement
as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Notes and the Shares offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits
thereto, which may be inspected without charge at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the Regional Offices of the Commission, and copies of which
may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates. Statements made in this
Prospectus concerning the contents of any document referred to herein are not
necessarily complete. With respect to each such document filed with the
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to the
exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such
statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.
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