Real Good Food Company, Inc. false 0001871149 --12-31 0001871149 2024-09-20 2024-09-20

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 20, 2024

 

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-41025   87-1280343

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

(Address of Principal Executive Offices; Zip Code)

(856) 644-5624

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange

on which Registered

Class A common stock $0.0001 par value per share   RGF   Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

PMC Amendment

On September 20, 2024, Real Good Foods, LLC (the “Borrower”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Real Good Food Company, Inc. (“Holdings,” and together with the Borrower, the “Company”), entered into an Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement (“PMC Loan Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (“PMC Subordinated Loan Agreement”) with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”). The PMC Loan Agreement and PMC Subordinated Loan Agreement restate the original loan agreement with the Borrower dated June 30, 2016, as subsequently amended (the “Existing Facility”).

The PMC Loan Agreement consolidates the existing revolving and equipment loans the Company has with PMC under the Existing Facility into one new loan in an aggregate principal amount of $52,986,153 (the “PMC Consolidated Loan”) (subsequent to the paydown of approximately $8.0 million in connection with the Emblem Transaction described below). Additionally, the PMC Subordinated Loan Agreement combines the existing $90.0 million term loan between the Company and PMC under the Existing Facility, with all accrued and unpaid interest to date into one new term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $100,543,575 (“PMC Term Loan”).

Each of the PMC Consolidated Loan and the PMC Term Loan mature on December 31, 2026, provided that (i) if $50 million, as may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms of the PMC Loan Agreement, of the PMC Consolidated Loan is paid down prior to December 31, 2026, the maturity date of the PMC Consolidated Loan and the maturity date of the PMC Term Loan shall be automatically extended to September 20, 2029, or (ii) if, on or prior to March 20, 2025, Holdings’ board of directors and shareholders do not approve of the issuance of Holdings’ equity equal to at least 49.99% of its outstanding fully diluted equity (as described below under “A&R LLC Agreement and Exchange Agreement”), both the PMC Consolidated Loan and the PMC Term Loan will mature on March 20, 2025.

The PMC Consolidated Loan and PMC Term Loan are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company, including the equity of the Borrower, and are guaranteed by Holdings.

The PMC Consolidated Loan shall bear interest at an annual rate of 15%, to be paid in-kind, and the PMC Term Loan shall bear interest at an annual rate of 18%, to be paid in-kind.

Emblem Transaction

On September 20, 2024, the Borrower entered into a Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement (the “Emblem Loan Agreement”) with affiliates of Emblem Investments Fund I, LP (“Emblem”). The Emblem Loan Agreement provides for a super-priority loan facility consisting of a term loan in a principal amount of $60.0 million (the “Emblem Term Loan”). The proceeds of the Emblem Term Loan will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, as well as the payment of fees and expenses of approximately $5.0 million incurred in connection with the Emblem Loan Agreement, in addition to the paydown of approximately $8.0 million under the Company’s existing revolving and equipment loans under the Existing Facility with PMC.

The Emblem Term Loan matures on September 20, 2029, subject to the following conditions: (i) the paydown of the PMC Consolidated Loan on or prior to December 31, 2026 (unless extended by PMC); and (ii) on or prior to March 20, 2025, Holdings’ board of directors and shareholders approve of the issuance of Holdings’ equity equal to at least 49.99% of its outstanding fully diluted equity (as described below under “A&R LLC Agreement and Exchange Agreement”). Should the condition in clause (i) not be achieved, the Emblem Term Loan will mature on December 31, 2026. Should the condition in clause (ii) not be achieved, the Emblem Term Loan will mature on March 20, 2025.

The Emblem Term Loan bears interest at an annual rate of 15%, to be paid in-kind. Should certain additional loans be made subsequent to the Emblem Term Loan, the Emblem Term Loan will then bear interest at an annual rate of 8%, to be paid in cash, and 7%, to be paid in-kind.

The Emblem Term Loan is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company, including the equity of the Borrower, and is guaranteed by Holdings.

In connection with the terms of the Emblem Term Loan, the Company must first receive Emblem’s approval before entering into additional any debt agreements with non-affiliates of Emblem. The consequences of non-compliance with this requirement would result in a dollar-for-dollar prepayment of the Emblem Term Loan. Additionally, both the acquisition of assets outside the ordinary course of business, as well as capital expenditures over $250,000, would require Emblem’s prior approval.

Any voluntary or mandatory prepayment of the Emblem Term Loan at any time will be the greater of (i) 2.0 times the initial $60.0 million or (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest at the date of repayment.


A&R LLC Agreement and Exchange Agreement

In connection with the PMC Loan Agreement, PMC Subordinated Loan Agreement and Emblem Loan Agreement, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement, dated September 20, 2024, with Emblem and PMC (the “Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to Emblem a new class of units of the Borrower, namely, Class C units (“Class C Units”), which are immediately exchangeable, subject to certain lock-up conditions, into shares of Class A common stock of Holdings equal to 19.99% of the outstanding fully diluted equity of Holdings. The Class C Units are governed by the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Borrower, dated September 20, 2024 (the “A&R LLC Agreement”), which was approved by Holdings’ board of directors on September 20, 2024. Additionally, upon approval of Holdings’ shareholders and the disbursement of an additional $50.0 million loan by Emblem at its option, the Company has agreed to issue to Emblem additional Class C Units and shares of Class B common stock of Holdings, which are exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock of Holdings that will make Emblem the owner of 49.99% of the outstanding fully diluted equity of Holdings. The Exchange Agreement requires the Company to file a proxy statement within 30 days of the date of the Exchange Agreement relating to a special meeting necessary to obtain the above-referenced approval of Holdings’ shareholders. Further, the Exchange Agreement provides that PMC has the right to require the Company issue to PMC Class C Units and shares Class B common stock equal to 25% of the outstanding fully diluted equity of Holdings, subject to any necessary shareholder approval. The Company will not be required to issue Class C Units and shares of Class B common stock to PMC to the extent such issuance would cause PMC to hold greater than 25% of the outstanding fully diluted equity of the Company.

The foregoing summaries of the A&R LLC Agreement, PMC Loan Agreement, PMC Subordinated Loan Agreement, Emblem Loan Agreement and Exchange Agreement are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the full text thereof, which are filed as, as applicable, Exhibits 10.1 to 10.6 to this current report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The disclosure in Item 1.01 regarding the PMC Consolidated Loan, the PMC Term Loan and the Emblem Term Loan are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure in Item 1.01 regarding the issuance of the Class C Units is incorporated herein by reference. The Class C Units and underlying Class A common stock will be issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

The disclosure in Item 1.01 regarding the A&R LLC Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, on September 20, 2024, the board of directors of Holdings approved the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement (“A&R Tax Receivable Agreement”), which modified the terms of the original Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021, to allow for the participating members to be extended to any Class C Unit holders and to replace Bryan Freeman as the representative with a designee of Emblem. The foregoing summary of the A&R Tax Receivable Agreement is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text thereof, which is filed as Exhibit 10.7 to this current report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 26, 2024, the Company issued a press release reporting the transactions reported in this current report on Form 8-K, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in those filings.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.1    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024.
10.2    Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024, by and between Real Good Foods, LLC, and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.(1)
10.3    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024, by and between Real Good Foods, LLC, and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.(1)
10.4    Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024, by and between Real Good Foods, LLC, and Emblem Investments Fund I, LP.(1)
10.5    Schedule to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024, by and between Real Good Foods, LLC, and Emblem Investments Fund I, LP.
10.6    Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024, between Real Good Foods, LLC, Emblem Investments Fund I, LP and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.
10.7    Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024, between The Real Good Company, Inc. and each of the persons from time to time party thereto.
99.1    Press Release, dated September 26, 2024.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XRBL document).

 

(1)

Certain schedules (or other attachments) to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
Date: September 26, 2024     By:  

/s/ Tim Zimmer

      Tim Zimmer
      Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

Dated as of September 20, 2024

THE UNITS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

CERTAIN UNITS MAY ALSO BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH HEREIN AND/OR IN A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH THE INITIAL HOLDER OF SUCH UNITS. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER OF SUCH UNITS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY AND WITHOUT CHARGE.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2  

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     9  

Section 2.1

  Formation of LLC      9  

Section 2.2

  Limited Liability Company Agreement      10  

Section 2.3

  Name      10  

Section 2.4

  Purpose      10  

Section 2.5

  Principal Office; Registered Office      10  

Section 2.6

  Term      10  

Section 2.7

  No State-Law Partnership      10  

ARTICLE III UNITS, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS

     11  

Section 3.1

  Units; Capitalization      11  

Section 3.2

  Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units      13  

Section 3.3

  [RESERVED]      16  

Section 3.4

  Changes in Common Stock      16  

Section 3.5

  Capital Accounts      17  

Section 3.6

  Negative Capital Accounts; No Interest Regarding Positive Capital Accounts      18  

Section 3.7

  No Withdrawal      18  

Section 3.8

  Loans From Unitholders      18  

Section 3.9

  Adjustments to Capital Accounts for Distributions In-Kind      18  

Section 3.10

  Transfer of Capital Accounts      18  

Section 3.11

  Adjustments to Book Value      19  

Section 3.12

  Compliance With Section 1.704-1(b)      19  

ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

     19  

Section 4.1

  Distributions      19  

Section 4.2

  Allocations      20  

Section 4.3

  Special Allocations      21  

Section 4.4

  Offsetting Allocations      22  

Section 4.5

  Tax Allocations      22  

Section 4.6

  Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Unitholder      23  

ARTICLE V MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS

     24  

Section 5.1

  Management      24  

Section 5.2

  Investment Company Act      25  

Section 5.3

  Officers      25  

Section 5.4

  Fiduciary Duties      26  

ARTICLE VI EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

     27  

Section 6.1

  Exculpation      27  

Section 6.2

  Indemnification      28  

 

i


Section 6.3

  Expenses      28  

Section 6.4

  Non-Exclusivity; Savings Clause      29  

Section 6.5

  Insurance      29  

ARTICLE VII ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS

     29  

Section 7.1

  Accounting and Records      29  

Section 7.2

  Preparation of Tax Returns      29  

Section 7.3

  Tax Elections      29  

Section 7.4

  Tax Controversies      29  

Section 7.5

  Tax Cooperation      30  

Section 7.6

  Code § 83 Safe Harbor Election      31  

ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF UNITS; ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS

     32  

Section 8.1

  Transfer of Units      32  

Section 8.2

  Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members      32  

Section 8.3

  Expense of Transfer; Indemnification      34  

Section 8.4

  2021 Exchange Agreement      34  

Section 8.5

  2024 Exchange Agreement      34  

Section 8.6

  Tax Corporation.      35  

ARTICLE IX WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF UNITHOLDERS

     36  

Section 9.1

  Withdrawal and Resignation of Unitholders      36  

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

     36  

Section 10.1

  Dissolution      36  

Section 10.2

  Liquidation and Termination      36  

Section 10.3

  Securityholders Agreement      37  

Section 10.4

  Cancellation of Certificate      37  

Section 10.5

  Reasonable Time for Winding Up      37  

Section 10.6

  Return of Capital      38  

Section 10.7

  Hart-Scott-Rodino      38  

ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS

     38  

Section 11.1

  Power of Attorney      38  

Section 11.2

  Amendments      38  

Section 11.3

  Title to the Company Assets      39  

Section 11.4

  Remedies      39  

Section 11.5

  Successors and Assigns      39  

Section 11.6

  Severability      39  

Section 11.7

  Counterparts; Binding Agreement      39  

Section 11.8

  Descriptive Headings; Interpretation      40  

Section 11.9

  Applicable Law      40  

Section 11.10

  Addresses and Notices      40  

Section 11.11

  Creditors      40  

Section 11.12

  No Waiver      41  

Section 11.13

  Further Action      41  

Section 11.14

  Entire Agreement      41  

 

ii


Section 11.15

  Delivery by Electronic Means      41  

Section 11.16

  Certain Acknowledgments      41  

Section 11.17

  Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury      42  

Section 11.18

  Representations and Warranties      42  

Section 11.19

  Tax Receivable Agreement      43  

 

iii


REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is entered into as of September 20, 2024, by and among the Company, The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as the Managing Member, and the Members set forth herein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article I.

WHEREAS, (i) the Certificate was filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 4, 2021 pursuant to a conversion of The Real Good Food Company LLC, a California limited liability company, to the Company and (ii) the Managing Member, the Members and the Company entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated November 4, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company entering into that certain Super Priority Loan and Security Agreement (the “Emblem Loan Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, Emblem-RGF Main LLC (“Emblem Main”), Emblem-RGF Blocker Inc. (“Emblem Blocker”) and Emblem-RGF Executive LLC (“Emblem Executive” and together with Emblem Main and Emblem Blocker, the “Emblem Parties”) and the initial funding of certain amounts in connection therewith (the “Emblem Loan Transaction”) and the amendment and restatement of certain loan documents by and between the Company and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”) and subject to the terms of that certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024, by and between the Company, the Emblem Parties and PMC (the “2024 Exchange Agreement”), the Company and the Corporation shall from time to time issue the Emblem Parties Class C Units in the amounts set forth in Exhibit A (the “Initial Issuance”), which may be exchanged for Class A Common Stock of equivalent value, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement;

WHEREAS, contingent upon the triggering of the second step of the Emblem Loan Transaction and the Emblem Parties funding additional amounts pursuant to the Emblem Loan Agreement, and subject to the terms of the 2024 Exchange Agreement and approval of the Corporation’s shareholders, the Company and the Corporation will issue the Emblem Parties a number of Class C Units which, when aggregated with the Class C Units issued to the Emblem Parties at the Initial Issuance, represent a total of 49.99% of the greater of (x) the Units of the Company, on fully diluted basis, as of the date hereof and (y) the Units of the Company, on a fully diluted basis, as of the date of the Second Step Issuance (as defined in the 2024 Exchange Agreement) which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of equivalent value, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement;

WHEREAS, in the event that PMC exercises its right to require the Corporation to hold a vote of its stockholders approving the issuance of Class C Units to PMC, upon the Corporation receiving the approval of its stockholders, the Company will issue to PMC a number of Class C Units such that following such issuance, PMC will hold Class C Units which represent 25% of the Units of the Company, on a fully diluted basis, which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of equivalent value on the terms and conditions set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement (the “PMC Issuance”), and Exhibit A will be updated to reflect such PMC Issuance; and


WHEREAS, the Managing Member, the Members and the Company desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety to, among other things, authorize and provide for the issuance of the Class C Units and admit the Emblem Parties and PMC to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Members, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the following meaning:

2021 Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021, by and among the Corporation, the Company and certain of the Members party thereto, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, or replaced from time to time.

2024 Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Additional Member” means a Person admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 8.2.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Capital Account as of the end of any Taxable Year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Person’s Capital Account balance shall be (i) reduced for any items described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), and (6), and (ii) increased for any amount such Person is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i) (relating to Minimum Gain).

Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person, and in the case of any Unitholder that is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation or similar entity, any partner, member or stockholder of such Unitholder; provided, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Unitholder. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise).

Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as it may be amended, modified and/or waived from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

2


Assumed Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Unitholder for any Fiscal Quarter or portion thereof beginning after the date hereof, an amount which, in the good faith estimation of the Managing Member, equals the product of (a) the amount of taxable income of the Company allocable to such Unitholder in respect of such Fiscal Quarter or portion thereof (which shall include gross or net income allocations of items of Profit or Loss), determined (x) by including adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 704(c) of the Code, (y) excluding adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 743(b) of the Code, and (z) reducing such taxable income by net taxable losses of the Company allocated to such Unitholder for prior taxable periods beginning after the date of the Prior Agreement to the extent that such losses are of a character (ordinary or capital) that would permit the losses to be deducted by such Unitholder against the current taxable income of the Company allocable to the Unitholder for such Fiscal Quarter and have not previously been taken into account in determining such Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability, multiplied by (b) the Assumed Tax Rate. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, without the prior written consent of Emblem Main and PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time), in no event will the Assumed Tax Liability of the Corporation (when aggregated with the Assumed Tax Liability of any entities included in the U.S. federal income tax consolidated group that includes the Corporation) be more than the amount required to pay the actual income Tax liabilities of such consolidated group.

Assumed Tax Rate” means the combined maximum U.S. federal, state, and local income tax rate applicable to a taxable individual or corporation in any jurisdiction in the United States (whichever is highest), including pursuant to Section 1411 of the Code, in each case taking into account all jurisdictions in which the Company is required to file income tax returns and the relevant apportionment information, in effect for the applicable Fiscal Quarter (making an appropriate adjustment for any rate changes that take place during such period and taking into account the character of the income).

Base Rate” means, as of any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.

Book Value” means, with respect to any of the Company property, the Company’s adjusted basis for federal income Tax purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted (in the case of permitted adjustments, to the extent the Company makes such permitted adjustments) by Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)-(g).

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the banks in New York, New York or Cherry Hill, New Jersey are authorized by law to be closed.

Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member pursuant to Section 3.5 and the other applicable provisions of this Agreement.

Capital Contributions” means any cash, cash equivalents, promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property which a Unitholder contributes or is deemed by the Managing Member to have contributed to the Company with respect to any Unit pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.10.

 

3


Cash Payment” means (1) with respect to the Class A Units, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement, or (2) with respect to the Class C Units, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Certificate” means the Company’s Certificate of Conversion as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class A Common Stock Value” means (1) with respect to the Class A Units, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement, or (2) with respect to the Class C Units, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Class A Unit” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Class A Unit in this Agreement.

Class B Unit” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Class B Unit in this Agreement.

Class C Unit” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Class C Unit in this Agreement.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Conversion Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto.

Convertible Notes” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto.

Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Delaware Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. L. § 18-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

Distribution” means each distribution made by the Company to a Unitholder, with respect to such Person’s Units, whether in cash, property or securities and whether by liquidating distribution, redemption, repurchase or otherwise; provided that notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, none of the following shall be deemed to be a Distribution hereunder: (i) any recapitalization, exchange or conversion of securities of the Company, and any subdivision (by unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units; and (ii) any repurchase of Units pursuant to any right of first refusal or similar repurchase right in favor of the Company.

 

4


Emblem Blocker” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Emblem Executive” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Emblem Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Emblem Loan Transaction” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Emblem Main” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Emblem Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Equity Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

Equity Securities” means (i) any Units, capital stock, partnership, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests (including other classes, groups or series thereof having such relative rights, powers and/or obligations as may from time to time be established by the Managing Member, including rights, powers and/or duties different from, senior to or more favorable than existing classes, groups and series of Units, capital stock, partnership, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests, and including any profits interests), (ii) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into Units, capital stock, partnership interests, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests, and (iii) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Units, capital stock, partnership interests, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the term “Equity Securities” refers to Equity Securities of the Company.

Event of Withdrawal” means the death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company.

Exchange” means, (i) with respect to a Class A Unit, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement and (ii) with respect to a Class C Unit, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.

Exchange Rate” has, (1) with respect to the Class A Units and Class B Units, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement and (2) with respect to the Class C Units, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Exchangeable Unit” has, (1) with respect to the Class A Units and Class B Units, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement and (2) with respect to the Class C Units, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

 

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Exchanged Unit Amount” has (1) with respect to the Class A Units and Class B Units, the meaning set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement and (2) with respect to the Class C Units, the meaning set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date of determination, (i) with respect to a Unit, such Unit’s Pro Rata Share as of such date, (ii) with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock, the Class A Common Stock Value as of such date, and (iii) with respect to any other non-cash assets, the fair market value for such property as between a willing buyer under no compulsion to buy and a willing seller under no compulsion to sell in an arm’s-length transaction occurring on such date, taking into account all relevant factors determinative of value (including in the case of securities, any restrictions on transfer applicable thereto or, if such securities are traded on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, the quoted price for such securities as of the date of determination), as reasonably determined in good faith by the Managing Member.

Fidelity Class A Investors” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto. “Fidelity Class B Members” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto.

Fiscal Period” means any interim accounting period within a Taxable Year established by the Managing Member and which is permitted or required by Code Section 706.

Fiscal Quarter” means each calendar quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, or such other quarterly accounting period as may be established by the Managing Member or as required by the Code.

Fiscal Year” means the 12-month period ending on December 31, or such other annual accounting period as may be established by the Managing Member or as may be required by the Code.

Forfeiture Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Governmental Entity” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government.

HSR Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.7.

Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

IRS Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.

Liquidation Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).

Liquidation FMV” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).

Liquidation Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).

 

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Losses” means items of the Company loss and deduction determined according to Section 3.5.

Managing Member” means (i) the Corporation so long as the Corporation has not withdrawn as the Managing Member pursuant to Section 5.1(c), and (ii) any successor thereof appointed as Managing Member in accordance with Section 5.1(c). Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Managing Member shall refer to the Managing Member acting in its capacity as such.

Member” means each Person listed on the Unit Ownership Ledger and any Person admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; but in each case only for so long as such Person is shown on the Company’s books and records as the owner of one or more Units.

Minimum Gain” means the partnership minimum gain determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).

Notes” means any future non-convertible debt securities issued by the Corporation.

Note Payments” means payments of principal, interest or other premiums pursuant to any Notes.

Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Partnership Tax Audit Rules” means Code Sections 6221 through 6241, as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, together with any guidance issued thereunder or successor provisions and any similar provision of state or local Tax laws.

Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any of such Person’s Affiliates, and (ii) such Person’s spouse, any lineal ascendants or descendants or trusts or other entities in which such Member or Member’s spouse, lineal ascendants or descendants hold (and continue to hold while such trusts or other entities hold Class B Units or Class C Units) 50% or more of such entity’s beneficial interests.

Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a Governmental Entity.

PMC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

PR” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a).

Prior Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Pro Rata Share” means with respect to each Unit, the proportionate amount such Unit would receive if an amount equal to the Total Equity Value were distributed to all Units in accordance with Section 4.1(b), as determined in good faith by the Managing Member.

 

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Profits” means items of the Company income and gain determined according to Section 3.5.

Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021, by and among the Corporation and certain other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, or replaced from time to time.

Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(e).

Reorganization” has the meaning set forth in the IPO Registration Statement.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof and without limitation, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the manager, managing member, managing director (or a board comprised of any of the foregoing) or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

Substituted Member” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 8.2.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, excise, natural resources, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profit, environmental, customs, duties, real property, personal property, capital stock, social security, unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee or other withholding, or other tax, of any kind whatsoever, including any transferee liability and any interest, penalties or additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

Tax Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).

 

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Tax Distribution Conditions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).

Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of November 4, 2021, by and among the Corporation, the Company and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, or replaced from time to time.

Taxable Year” means the Company’s accounting period for federal income Tax purposes determined pursuant to Section 7.3.

Total Equity Value” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate proceeds which would be received by the Unitholders if: (i) the assets of the Company were sold at their fair market value to an independent third-party on arm’s-length terms, with neither the seller nor the buyer being under compulsion to buy or sell such assets; (ii) the Company satisfied and paid in full all of its obligations and liabilities (including all Taxes, costs and expenses incurred in connection with such transaction and any amounts reserved by the Managing Member with respect to any contingent or other liabilities); and (iii) such net sale proceeds were then distributed in accordance with Section 4.1, all as determined by the Managing Member in good faith based upon the Class A Common Stock Value as of such date.

Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the 2021 Exchange Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

Treasury Regulations” means the income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code and effective as of the date of this Agreement, any future amendments to such regulations, and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations.

Unit” means a limited liability company interest in the Company of a Member or representing a fractional part of the interests in Profits, Losses and Distributions of the Company held by all Members and shall include Class A Units, Class B Units and Class C Units.

Unit Ownership Ledger” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

Unitholder” means any owner of one or more Units as reflected on the Company’s books and records.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

Section 2.1 Formation of LLC. The Company was formed in the State of Delaware on November 4, 2021 pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act as a result of the conversion effected by the Certificate.

 

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Section 2.2 Limited Liability Company Agreement. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Act. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in Section 2.6, the rights, powers and obligations of the Unitholders with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, except where the Delaware Act provides that such rights, powers and obligations specified in the Delaware Act shall apply “unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement” or words of similar effect and such rights, powers and obligations are set forth in this Agreement, the Delaware Act; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing and anything else to the contrary, Section 18-210 of the Delaware Act (entitled “Contractual Appraisal Rights”) and Section 18-305(a) of the Delaware Act (entitled “Access to and Confidentiality of Information; Records”) shall not apply to or be incorporated into this Agreement and each Unitholder hereby expressly waives any and all rights under such Sections of the Delaware Act.

Section 2.3 Name. The name of the Company shall be “Real Good Foods, LLC”. The Managing Member may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Notification of any such name change shall be given to all Unitholders. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Managing Member.

Section 2.4 Purpose. The purpose and business of the Company shall be to manage and direct the business operations and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to engage in any other lawful acts or activities for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Delaware Act.

Section 2.5 Principal Office; Registered Office. The principal office of the Company shall be located at 3 Executive Campus, Suite 155, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, or at such other place inside or outside the state of Delaware as the Managing Member may from time to time designate, and all business and activities of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred at its principal office. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places as the Managing Member deems advisable. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Managing Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable law, and the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be the registered agent named in the Certificate or such Person or Persons as the Managing Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable law.

Section 2.6 Term. The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Certificate with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the Company shall be terminated and dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Article X.

Section 2.7 No State-Law Partnership. The Unitholders intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Unitholder be a partner or joint venturer of any other Unitholder by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 2.7, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Unitholder relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise. The Unitholders intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state and local income Tax purposes, and that each Unitholder and the Company shall file all Tax returns and shall otherwise take all Tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.

 

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ARTICLE III

UNITS, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS

Section 3.1 Units; Capitalization.

(a) Units; Capitalization. The Company shall have the authority to issue an unlimited number of Class A Units in connection with the issuance of capital stock by the Corporation or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall not issue Class B Units other than the Class B Units set forth on Exhibit A-1 except for (i) Class B Units issued to the Fidelity Class B Members contemplated by Exhibit A-2, and (ii) issuances to reflect a pro rata adjustment pursuant to Section 3.1(e) hereof. The Company shall not issue Class C Units without the consent of Emblem Main and PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time) other than the Class C Units set forth on Exhibit A-1 except for issuances to reflect a pro rata adjustment pursuant to Section 3.1(e) hereof; provided that the PMC Issuance shall not require the consent of Emblem Main. The ownership by a Member of Units shall entitle such Member to allocations of Profits and Losses and other items and Distributions of cash and other property as set forth in Article IV hereof. Any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Units issued hereunder or covered hereby shall not (a) be deemed to constitute a “security” governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware (and the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction) that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute or (b) become certificated. Any certificate issued by the Company shall be void. This sentence and the prior sentence of Section 3.1(a) shall not be amended or otherwise modified without the prior written consent of the lenders (or agent) (or any representative thereof) to which all or any portion of the limited liability company interests have been pledged as collateral for so long as such indebtedness is outstanding.

(b) Unit Ownership Ledger. The Managing Member shall create and maintain a ledger attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Unit Ownership Ledger”) setting forth the name of each Unitholder and the number of each class of Units held of record by each such Unitholder. Upon any change in the number or ownership of outstanding Units (whether upon an issuance of Units, a Transfer of Units, a cancellation of Units or otherwise), the Managing Member shall amend and update the Unit Ownership Ledger. Absent manifest error, the ownership interests recorded on the Unit Ownership Ledger shall be conclusive record of the Units that have been issued and are outstanding. Any reference in this Agreement to the Unit Ownership Ledger shall be deemed a reference to the Unit Ownership Ledger as amended and in effect from time to time. The Unit Ownership Ledger shall initially be set forth as Exhibit A-1.

 

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(c) Certificates; Legends. Units shall be issued in uncertificated form; provided that, at the request of any Member, the Managing Member may cause the Company to issue one or more certificates to any such Member holding Units representing in the aggregate the Units held by such Member. If any certificate representing Units is issued, then such certificate shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

THIS CERTIFICATE EVIDENCES UNITS REPRESENTING A MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC. THE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY NON-U.S. OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH. THE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2024, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH SHALL BE FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY TO THE RECORD HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.

(d) Class B Units. The Class B Units shall have no voting rights or any other rights with respect to the governance and operations of the Company, without limiting each such Member’s rights to distributions and allocations as set forth in Article IV, and such rights set forth in the 2021 Exchange Agreement, Tax Receivable Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement.

(e) Class C Units. The Class C Units shall have no voting rights or any other rights with respect to the governance and operations of the Company, without limiting each such Member’s rights to distributions and allocations as set forth in Article IV, and such rights set forth in the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

(f) Capitalization. The Managing Member shall have the authority, without further agreement or action by any other Member, to increase or decrease the Units issued to the Members set forth on the Unit Ownership Ledger, on a pro rata basis, subject to this Article III.

(g) Pledgee’s Rights; Units to be General Intangibles.

(i) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each Member shall be permitted to pledge or hypothecate any or all of its Units, including, without limitation, all economic rights and privileges, all control rights, authority, and powers, and all status rights as a Member, to any lender to the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or to any agent acting on such lender’s behalf, and any transfer of such Units pursuant to any such lender’s (or agent’s) exercise of remedies in connection with any such pledge or hypothecation shall be permitted under this Agreement with no further action or approval required hereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, subject to the terms of the financing giving rise to any pledge or hypothecation of Units, the lender (or agent) shall have the right, to the extent set forth in the applicable pledge or hypothecation agreement, and without further approval of any Member and without becoming a Member (unless such lender (or agent) expressly elects in writing to become a Member), to exercise the membership voting rights of the Member granting such pledge or hypothecation. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, and without complying with any other procedures set forth in this Agreement, upon the exercise of remedies in connection with a pledge or hypothecation, to the extent set forth in the applicable pledge or hypothecation agreement, (a) the lender (or agent) or transferee of such lender (or agent), as the case may be, shall, if it so elects, become a Member under this Agreement and shall succeed to all of the rights and powers, including the right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and shall be bound by all of the obligations, of a Member under this Agreement without taking any further action on the part of such lender (or agent) or transferee, as the case may be, and (b) following such exercise of remedies, the pledging Member shall cease to be a Member and shall have no further rights or powers under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no legal opinion shall be required in connection with any pledge or hypothecation of Common Units, or any transfer or exercise of rights or remedies pursuant hereto. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by a Member shall constitute any necessary approval of such Member under the Act to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1(g) and any of the actions permitted pursuant to this Section 3.1(g).

 

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(ii) So long as any pledge or hypothecation of any Units is in effect, the Company shall not elect that its Units become governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction without the prior written consent of all pledgees of such Units or the delivery of any applicable limited liability company certificate or control agreement necessary to perfect each such pledgee’s interests in the applicable Units.

(iii) This Section 3.1(g) may not be amended or modified so long as any of the Units are subject to a pledge or hypothecation without the pledgee’s (or the transferee of such pledgee’s) prior written consent. Each recipient of a pledge or hypothecation of the Units shall be a third party beneficiary of the provisions of this Section 3.1(g).

Section 3.2 Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.

(a) The Managing Member shall have the right to cause the Company to issue and/or create and issue at any time after the date hereof, and for such amount and form of consideration as the Managing Member may determine, additional Units or other Equity Securities of the Company (including creating classes or series thereof having such powers, designations, preferences and rights as may be determined by the Managing Member). The Managing Member shall have the power to make such amendments to this Agreement in order to provide for such powers, designations, preferences and rights as the Managing Member in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate to give effect to such additional authorization or issuance in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2(a). In connection with any issuance of Units (whether on or after the date of this Agreement), the Person who acquires such Units shall execute a counterpart to this Agreement accepting and agreeing to be bound by all terms and conditions hereof, and shall enter into such other documents, instruments and agreements to effect such purchase as are required by the Managing Member (including such documents, instruments and agreements entered into on or prior to the date of this Agreement by the Members, each, an “Equity Agreement”). The Company shall not, and the Managing Member shall not cause the Company to, issue any Units if such issuance would result in the Company having more than 100 partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)).

 

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(b) At any time the Corporation issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock (other than an issuance of the type covered by Section 3.2(d) or an issuance to a holder of Exchangeable Units pursuant to the 2021 Exchange Agreement or the 2024 Exchange Agreement, as described in Section 3.2(c)), the Corporation shall contribute (directly or indirectly) to the Company all of the net proceeds (if any) received by the Corporation with respect to such share or shares of Class A Common Stock. Upon the contribution (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation to the Company of all of such net proceeds so received by the Corporation, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to issue a number of Class A Units determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect, registered (directly or indirectly) in the name of the Corporation; provided, however, that if the Corporation issues any shares of Class A Common Stock in order to purchase or fund the purchase of Class B Units from a Member (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation), then the Company shall not issue any new Class A Units and the Corporation shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company (it being understood that such net proceeds shall instead be transferred by the Corporation to such other Member as consideration for such purchase). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.2(b) shall not apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of Class A Common Stock of rights to purchase Equity Securities of the Corporation under a “poison pill” or similar shareholder’s rights plan (it being understood that (i) upon exchange of Exchangeable Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2021 Exchange Agreement or the 2024 Exchange Agreement, such Class A Common Stock would be issued together with any such corresponding right and (ii) in the event such rights to purchase Equity Securities of the Corporation are triggered, the Corporation will ensure that the holders of Class B Units and Class C Units that have not been Exchanged prior to such time will be treated equitably vis-à-vis the holders of Class A Common Stock under such plan).

(c) At any time a holder of Exchangeable Units exchanges such Class B Units or Class C Units for shares of Class A Common Stock or a Cash Payment, as the case may be, the Company shall cancel such Exchangeable Units. Upon the cancellation by the Company of the Exchangeable Units exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to issue a number of Class A Units equal to the Exchanged Unit Amount, registered (directly or indirectly) in the name of the Corporation in accordance with Section 2.6 of the 2021 Exchange Agreement or Section 2.6 of the 2024 Exchange Agreement, as applicable.

(d) At any time the Corporation issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock, including but not limited to in connection with an equity incentive program, whether such share or shares are issued upon exercise (including cashless exercise) of an option, settlement of a restricted stock unit, as restricted stock or otherwise, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to issue a corresponding number of Class A Units, registered (directly or indirectly) in the name of the Corporation (determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect); provided that the Corporation shall be required to contribute (directly or indirectly) all (but not less than all) of the net proceeds (if any) received by the Corporation from or otherwise in connection with such issuance of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock, including the exercise price of any option exercised, to the Company. If any such shares of Class A Common Stock so issued by the Corporation in connection with an equity incentive program are subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions, then the Class A Units that are issued (directly or indirectly) by the Company to the Corporation in connection therewith in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 3.2(d) shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis; if any of such shares of Class A Common Stock vest or are forfeited, then a corresponding number of the Class A Units (determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect) in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 3.2(d) shall automatically vest or be forfeited. Any cash or property held by the Corporation or the Company or on any of such Person’s behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted shares of Class A Common Stock that fail to vest shall be returned to the Company upon the forfeiture of such restricted shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

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(e) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon Exchange of all outstanding Class B Units and Class C Units and shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to satisfy its obligations under the 2021 Exchange Agreement and 2024 Exchange Agreement, as and when applicable; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Exchange by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation). If any shares of Class A Common Stock require registration with or approval of any Governmental Entity under any federal or state law before such shares may be issued upon an Exchange, the Corporation shall use reasonable efforts to cause the exchange of such shares of Class A Common Stock to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. The Corporation shall list and use its reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon any such Exchange prior to such delivery upon the national securities exchange upon which the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are listed at the time of such Exchange (it being understood that any such shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws). The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(f) For purposes of this Section 3.2, “net proceeds” means gross proceeds to the Corporation from the issuance of Class A Common Stock or other securities less all reasonable bona fide out-of-pocket fees and expenses of the Corporation, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries actually incurred in connection with such issuance.

(g) If, at any time, any shares of Class A Common Stock or other shares of capital stock of the Corporation are repurchased (whether by exercise of a put or call, pursuant to an open market purchase, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Corporation for cash or other consideration, then the Managing Member shall cause the Company, immediately prior to such repurchase of such capital stock, to redeem an equal number of equivalent Class A Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase price of the capital stock being repurchased by the Corporation (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the capital stock being cancelled or retired by the Corporation.

(h) Subject to Section 3.2(j), the Company shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the Corporation on an after-tax basis at such intervals as the Corporation may reasonably determine, for all (i) overhead, administrative expenses, insurance and reasonable legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries relating to the management of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) franchise and similar taxes of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of the existence of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) reasonable expenses paid by the Corporation and its Subsidiaries on behalf of the Company. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries as a result of indemnification otherwise provided for under this Agreement.

 

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(i) Subject to Section 3.2(j) and without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to Section 3.2(h), the Company shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the Corporation on an after-tax basis at such intervals as the Managing Member may reasonably determine, for all (i) overhead, administrative expenses, insurance and reasonable legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of the Corporation, (ii) expenses of the Corporation incidental to being a public reporting company, (iii) reasonable fees and expenses related to the IPO (other than the payment obligations of the Corporation under the Tax Receivable Agreements) or any subsequent public offering of equity securities of the Corporation or private placement of equity securities of the Corporation, whether or not consummated, (iv) franchise and similar taxes of the Corporation and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of the existence of the Corporation, (v) customary compensation and benefits payable by the Corporation; provided, that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may in its discretion (but shall not be required to) determine that the Corporation, rather than the Company, shall bear any specific items of the foregoing to the extent such items relate exclusively to the business and affairs of the Corporation and should not be borne by the Company. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the Corporation otherwise provided for under this Agreement. If the Corporation issues shares of Class A Common Stock and contributes (directly or indirectly) the net proceeds of such issuance to the Company, the reasonable expenses incurred by the Corporation in such issuance will be assumed by the Company.

(j) To the extent practicable, Company expenses shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company. Unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member, no reimbursement or indemnification payment made pursuant to Section 3.2(h), (i) or (j) shall be considered a distribution to the payee.

Section 3.3 [RESERVED]

Section 3.4 Changes in Common Stock. In addition to any other adjustments required hereby, any subdivision (by stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or other capital stock of the Corporation shall be accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the Class A Units, Class B Units, Class C Units or other Equity Securities, as applicable. In the implementation and administration of this Section 3.4, the Managing Member shall have authority to make such adjustments as it determines in good faith to be appropriate to reflect the economic equivalency intended hereby.

 

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Section 3.5 Capital Accounts.

(a) Maintenance of Capital Accounts. The Company shall maintain a separate Capital Account for each Unitholder according to the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). For this purpose, the Company may (in the sole discretion of the Managing Member), upon the occurrence of the events specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), increase or decrease the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of such regulation and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of the Company property. Without limiting the foregoing, each Unitholder’s Capital Account shall be adjusted:

(i) by adding any additional Capital Contributions made by such Unitholder in consideration for the issuance of Units;

(ii) by deducting any amounts paid to such Unitholder in connection with the redemption or other repurchase by the Company of Units;

(iii) by adding any Profits allocated in favor of such Unitholder and subtracting any Losses allocated in favor of such Unitholder; and

(iv) by deducting any distributions paid in cash or other assets to such Unitholder by the Company.

(b) Computation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction Items. For purposes of computing the amount of any item of the Company income, gain, loss or deduction to be allocated pursuant to Article IV and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income Tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for this purpose); provided that:

(i) the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall include those items described in Code Section 705(a)(1)(B), Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are not deductible for federal income Tax purposes;

(ii) if the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property;

(iii) items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the disposition of the Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for Tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such property;

(iv) items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to the Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for Tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the property’s Book Value in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g);

(v) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted Tax basis of any of the Company’s asset pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis); and

 

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(vi) this Section 3.5 shall be applied in a manner consistent with the principles of Prop. Reg. Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d), (f)(1), (h)(2) and (s).

Section 3.6 Negative Capital Accounts; No Interest Regarding Positive Capital Accounts. No Unitholder shall be required to pay to any other Unitholder or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Unitholder’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company). Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Unitholder shall be entitled to receive interest from the Company in respect of any positive balance in its Capital Account, and no Unitholder shall be liable to pay interest to the Company or any Unitholder in respect of any negative balance in its Capital Account.

Section 3.7 No Withdrawal. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contributions or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided herein.

Section 3.8 Loans From Unitholders. Loans by Unitholders to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. If any Unitholder shall loan funds to the Company in excess of the amounts required hereunder to be contributed by such Unitholder to the capital of the Company, the making of such loans shall not result in any increase in the amount of the Capital Account of such Unitholder. The amount of any such loans shall be a debt of the Company to such Unitholder and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loans are made.

Section 3.9 Adjustments to Capital Accounts for Distributions In-Kind. To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property (as of the date of such distribution) for purposes of Section 4.1 and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value and any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 4.2 through Section 4.4.

Section 3.10 Transfer of Capital Accounts. The original Capital Account established for each Substituted Member shall be in the same amount as the Capital Account of the Member (or portion thereof) to which such Substituted Member succeeds at the time such Substituted Member is admitted to as a Member of the Company. The Capital Account of any Member whose interest in the Company shall be increased or decreased by means of (a) the Transfer to it of all or part of the Units of another Member or (b) the repurchase or forfeiture of Units pursuant to any Equity Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such Transfer or repurchase. Any reference in this Agreement to a Capital Contribution of or Distribution to a Member that has succeeded any other Member shall include any Capital Contributions or Distributions previously made by or to the former Member on account of the Units of such former Member Transferred to such Member.

 

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Section 3.11 Adjustments to Book Value. The Company shall adjust the Book Value of its assets to Fair Market Value in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) as of the following times: (a) at the Managing Member’s discretion in connection with the issuance of Units in the Company or a more than de minimis Capital Contribution to the Company; (b) at the Managing Member’s discretion in connection with the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of the Company’s assets, including money; (c) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g). Any such increase or decrease in Book Value of an asset shall be allocated as a Profit or Loss to the Capital Accounts of the Members under Section 4.2 (determined immediately prior to the event giving rise to the revaluation); and (d) at such other times as the Managing Member shall reasonably determine necessary or advisable in order to comply with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.7042.

Section 3.12 Compliance With Section 1.704-1(b). The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In the event the Managing Member shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are computed in order to comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Managing Member may make such modification, notwithstanding anything in Section 11.2 to the contrary. The Managing Member also shall (a) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of the Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), and (b) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

Section 4.1 Distributions.

(a) Tax Distributions.

(i) Tax Distributions. To the extent funds of the Company are legally available for distribution by the Company and such distribution would not be prohibited under any credit facility to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (the “Tax Distribution Conditions”), with respect to each Fiscal Quarter, the Company shall distribute to each Unitholder, an amount of cash (each a “Tax Distribution”) equal to such Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability for such Fiscal Quarter. To the extent a Unitholder would receive for any Fiscal Quarter less than its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Tax Distributions to be paid pursuant to the preceding sentence (determined for this purpose by taking into account only Units and Tax Distributions with respect to Units), the Tax Distributions to such Unitholder shall be increased to ensure that all Tax Distributions to Unitholders are made in accordance with their Pro Rata Share (determined for this purpose by taking into account only Units and Tax Distributions with respect to Units). The Managing Member shall be entitled to adjust subsequent Tax Distributions (in accordance with each Unitholder’s Pro Rata Share) up or down to reflect any variation between its prior estimation of quarterly Tax Distributions and the Tax Distributions that would have been computed under this Section 4.1(a)(i) based on subsequent information. In the event that due to the Tax Distribution Conditions the funds available for any Tax Distribution to be made hereunder are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Tax Distribution that would otherwise be required under this Section 4.1(a)(i), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to distribute to the Unitholders the amount of funds that are available after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions on a pro rata basis (according to the amounts that would have been distributed to each Unitholder pursuant to this Section 4.1(a)(i) if available funds (after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions) existed in a sufficient amount to make such Distribution in full, including application of the requirement that Tax Distributions with respect to Units be made pro rata). At any time thereafter when additional funds of the Company are available for Distribution after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to immediately distribute such funds to the Unitholders on a pro rata basis (according to the amounts that would have been distributed to each Unitholder pursuant to this Section 4.1(a)(i) if available funds (after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions) would have existed in a sufficient amount to make such Tax Distribution in full). Tax Distributions shall be treated as advanced distributions under the other provisions of this Section 4.1. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Subsidiaries of the Company to make distributions to the Company sufficient to permit it to pay Tax Distributions.

 

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(ii) Additional Tax Distributions. In the event of any audit by, or similar event with, a taxing authority that affects the calculation of any Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability for any Taxable Year (other than an audit conducted pursuant to the Partnership Tax Audit Rules for which no election is made pursuant to Code Section 6226 (or any similar provision of state or local law)), or in the event the Company files an amended tax return, each Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability with respect to such year shall be recalculated by giving effect to such event (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account interest and penalties). Any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions the Unitholders and former Unitholders received for the relevant Taxable Years based on such recalculated Assumed Tax Liability shall be promptly distributed to such Unitholders and the successors of such former Unitholders, except, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Distributions were made to such Unitholders and former Unitholders pursuant to Section 4.1 in the relevant Taxable Years sufficient to cover such shortfall. For the avoidance of doubt, the additional distributions provided for in this Section 4.1(a)(ii) shall be made with respect Units pro rata among them.

(b) Other Distributions. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.1(a), the Managing Member may (but shall not be obligated to) make Distributions at such time, in such amounts and in such form (including in-kind property) as determined by the Managing Member in its sole discretion, in each case to the holders of Units immediately prior to such Distribution on a pro rata basis.

Section 4.2 Allocations. Profits or Losses (including, if necessary, items thereof) for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unitholders in such a manner as to reduce or eliminate, to the extent possible, any difference, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, between (a) the sum of (i) the Capital Account of each Unitholder, (ii) such Unitholder’s share of Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(g)) and (iii) such Unitholder’s partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2)) and (b) the respective net amounts, positive or negative, which would be distributed to them or for which they would be liable to the Company under this Agreement and the Delaware Act, determined as if the Company were to (i) liquidate the assets of the Company for an amount equal to their Book Value and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such liquidation pursuant to Section 10.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, allocations to holders of Class C Units shall be made in good faith consultation with Emblem Main and PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time).

 

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Section 4.3 Special Allocations.

(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Losses attributable to partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If there is a net decrease during a Taxable Year in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2)), Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) shall be allocated to the Unitholders in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4).

(b) Unitholder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Chargeback. Nonrecourse deductions (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Taxable Year shall be allocated to each holder of Units ratably among such Unitholders based upon their ownership of Units. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.3(a), if there is a net decrease in the Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Unitholder shall be allocated Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 4.3(b) is intended to be a Minimum Gain chargeback provision that complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(c) Qualified Income Offset. If any Unitholder that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any Taxable Year, computed after the application of Section 4.3(a) and Section 4.3(b),but before the application of any other provision of this Article IV, then Profits for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to such Unitholder in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This Section 4.3(c) is intended to be a qualified income offset provision as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(d) Allocation of Certain Profits and Losses. Profits and Losses described in Section 3.5(b)(v) shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be made pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(j), (k) and (m).

(e) Regulatory Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 4.3(a)-(d) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Unitholders intend to allocate Profit and Loss of the Company or make the Company distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, income, gain, deduction, and loss shall be reallocated among the Unitholders so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Accounts of the Unitholders to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Unitholders anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Unitholders so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Unitholder is zero. In addition, if in any Fiscal Year or Fiscal Period there is a decrease in partnership Minimum Gain, or in partner nonrecourse debt Minimum Gain, and application of the Minimum Gain chargeback requirements set forth in Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b) would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Unitholders, the Unitholders may, if they do not expect that the Company will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the Internal Revenue Service to waive either or both of such Minimum Gain chargeback requirements. If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as if it did not contain such Minimum Gain chargeback requirement.

 

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(f) The Unitholders acknowledge that allocations like those described in Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) (“Forfeiture Allocations”) may result from the allocations of Profits and Losses provided for in this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company is entitled to make Forfeiture Allocations and, once required by applicable final or temporary guidance, allocations of Profits and Losses will be made in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) or any successor provision or guidance.

(g) Any item of deduction with respect to a Tax that is offset for a Unitholder under Section 4.6 shall be allocated to the Unitholder in which such payment is to be offset. For the avoidance of doubt, all tax deductions described in this Section 4.3(g) shall be taken into account in determining the amount of Tax Distribution made under the provisions of Section 4.1(a)(i).

Section 4.4 Offsetting Allocations. If, and to the extent that, any Member is deemed to recognize any item of income, gain, deduction or loss as a result of any transaction between such Member and the Company pursuant to Sections 83, 482, or 7872 of the Code or any similar provision now or hereafter in effect, the Managing Member shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to allocate any corresponding Profit or Loss to the Member who recognizes such item in order to reflect the Members’ economic interest in the Company.

Section 4.5 Tax Allocations.

(a) Allocations Generally. Except as provided in Section 4.5(b) below, for federal, state and local income Tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss or deduction shall be allocated among the Unitholders in the same manner and in the same proportion that the corresponding book items have been allocated among the Unitholders’ respective Capital Accounts; provided that, if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable law, then each subsequent item of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits will be allocated among the Unitholders so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.

 

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(b) Code Section 704(c) Allocations. Items of Company taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for Tax purposes, be allocated among the Unitholders in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income Tax purposes and its initial Book Value. Such allocations shall be made using a reasonable method specified in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3. In addition, if the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), then subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income Tax purposes and its Book Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member shall determine all allocations pursuant to this Section 4.5(b) using any method selected by the Managing Member that is permitted under Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder; provided that the “traditional method” pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(b) shall be used with respect to any assets contributed or deemed contributed to the Company in conjunction with the IPO Transactions or any other transactions related thereto.

(c) Section 754 Election. The Company will have in effect (and will cause each Subsidiary that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect) an election under Section 754 of the Code for its Taxable Year that includes or begins on the date of this Agreement and each Fiscal Year in which a sale, exchange, or redemption (whether partial or complete) occurs to adjust the basis of the Company property as permitted and provided in Sections 734 and 743 of the Code. Such election shall be effective solely for federal (and, if applicable, state and local) income Tax purposes and shall not result in any adjustment to the Book Value of any Company asset or to the Member’s Capital Accounts (except as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704- 1(b)(2)(iv)(m)).

(d) Allocation of Tax Credits, Tax Credit Recapture, Etc. Allocations of Tax credits, Tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Unitholders according to their interests in such items as determined by the Managing Member taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and (viii).

(e) Corrective Allocations. If necessary, the Company will make corrective allocations as set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

(f) Effect of Allocations. Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.5 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local Taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Unitholder’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, Distributions (other than Tax Distributions) or other items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

Section 4.6 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Unitholder. Except as otherwise provided in Article VI, if the Company is required by law to make any payment to a Governmental Entity that is specifically attributable to a Unitholder or a Unitholder’s status as such (including federal withholding Taxes, state personal property Taxes, and state unincorporated business Taxes), then such Unitholder shall indemnify and contribute to the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). The Managing Member may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 4.6 or with respect to any other amounts owed by the Unitholder to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. A Unitholder’s obligation to indemnify and make contributions to the Company under this Section 4.6 shall survive such Unitholder ceasing to be a Unitholder of the LLC and/or the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company, and for purposes of this Section 4.6, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Unitholder under this Section 4.6, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification and contribution, with interest calculated at a rate equal to the Base Rate plus three percentage points per annum (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by law), compounded on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.

 

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ARTICLE V

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS

Section 5.1 Management.

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act, the business, property and affairs of the Company shall be managed, operated and controlled at the sole, absolute and exclusive direction of the Managing Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. No Member or Unitholder other than the Managing Member shall have management authority or voting or other rights over, or any other ability to take part in the conduct or control of the business of, the Company. The Managing Member is, to the extent of its rights and powers set forth in this Agreement, an agent of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s business, and the actions of the Managing Member taken in accordance with such rights and powers shall bind the Company (and no other Member shall have such right). The Managing Member shall have all necessary powers to carry out the purposes, business and objectives of the Company. The Managing Member may delegate in its discretion the authority to sign agreements and other documents and take other actions on behalf of the Company to any Person (including any Member, officer or employee of the Company) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.

(b) Without limiting Section 5.1(a), the Managing Member shall have the sole power and authority to effect any of the following by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in one or a series of related transaction, in each case without the vote, consent or approval of any Unitholder: (i) any sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company); (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity, (iii) any acquisition; (iv) any issuance of debt or equity securities; (v) any incurrence of indebtedness; or (vi) any dissolution. If a vote, consent or approval of the Unitholders is required by the Delaware Act or other applicable law with respect to any action to be taken by the Company or matter considered by the Managing Member, each Unitholder will be deemed to have consented to or approved such action or voted on such matter in accordance with the consent or approval of the Managing Member on such action or matter.

 

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(c) The Corporation may appoint any of the following as a successor Managing Member at any time upon written notice to the Company: (a) any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation, (b) any Person of which the Corporation is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, (c) any Person into which the Corporation is merged or consolidated or (d) any transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, which withdrawal and replacement as Managing Member shall be effective upon the delivery of such notice.

Section 5.2 Investment Company Act. The Managing Member shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Company shall not be subject to registration as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act.

Section 5.3 Officers.

(a) Officers. Unless determined otherwise by the Managing Member, the officers of the Company shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and a Secretary and each other officer of the Corporation shall also be an officer of the Company, with the same title. All officers shall be appointed by the Managing Member (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the Managing Member delegates such authority to the Chief Executive Officer) and shall hold office until their successors are appointed by the Managing Member (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the Managing Member delegates such authority to the Chief Executive Officer). Two or more offices may be held by the same individual. The officers of the Company may be removed by the Managing Member (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the Managing Member delegates such authority to the Chief Executive Officer) at any time for any reason or no reason.

(b) Other Officers and Agents. The Managing Member may appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem necessary or advisable, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Managing Member.

(c) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Company and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of a chief executive officer of a company. He or she shall preside at all meetings of Members if present thereat, unless the Managing Member delegates such authority to another officer, Member or other individual.

(d) President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Managing Member.

(e) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the chief financial officer of the Company and shall keep and maintain or cause to be kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Company. The books of account shall at all times be open to inspection by the Managing Member. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name of, and to the credit of, the Company with such depositaries as may be designated by the Managing Member.

 

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(f) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of Company funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositaries as may be designated by the Managing Member or the Chief Executive Officer. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Managing Member or the Chief Executive Officer, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the Managing Member and the Chief Executive Officer whenever either of them may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Company. If required by the Managing Member, the Treasurer shall give the Company a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Managing Member shall prescribe.

(g) Secretary. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of Members and all other notices required by applicable law or by this Agreement, and in case of his or her absence or refusal or neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto directed by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Managing Member. He or she shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Company, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Managing Member or by the Chief Executive Officer.

(h) Other Officers. Other officers, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them, respectively, by the Managing Member or by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 5.4 Fiduciary Duties.

(a) Members and Unitholders. To the fullest extent permitted by law and notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, no Member or Unitholder, solely in its capacity as such, shall owe any fiduciary duty to the Company, the Managing Member, any Member, any Unitholder or any other Person bound by this Agreement, provided that the foregoing shall not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Nothing in this Section 5.4(a) shall limit the liabilities, duties or obligations of any Member or Unitholder acting in his or her capacity as an officer or manager pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement.

(b) Managing Member and Officers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.4(c), (i) the Managing Member shall, in its capacity as Managing Member, and not in any other capacity, have the same fiduciary duties to the Company and the Unitholders and Members as a member of the board of directors of a Delaware corporation; and (ii) each officer of the Company shall, in his or her capacity as such, and not in any other capacity, have the same fiduciary duties to the Company and the Unitholders and Members as an officer of a Delaware corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, the fiduciary duties described in clause (i) above shall not be limited by the fact that the Managing Member shall be permitted to take certain actions in its sole or reasonable discretion pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any agreement entered into in connection herewith.

 

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(c) Managing Member Conflicts. The parties hereto acknowledge that the members of the Corporation’s board of directors will owe fiduciary duties to the Corporation and its stockholders. The Managing Member will use commercially reasonable and appropriate efforts and means, as determined in good faith by the Managing Member, to minimize any conflict of interest between the Members, on the one hand, and the stockholders of the Corporation, on the other hand, and to effectuate any transaction that involves or affects any of the Company, the Managing Member, the Members and/or the stockholders of the Corporation in a manner that does not (i) disadvantage the Members of their interests relative to the stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) advantage the stockholders of the Corporation relative to the Members or (iii) treat the Members and the stockholders of the Corporation differently; provided that in the event of a conflict between the interests of the stockholders of the Corporation and the interests of the Members, such Members agree that the Managing Member shall discharge its fiduciary duties to such Members by acting in the best interests of the Corporation’s stockholders.

(d) Waiver. Any duties and liabilities set forth in this Agreement shall replace those existing at law or in equity and each of the Company, each Member and Unitholder and any other Person bound by this Agreement hereby, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including Section 18-1101(e) of the Delaware Act, waives the right to make any claim, bring any action or seek any recovery based on any duties or liabilities existing at law or in equity other than any such duties and liabilities set forth in this Agreement.

(e) Survival. The provisions of this Section 5.4 shall survive any amendment, repeal or termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.1 Exculpation.

(a) Actions in Capacity as a Member or Unitholder. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Member, Unitholder (other than the Managing Member, acting in its capacity as such) or its respective Indemnitees shall be liable to the Company, any Member, any Unitholder or any other Person bound by this Agreement as a result of or arising out any action of or omission by such Member or Unitholder solely in its capacity as a Member or Unitholder, except to the extent such Obligations arise out of such Member’s (1) material breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (2) bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, in each case as determined by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected).

(b) Other Actions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, including Section 6.5, no Indemnitee shall be liable to the Company, any Member, any Unitholder or any other Person bound by this Agreement as a result of or arising out of the activities of the Indemnitee on behalf of the Company to the extent within the scope of the authority reasonably believed by such Indemnitee to be conferred on such Indemnitee, except to the extent such Indemnitee would not be entitled to exculpation or indemnification pursuant to the certification of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time).

 

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Section 6.2 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of (a) the Managing Member, (b) the Unitholders and Members (and their respective Affiliates), (c) the stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of the Unitholders and Members (and their respective Affiliates), and (d) the officers and directors of the Corporation, the Managing Member, the Company and each of their Subsidiaries (each, an “Indemnitee”) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, “Obligations”), which at any time may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement, the Corporation, the Company, their respective assets, businesses or affairs, or the activities of the Indemnitee on behalf of the Corporation, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, to the extent within the scope of the authority reasonably believed to be conferred on such Indemnitee; provided, however, that, to the extent such Indemnitee is not entitled to exculpation with respect to such Obligations pursuant to Section 6.5, the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification for any such Obligations to the extent such Indemnitee would not be entitled to exculpation or indemnification pursuant to the certification of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided further, that, to the extent such Indemnitee is entitled to exculpation with respect to such Obligations pursuant to Section 6.5, the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification for any such Obligations to the extent they arise out of such Indemnitee’s (1) material breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or (2) bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nobo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification hereunder. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) shall be made only out of the assets of the Company and no Member shall have any personal liability on account thereof.

Section 6.3 Expenses. Expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding described in Section 6.1(b) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as provided in Section 6.1(b); provided that such undertaking shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be accepted without regard to an Indemnitee’s ability to repay amounts advanced and without regard to an Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification.

 

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Section 6.4 Non-Exclusivity; Savings Clause. The indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in Section 6.1(b) and Section 6.3 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any other agreement, policy of insurance or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in Section 6.1(b) and Section 6.3 shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a named Indemnitee and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns of such a Person. If Article VI, Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless exculpate, indemnify and advance expenses to each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of such sections not so invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions set forth in Article VI, Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Company and each of the persons constituting Indemnitees at any time while such provisions remain in effect, whether or not such Person continues to serve in such capacity and whether or not such Person is a party hereto. In addition, neither Article VI, Section 6.2 nor Section 6.3 may be retroactively amended to adversely affect the rights of any Indemnitee arising in connection with any acts, omissions, facts or circumstances occurring prior to such amendment.

Section 6.5 Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Indemnitees against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in such capacity, or arising out of their status as Indemnitees, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify them against such liability under this Section 6.5.

ARTICLE VII

ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS

Section 7.1 Accounting and Records. The books and records of the Company shall be made and maintained, and the financial position and the results of its operations recorded, at the expense of the Company, in accordance with such method of accounting as is determined by the Managing Member. The books and records of the Company shall reflect all Company transactions and shall be made and maintained in a manner that is appropriate and adequate for the Company’s business.

Section 7.2 Preparation of Tax Returns. The Company shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all Tax returns required to be filed by the Company, including making the elections described in Section 4.5(c) and Section 7.3. Each Unitholder shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is necessary to enable the Company’s income Tax returns to be prepared and filed.

Section 7.3 Tax Elections. The Taxable Year shall be the Fiscal Year unless the Managing Member shall determine otherwise. Except as provided in Section 4.5(c), the Managing Member shall determine whether to make or revoke any available election pursuant to the Code. Each Unitholder will upon request supply any information necessary to give proper effect to such election.

Section 7.4 Tax Controversies.

(a) The Managing Member shall be the “partnership representative” (or “PR”) of the Company for purposes of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules, and, as such, (i) shall be authorized to designate any other Person selected by the Managing Member as the partnership representative and (ii) shall be authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by Tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend the Company’s funds for professional services and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Unitholder agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the conduct of such proceedings.

 

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(b) In the event of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service, unless otherwise approved by all of the Members, the PR shall make on a timely basis, to the extent permissible under applicable law, the election provided by Section 6226(a) of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules to treat a “partnership adjustment” as an adjustment to be taken into account by each Member in accordance with Section 6226(b) of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules. If the election under Section 6226(a) of the of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules is made, the PR shall furnish to each Member for the year under audit a statement reflecting the Member’s share of the adjusted items as determined in the notice of final partnership adjustment, and each such Member shall take such adjustment into account as required under Section 6226(b) of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules and shall be liable for any related tax, interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amounts.

(c) In the event of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service, if the PR does not make the election provided by Section 6226(a) of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules as noted above, the PR shall allocate the burden of any taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any “imputed underpayment” within the meaning of Section 6225 of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules), penalties, interest and related expenses imposed on the Company pursuant to the Partnership Tax Audit Rules among the Members to whom such amounts are attributable (whether as a result of their status, actions, inactions or otherwise), as reasonably determined by the PR and each Member shall promptly reimburse the Company in full for the entire amount the PR determines to be attributable to such Member; provided that the Company will also be allowed to recover any amount due from such Member pursuant to this sentence from any distribution otherwise payable to such Member pursuant to this Agreement. Solely for purposes of determining the Member(s) to which any taxes or other amounts are attributable under this provision, references to any Member in this Section 7.4(c) shall include a reference to each Person that previously held the Units currently held by such Member (but only to the extent of such Person’s interest in such Units).

(d) The PR is authorized to (and shall) follow principles (to the extent available) similar to those set forth in Section 7.4(b) and Section 7.4(c) with respect to any audits by state, local, or foreign tax authorities and any tax liabilities that result therefrom.

Section 7.5 Tax Cooperation. Without the prior written consent of Emblem Main, the Company shall not take any more than ministerial act with respect to (i) the computation of the Capital Accounts of the Company, (ii) making adjustments to the Book Value of any asset of the Company, (iii) allocations of items of Company income, gain, expense or loss for Capital Account purposes or for tax purposes, (iv) the allocation of liabilities of the partnership under Section 752, or (v) the tax reporting or tax positions of the Company, including any such actions taken by the PR, or change the Company’s independent accounting firm or amend, terminate or modify the retention arrangement with such firm. If requested by Emblem Main, the Company shall adjust the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of Company property in connection with the issuance of Class C Units to the Emblem Parties.

 

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Section 7.6 Code § 83 Safe Harbor Election.

(a) By executing this Agreement, each Unitholder authorizes and directs the Company to elect to have the “Safe Harbor” described in the proposed Revenue Procedure set forth in the Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43 (the “IRS Notice”) or in any successor, guidance or provision apply to any interest in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company on or after the effective date of such Revenue Procedure in connection with services provided to the Company. For purposes of making such Safe Harbor election, the PR is hereby designated as the “partner who has responsibility for federal income Tax reporting” by the Company and, accordingly, that execution of such Safe Harbor election by the PR constitutes execution of a “Safe Harbor Election” in accordance with Section 3.03(1) of the IRS Notice. Each Unitholder hereby agrees to comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor described in the IRS Notice, including, the requirement that each Unitholder shall prepare and file all federal income Tax returns reporting the income Tax effects of each Unit issued by the Company that qualifies for the Safe Harbor in a manner consistent with the requirements of the IRS Notice.

(b) Any Unitholder or former Unitholder that fails to comply with requirements set forth in Section 7.5(a) shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each adversely affected Unitholder and former Unitholder from and against any and all losses, liabilities, Taxes, damages, judgments, fines, costs, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (including, costs and expenses of suits and proceedings, and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), in each case resulting from such Unitholder’s or former Unitholder’s failure to comply with such requirements. The Managing Member may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s obligation to indemnify the Company and any other Person under this Section 7.5(b) (and any amount so offset with respect to such Person’s obligation to indemnify a Person other than the Company shall be paid over to such other Person by the Company). A Unitholder’s obligations to comply with the requirements of Section 7.5(a) and to indemnify the Company and any Unitholder or former Unitholder under this Section 7.5(b) shall survive such Unitholder’s ceasing to be a Unitholder of the Company and/or the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company, and, for purposes of this Section 7.5, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company and any Unitholder or former Unitholder may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Unitholder or former Unitholder under this Section 7.5(b), including (i) instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification and contribution, with interest calculated at a rate equal to the Base Rate plus three percentage points per annum (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by law), compounded on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter and (ii) specific performance and/or immediate injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction (without the necessity of showing actual money damages, or posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of Section 7.5(a).

(c) Each Unitholder authorizes the Managing Member to amend paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 7.5 to the extent necessary to achieve substantially the same Tax treatment with respect to any interest in the Company Transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services provided to the Company as set forth in Section 4 of the IRS Notice (e.g., to reflect changes from the rules set forth in the IRS Notice in subsequent Internal Revenue Service guidance); provided that such amendment is not materially adverse to any Unitholder (as compared with the after-Tax consequences that would result if the provisions of the IRS Notice applied to all interests in the Company Transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services provided to the Company).

 

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ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFER OF UNITS; ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS

Section 8.1 Transfer of Units. Other than as provided for below in this Section 8.1, no Member may sell, assign, transfer, grant a participation in, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of (such transaction being herein collectively called a “Transfer”) all or any portion of its Units except with the approval of the Managing Member, which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion. Without the approval of the Managing Member (but otherwise in compliance with Section 8.1), a Member may, at any time, (a) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Units pursuant to the 2021 Exchange Agreement or the 2024 Exchange Agreement, (b) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Units to a Permitted Transferee of such Member, and (c) consummate a transaction that terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes but does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state law; provided, however, that (i) such transfer restrictions will continue to apply to such Units after any such permitted Transfer, (ii) transferees must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of the 2021 Exchange Agreement (with respect to Class A Units and Class B Units) or the 2024 Exchange Agreement (with respect to the Class C Units), as applicable, and this Agreement (as in effect at such time, together with any amendments hereto), and (iii) any Transfer of Units to a Permitted Transferee of such Member by a Member which also holds Class B Common Stock must be accompanied by the transfer of a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock (determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect) to such Permitted Transferee. Any purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Units not complying with this Section 8.1 shall be void ab initio and shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company or the other Members to recognize that purported Transfer or to recognize the Person to which the Transfer purportedly was made as a Member. A Person acquiring a Member’s Units pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall not be admitted as a substituted or Additional Member except in accordance with the requirements of Section 8.2, but such Person shall, to the extent of the Units transferred to it, be entitled to such Member’s (i) share of Distributions, (ii) share of Profits and Losses and (iii) Capital Account in accordance with Section 3.5. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Member Transfers all or any portion of its Units after the designation of a record date and declaration of a Distribution pursuant to Section 4.1 and before the payment date of such distribution, the transferring Member (and not the Person acquiring all or any portion of its Units) shall be entitled to receive such Distribution in respect of such transferred Units.

Section 8.2 Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members.

(a) No direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of a Member’s Units may be made, and no purchaser, assignee, transferee or other recipient of all or any part of such Units shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted or Additional Member hereunder, unless:

(i) the provisions of Section 8.1 shall have been complied with;

 

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(ii) in the case of a proposed substituted or Additional Member that is (A) a competitor or potential competitor of the Corporation or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries, (B) a Person with whom the Corporation or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries has had or is expected to have a material commercial or financial relationship or (C) likely to subject the Corporation or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries to any material legal or regulatory requirement or obligation, or materially increase the burden thereof, in each case as determined by the Managing Member in its sole discretion, the admission of the purchaser, assignee, transferee or other recipient as a substituted or Additional Member shall have been approved by the Managing Member;

(iii) the Managing Member shall have been furnished with the documents effecting such Transfer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, executed and acknowledged by both the seller, assignor or transferor and the purchaser, assignee, transferee or other recipient, and the Managing Member shall have executed (and the Managing Member hereby agrees to execute) any other documents on behalf of itself and the Members required to effect the Transfer;

(iv) the provisions of Section 8.2(b) shall have been complied with;

(v) the Managing Member shall be reasonably satisfied that such Transfer will not (A) result in a violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable law; or (B) cause an assignment under the Investment Company Act;

(vi) such Transfer would (A) not create a material risk that the Company will be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or any other association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Transfer shall not be effected on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof,” as such terms are used in Treas. Reg. § 1.7704-1 and (B) not otherwise result in the Company having more than 100 partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3));

(vii) the Managing Member shall have received the opinion of counsel, if any, required by Section 8.2(c) in connection with such Transfer; and

(viii) all necessary instruments reflecting such Transfer and/or admission shall have been filed in each jurisdiction in which such filing is necessary in order to qualify the Company to conduct business or to preserve the limited liability of the Members.

(b) Each Substituted Member and Additional Member shall be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement. Each Substituted Member and Additional Member, as a condition to its admission as a Member, shall execute and acknowledge such instruments (including a counterpart of this Agreement and the 2021 Exchange Agreement or a joinder agreement in customary form), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, as the Managing Member reasonably deems necessary or desirable to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such substituted or Additional Member to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Units acquired by such substituted or Additional Member. The admission of a substituted or Additional Member shall not require the consent of any Member (but shall require the consent of the Managing Member, if and to the extent such consent of the Managing Member is expressly required by this Article VIII). As promptly as practicable after the admission of a substituted or Additional Member, the Unit Ownership Ledger and other books and records of the Company and Exhibit A shall be changed to reflect such admission.

 

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(c) As a further condition to any Transfer of all or any part of a Member’s Units, the Managing Member may, in its discretion, require a written opinion of counsel to the transferring Member, obtained at the sole expense of the transferring Member, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Managing Member, as to such matters as are customary and appropriate in transactions of this type, including, without limitation (or, in the case of any Transfer made to a Permitted Transferee, limited to an opinion) to the effect that such Transfer will not result in a violation of the registration or other requirements of the Securities Act or any other federal or state securities laws. No such opinion, however, shall be required in connection with a Transfer made pursuant to the 2021 Exchange Agreement.

(d) The transferor, unless otherwise reasonably determined by the Managing Member, shall deliver to the Company an affidavit of non-foreign status with respect to such transferor that satisfies the requirements of Section 1446(f)(2) of the Code or other documentation establishing a valid exemption from withholding pursuant to Section 1446(f) of the Code or shall ensure that, contemporaneously with the Transfer, the transferee of such interest properly withholds and remits to the IRS the amount of tax required to be withheld upon the Transfer by Section 1446(f) of the Code (and promptly provide evidence to the Company of such withholding and remittance). The transferor and transferee of such interest shall agree to jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation, the Company and any Subsidiary of the Company against any loss (including taxes, interest, penalties, and any related expenses) arising out of any failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 8.2(d).

Section 8.3 Expense of Transfer; Indemnification. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Managing Member and the Company in connection with any Transfer of a Member’s Units, including any filing and recording costs and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the transferring Member. In addition, the transferring Member hereby indemnifies the Managing Member and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Managing Member, the Company, or any of their Affiliates may become subject arising out of or based upon any false representation or warranty made by, or breach or failure to comply with any covenant or agreement of, such transferring Member or such transferee in connection with such Transfer.

Section 8.4 2021 Exchange Agreement. In connection with any Transfer of any portion of a Member’s Units pursuant to the 2021 Exchange Agreement, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to take any action as may be required under the 2021 Exchange Agreement or requested by any party thereto to effect such Transfer promptly.

Section 8.5 2024 Exchange Agreement. In connection with any Transfer of any portion of a Member’s Units pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement, the Managing Member shall take or shall cause the Company to take any action as may be required under the 2024 Exchange Agreement or requested by any party thereto to effect such Transfer promptly.

 

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Section 8.6 Tax Corporation.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in connection with any contemplated Transfer of Units, the following provisions shall apply with respect to any direct or indirect owner of the Emblem Parties or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time) that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (any such direct or indirect owner, a “Tax Corporation”): (i) the Emblem Parties or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time) may assign, in whole or in part, its rights in connection with such Transfer to the owner(s) of the Tax Corporation (the “Tax Corporation Securityholder”); (ii) the Company and each holder of Units shall allow the Tax Corporation’s Tax Corporation Securityholder(s) to Transfer securities of the Tax Corporation (corresponding to the Units that otherwise would be transferred by the Emblem Parties or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time)) in lieu of such the Emblem Parties or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time) transferring such Units; and (iii) any Tax Corporation Securityholder that so Transfers securities of the Tax Corporation shall be entitled to receive the same amount and type of consideration as the Emblem Parties or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time) would have received had it Transferred its Units corresponding to the securities of the Tax Corporation so transferred.

(b) At the request of Emblem Main or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time), in their respective discretion, with respect to Tax Corporation, (i) the Tax Corporation shall be merged with and into the Corporation or (ii) the Tax Corporation Security Holders shall contribute their securities of the Tax Corporation to the Corporation, in each case, in exchange for corresponding securities of the Corporation in a transaction that is intended to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes in exchange for a corresponding securities of the Corporation having equivalent value.

The Company, the Members and the Board shall reasonably cooperate with the Emblem Parties and/or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time), as applicable, and the Tax Corporation Securityholders, and shall otherwise take all necessary or reasonably desirable actions (including executing applicable documents or agreements), as determined by the Emblem Parties and/or PMC (to the extent PMC holds Class C Units at the relevant time), as applicable, in order to (i) facilitate the consummation of any transaction contemplated by Section 8.6(a) or Section 8.6(b) or (ii) otherwise give effect to the principles contemplated by this Section 8.6.

 

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ARTICLE IX

WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF UNITHOLDERS

Section 9.1 Withdrawal and Resignation of Unitholders. No Unitholder shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article X, without the prior written consent of the Managing Member (which consent may be withheld by the Managing Member in its sole discretion), except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement. Upon a Transfer of all of a Unitholder’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, and (if applicable) the Equity Agreements, such Unitholder shall cease to be a Unitholder. Notwithstanding that payment on account of a withdrawal may be made after the effective time of such withdrawal, any completely withdrawing Unitholder will not be considered a Unitholder for any purpose after the effective time of such complete withdrawal, and, in the case of a partial withdrawal, such Unitholder’s Capital Account (and corresponding voting and other rights) shall be reduced for all other purposes hereunder upon the effective time of such partial withdrawal.

ARTICLE X

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 10.1 Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first of the following to occur:

(a) at the election of the Managing Member; and

(b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 33.5 of the Delaware Act or an administrative dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Article X the Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 10.2 Liquidation and Termination. On the dissolution of the Company, the Managing Member shall act as liquidator or may appoint one or more representatives, Members or other Persons as liquidator(s). The liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as the Company’s expense. Until final distribution, the liquidators shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Managing Member. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidators are as follows:

(a) The liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from the Company’s funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in liquidation) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine).

(b) As promptly as practicable after dissolution, the liquidators shall (i) determine the Fair Market Value (the “Liquidation FMV”) of the Company’s remaining assets (the “Liquidation Assets”) in accordance with Article X hereof, (ii) determine the amounts to be distributed to each Unitholder in accordance with Section 4.1, and (iii) deliver to each Unitholder a statement (the “Liquidation Statement”) setting forth the Liquidation FMV and the amounts and recipients of such Distributions, which Liquidation Statement shall be final and binding on all Unitholders.

 

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(c) As soon as the Liquidation FMV and the proper amounts of Distributions have been determined in accordance with Section 10.2(b) above, the liquidators shall promptly distribute the Company’s Liquidation Assets to the holders of Units in accordance with Section 4.1(b) above. In making such distributions, the liquidators shall allocate each type of Liquidation Assets (i.e., cash or cash equivalents, preferred or common equity securities, etc.) among the Unitholders ratably based upon the aggregate amounts to be distributed with respect to the Units held by each such holder; provided that the liquidators may allocate each type of Liquidation Assets so as to give effect to and take into account the relative priorities of the different Units; provided further that, in the event that any securities are part of the Liquidation Assets, each Unitholder that is not an “accredited investor” as such term is defined under the Securities Act may, in the sole discretion of the Managing Member, receive, and hereby agrees to accept, in lieu of such securities, cash consideration with an equivalent value to such securities as determined by the Managing Member. Any non-cash Liquidation Assets will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with Section 4.2 and Section 4.3. If any Unitholder’s Capital Account is not equal to the amount to be distributed to such Unitholder pursuant to Section 10.2(b), Profits and Losses for the Fiscal Year in which the Company is dissolved shall be allocated among the Unitholders in such a manner as to cause, to the extent possible, each Unitholder’s Capital Account to be equal to the amount to be distributed to such Unitholder pursuant to Section 10.2(b). The distribution of cash and/or property to a Unitholder in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.2(b) constitutes a complete return to the Unitholder of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Unitholder of its interest in the Company and all the Company property and constitutes a compromise to which all Unitholders have consented within the meaning of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Unitholder returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Unitholder for those funds.

Section 10.3 Securityholders Agreement. To the extent that units or other equity securities of any Subsidiary are distributed to any Unitholders and unless otherwise agreed to by the Managing Member, such Unitholders hereby agree to enter into a securityholders agreement with such Subsidiary and each other Unitholder which contains rights and restrictions in form and substance similar to the provisions and restrictions set forth herein (including in Article VIII).

Section 10.4 Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the distribution of the Company’s assets as provided herein, the Company shall be terminated (and the Company shall not be terminated prior to such time), and the Managing Member (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are or should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company. The Company shall be deemed to continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 10.4.

Section 10.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 10.2 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.

 

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Section 10.6 Return of Capital. The liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Unitholders (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from the Company assets).

Section 10.7 Hart-Scott-Rodino. In the event the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”) is applicable to any Unitholder, the dissolution of the Company shall not be consummated until such time as the applicable waiting period (and extensions thereof) under the HSR Act have expired or otherwise been terminated with respect to each such Unitholder.

ARTICLE XI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 11.1 Power of Attorney. Each Unitholder hereby constitutes and appoints the Managing Member and the liquidators, if any and as applicable, and their respective designees, with full power of substitution, as his, her or its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (to the same extent such Person could take such action): (a) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments hereof or thereof in accordance with the terms hereof which the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property or as otherwise permitted herein; (b) all instruments, agreements, amendments or other documents which the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Managing Member and/or the liquidators deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (d) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal or substitution of any Unitholder pursuant to Article VIII or Article IX. The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Unitholder and the Transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such Unitholder’s heirs, successors, permitted assigns and personal representatives.

Section 11.2 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended (including, for purposes of this Section 11.2, any amendment effected directly or indirectly by way of a merger or consolidation of the Company) or waived, in whole or in part, by the Managing Member; provided that no amendment shall be effective until written notice has been provided to the Members, and any Unitholder shall have the right to give notice of an Exchange, as applicable, prior to the effectiveness of such amendment; provided, further, that to the extent any amendment or waiver, including any amendment or waiver of the Exhibits attached hereto, would disproportionately and adversely affect the rights of any Member of a class compared with the rights of any other Member of such class, such amendment or waiver may only be made by the Managing Member upon the prior written consent of such disproportionately and adversely affected Member; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no amendment, supplement, waiver or modification, including any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification effected by way of merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, may without the prior written consent of each such affected Member modify the limited liability of any Member, or increase the liabilities of any Member, in each case, without the prior written consent of each such affected Member.

 

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Section 11.3 Title to the Company Assets. The Company’s assets shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Unitholder, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets or any portion thereof. Legal title to any or all of such assets may be held in the name of the Company or one or more nominees, as the Managing Member may determine. The Managing Member hereby declares and warrants that any Company assets for which legal title is held in the name of any nominee shall be held in trust by such nominee for the use and benefit of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All the Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such assets is held.

Section 11.4 Remedies. Each Unitholder and the Company shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law.

Section 11.5 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 11.6 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or if such term or provision could be drawn more narrowly so as not to be illegal, invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall be so narrowly drawn, as to such jurisdiction, without invalidating the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 11.7 Counterparts; Binding Agreement. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and effective as to each Person who (a) executes this Agreement in the appropriate space provided in the signature pages hereto notwithstanding the fact that other Persons who have not executed this Agreement may be listed on the signature pages hereto and (b) may from time to time become a party to this Agreement by executing a counterpart of or joinder to this Agreement.

 

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Section 11.8 Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Whenever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict.

Section 11.9 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 11.10 Addresses and Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) telecopied to the recipient, or delivered by means of electronic mail (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if telecopied/emailed before 5:00 p.m. New York, New York time on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the address for such recipient set forth in the Company’s books and records, or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

Section 11.11 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in the Company’s Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the Indemnitees are intended third party beneficiaries of Section 6.1(b) and shall be entitled to enforce such provision (as it may be in effect from time to time).

 

40


Section 11.12 No Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 11.13 Further Action. The parties agree to execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 11.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

Section 11.15 Delivery by Electronic Means. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission in portable document format (pdf) or comparable electronic transmission, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or pdf electronic transmission or comparable electronic transmission to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

Section 11.16 Certain Acknowledgments. This Agreement shall be considered for all purposes as having been prepared through the joint efforts of the parties. No presumption shall apply in favor of any party in the interpretation of this Agreement or in the resolution of any ambiguity of any provision hereof based on the preparation, substitution, submission or other event of negotiation, drafting or execution hereof. Each Member and Unitholder acknowledges that it/he/she is entitled to and has been afforded the opportunity to consult legal counsel of its choice regarding the terms, conditions and legal effects of this Agreement, as well as the advisability and propriety thereof. Each Member and Unitholder further acknowledges that having so consulted with legal counsel of its choosing, such Member or Unitholder hereby waives any right to raise or rely upon the lack of representation or effective representation in any future proceedings or in connection with any future claim resulting from this Agreement or the formation of the Company.

 

41


Section 11.17 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

(a) Consent to Jurisdiction. Each Unitholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the State of Delaware and the state courts of the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each Unitholder further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States certified or registered mail (in each such case, prepaid return receipt requested) to such Unitholder’s respective address set forth in the Company’s books and records or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party shall be effective service of process in any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Unitholder irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the United States District Court for the State of Delaware or the state courts of the State of Delaware and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(b) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING THE COMPANY) HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES HEREUNDER.

Section 11.18 Representations and Warranties. By execution of this Agreement (including a Joinder hereto), each Member severally represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Such Member has full legal right, power, and authority to deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to perform such Member’s obligations hereunder and thereunder;

(b) This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Member enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws of general application relating to creditors’ rights or general principles of equity;

(c) Neither this Agreement nor the other Transaction Documents violate, conflict with, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default or an event of default under any other agreement of which such Member is a party; and

 

42


(d) Such Member’s investment in Units in the Company is made for such Member’s own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to the resale or distribution of such Units.

(e) To the extent that such Member is a partnership, grantor trust or S corporation, Treasury Regulations Sections 1.7704-1(h)(3)(i) and (ii) are not applicable to the interest of such Member and their beneficial owners.

Section 11.19 Tax Receivable Agreement. The Tax Receivable Agreement, the 2021 Exchange Agreement and the 2024 Exchange Agreement shall each be treated as part of this Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code, and Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and § 1.761-1(c) with respect to payments to a Member with respect to an Exchange (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) by such Member.

[Remainder of the Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signatures on the Following Page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC
By:  

The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a

Delaware corporation, as its Managing

Member

By:  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC., as a Member
By:  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MEMBERS:
PPZ, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:   Rhea Lamia
Title:   Manager
SLINGSHOT CONSUMER, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:   Bryan Freeman
Title:   Manager
DIVARIO VENTURES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:   Jim Foltz
Title:   Vice President — Business Ventures
STRAND EQUITY PARTNERS III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MEMBERS:
CPG SOLUTIONS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:   Andrew Stiffelman
Title:   Manager

 

Gerard Law

 

Akshay Jagdale

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MEMBERS:
EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF EXECUTIVE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF BLOCKER INC., a Delaware corporation
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MEMBERS:
Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Series Growth Company Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Growth Company Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Blue Chip K6 Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

MEMBERS:
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Consumer Staples Portfolio
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC: Fidelity U.S. Equity Central Fund – Consumer Staples Sub
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Securities Fund: Small Cap Growth Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Fidelity Securities Fund: Small Cap Growth K6 Fund
By:  

 

Name:   Chris Maher
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

Joinder

The undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of ____________, 2024 (the “Agreement”), and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement as a Member.

 

MEMBER:
[__________]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Address for Notices:  

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

THE DEBT OBLIGATIONS GOVERNED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (“OID”) FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, THE AMOUNT OF OID, THE ISSUE DATE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THESE DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE BORROWER PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.6 OF THIS AGREEMENT.

PMC Financial Services Group, LLC

Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:   Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:   The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:   3 Executive Campus, Suite 155 Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
Date:   September 20, 2024

WHEREAS, PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (the “Lender”) and Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), whose chief executive office is located at the above address, are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified prior to the Restatement Date, the “Existing Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which Lender made (a) Revolving Loans (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $49,995,514.17 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $1,654,120.87 (the “Existing Revolving Loan”), (b) the COI Equipment Term Loan (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $9,194,249.20 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $137,783.17 (the “Existing COI Equipment Term Loan”) and (c) the Term Loan B (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $96,206,741.20 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $4,336,833.75 (which amount is reflective of treating the accrued but unpaid 9.00% cash pay interest during the period from April 1, 2024 through September 20, 2024 as paid in kind) (the “Existing Term Loan B”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Lender desire to amend and restate the Existing Loan Agreement with respect to (a) the Existing Revolving Loans and the Existing COI Equipment Loan with this Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) and (b) the Existing Term Loan B with that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, between Borrower and Lender (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified, the “Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Lender desire to consolidate the Existing Revolving Loan and the Existing COI Equipment Loan into one term loan (the “Loan”).


THIS AGREEMENT is entered into on the above date between Lender, whose address is 3816 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807, and the Borrower. The Schedule to this Agreement (the “Schedule”) referred herein shall for all purposes be deemed to be a part of this Agreement, and the same is an integral part of this Agreement. (Definitions of certain terms used in this Agreement are set forth in Section 8 below.)

 

1. LOAN.

1.1 Loans. Lender hereby consolidates the Existing Revolving Loan and the Existing COI Equipment Loan into the Loan in the aggregate principal amount equal to $52,986,153.25.

1.2 Interest. The Loan and all other monetary Obligations shall bear interest at the rate shown on the Schedule, except where expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement. Accrued interest shall be payable monthly, on the last day of the month, and shall be charged to Borrower’s loan account (and the same shall thereafter bear interest at the same rate as the Loan).

1.3 Fees. Borrower shall pay Lender the fees shown on the Schedule, which are in addition to all interest and other sums payable to Lender and are not refundable.

1.3 Loan Requests(a) . To obtain the Loan, Borrower shall make a request to Lender by facsimile or telephone, such request to provide Lender with at least one Business Day’s notice. Loan requests received after 3:00 PM (California time) will not be considered by Lender until the second Business Day after such request. Lender may rely on any telephone request for the Loan given by a person whom Lender believes is an authorized representative of Borrower, and Borrower will indemnify Lender for any loss Lender suffers as a result of that reliance.

2. SECURITY INTEREST. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, to secure the payment and performance of all of the Obligations when due, each of Borrower and Holdings hereby grants to Lender a security interest in all of the following (collectively, the “Collateral”): all right, title and interest of Borrower and Holdings, respectively, in and to all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired and wherever located: all Accounts; all Inventory; all Equipment; all assets constituting Capital Expenditures; all Deposit Accounts (including, without limitation, the Designated Account and all funds maintained therein); all General Intangibles (including without limitation all Intellectual Property); all Investment Property; all Other Property; and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above, and all guaranties and security for any of the above, and all substitutions and replacements for, additions, accessions, attachments, accessories, and improvements to, and proceeds (including proceeds of any insurance policies, proceeds of proceeds and claims against third parties) of, any and all of the above, and all Borrower’s books relating to any and all of the above; provided, that in no event shall the “Collateral” include any Excluded Assets; provided, however, that the security interest of Lender shall immediately attach to, and the Collateral shall immediately include, any such asset (or portion thereof) upon such asset (or such portion) ceasing to be an Excluded Asset.

Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, during an Event of Default, monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Borrower, realization on the Collateral, setoff or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:

(i) FIRST, to all costs and expenses owing to Lender in connection with the Loan Documents;

(ii) SECOND, to premium (including without limitation, Applicable Premium) and fees incurred in connection with the Loans;

(iii) THIRD, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan;

(iv) FOURTH, to all unpaid principal owing on the Loan; and

(v) FIFTH, to all remaining Obligations.

 

 

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3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF HOLDINGS AND BORROWER.

In order to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement and to continue to make the Loans, each of Holdings and Borrower represents and warrants to Lender as follows, and each of Holdings and Borrower covenants that the following representations will continue to be true, and that Holdings (as applicable) and Borrower will at all times comply with all of the following covenants, throughout the term of this Agreement and until all Obligations have been paid and performed in full:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Authority. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be qualified and licensed to do business in all jurisdictions in which any failure to do so would result in a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance by Holdings and Borrower of this Agreement, and all other documents contemplated hereby (i) have been duly and validly authorized, (ii) are enforceable against Holdings and Borrower in accordance with their terms (except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally), and (iii) do not violate Holdings’ or Borrower’s articles or certificate of incorporation, or Holdings’ or Borrower’s by-laws, Holdings’ or Borrower’s partnership agreement or operating agreement (as the case may be), or any law or any material agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings or Borrower or their applicable property, and (iv) do not constitute grounds for acceleration of any indebtedness or obligation under any agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings or Borrower or their applicable property.

3.2 Name; Trade Names and Styles. The name of Holdings and Borrower set forth in the heading to this Agreement is its correct name. Listed in the Perfection Certificate are all prior names of Holdings and Borrower used in the last 5 years and all of Holdings’ and Borrower’s present and prior trade names. Each of Holdings and Borrower shall give Lender 30 days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Lender) before changing its name or doing business under any other name. Each of Holdings and Borrower has complied, and will in the future comply, in all material respects, with all laws relating to the conduct of business under a fictitious business name.

3.3 Place of Business; Location of Collateral. The address set forth in the heading to this Agreement is Borrower’s chief executive office. In addition, each of Holdings and Borrower has places of business and Collateral is located only at the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate. Each of Holdings and Borrower will give Lender at least 30 days prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Lender) before opening any additional place of business, changing its chief executive office, or moving any of the Collateral to a location other than Borrower’s Address or one of the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate.

3.4 Title to Collateral; Perfection; Permitted Liens.

(a) Except as set forth on the Perfection Certificate, each of Holdings and Borrower is now, and will at all times in the future be, the sole owner of all the Collateral, except for items of Equipment which are leased to Borrower. The Collateral now is and will remain free and clear of any and all Liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances and adverse claims, except for Permitted Liens. Lender now has, and will continue to have, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, a super-priority perfected and enforceable security interest in all of the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, and Holdings and Borrower will at all times defend Lender and the Collateral against all claims of others.

(b) Each of Holdings and Borrower has set forth in the Perfection Certificate all of Holdings’ and Borrower’s Deposit Accounts, and each of Holdings and Borrower will give Lender five Business Days advance written notice before establishing any new Deposit Accounts and, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, will cause the institution where any such new Deposit Account is maintained to execute and deliver to Lender a control agreement in form sufficient to perfect Lender’s security interest in the Deposit Account and otherwise satisfactory to Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

 

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(c) In the event that Holdings or Borrower shall at any time after the date hereof have any commercial tort claims against others, which it is asserting or intends to assert, and in which the potential recovery exceeds $250,000 (as determined by Borrower in good faith), Holdings or Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing and provide Lender with such information regarding the same as Lender shall request. Such notification to Lender shall constitute a grant of a security interest in the commercial tort claim and all proceeds thereof to Lender, and Holdings and Borrower shall execute and deliver all such documents and take all such actions as Lender shall request in connection therewith.

(d) None of the Collateral now is or will be affixed to any real property in such a manner, or with such intent, as to become a fixture. Holdings and Borrower are not and will not become a lessee under any real property lease pursuant to which the lessor may obtain any rights in any of the Collateral and no such lease now prohibits, restrains, impairs or will prohibit, restrain or impair Holdings’ and Borrower’s rights to remove any Collateral from the leased premises. Whenever any Collateral is located upon real property in which any third party has an interest, Holdings and Borrower shall, whenever reasonably requested by Lender, cause such third party to execute and deliver to Lender, in form acceptable to Lender, such waivers and subordinations as Lender shall specify.

3.5 Maintenance of Collateral. Each of Holdings and Borrower will maintain the Collateral in good working condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and Holdings and Borrower will not use the Collateral for any unlawful purpose. Holdings and Borrower will immediately advise Lender in writing of any material loss or material damage to the Collateral.

3.6 Books and Records. Holdings and Borrower has maintained and will maintain at Borrower’s Address complete and accurate, in all material respects, books and records, comprising an accounting system in accordance with GAAP.

3.7 Financial Condition, Statements and Reports. All financial statements now or in the future delivered to Lender have been, and will be, prepared in conformity with GAAP and, except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, now and in the future will fairly present, in all material respects, the results of operations and financial condition of Holdings and Borrower, in accordance with GAAP, at the times and for the periods therein stated. Between the last date covered by any such statement provided to Lender and the date hereof, there has been no Material Adverse Change.

3.8 Tax Returns and Payments; Pension Contributions. Each of Holdings and Borrower has timely filed all required tax returns and reports, and each of Holdings and Borrower has timely paid all foreign, federal, state and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions required to be paid by Holdings and Borrower, as applicable. Borrower is unaware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of Holdings’ or Borrower’s prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Holdings or Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower has paid all amounts necessary to fund all pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with their terms, and each of Holdings and Borrower has not withdrawn from participation in or permitted partial or complete termination of any such plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Holdings or Borrower, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other governmental agency.

3.9 Compliance with Law. Borrower has complied, and will comply, in all material respects, with all material provisions of all foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to Borrower, including, but not limited to, those relating to Borrower’s ownership of real or personal property, the conduct and licensing of Borrower’s business, and all environmental matters.

 

 

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3.10 Litigation. Except as set forth on the Litigation Annex, there is no material claim, suit, litigation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against or affecting Holdings or Borrower in any court or before any governmental agency (or any basis therefor known to Borrower). Borrower will promptly inform Lender in writing of any material claim, proceeding, litigation or investigation in the future threatened or instituted against Holdings or Borrower (in each case, if known to Borrower).

3.11 Use of Proceeds(a) . All proceeds of the Loan shall be used solely for Borrower’s working capital. Borrower is not purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and no part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used to purchase or carry any “margin stock” or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock,” or for any other purpose, in any such case, that would violate or be inconsistent with Regulations U or X.

3.12 Budget and Variance Reports. Each Budget delivered was prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed by the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made and upon information believed by the management of the Borrower to have been accurate based upon the information available to the management of the Borrower at the time such Budget was furnished. On and after the delivery of any Variance Report in accordance with this Agreement, such Variance Report shall be complete and correct and fairly represent in all respects the results of operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby and in the detail to be covered thereby.

3.13 Overdue Accounts Payable. Annex B sets forth a complete and correct list of all Outstanding Accounts Payable (including, without limitation the applicable vendor and outstanding balance in respect thereof) known to Borrower on the Restatement Date.

4. PREPAYMENTS OF THE LOAN.

4.1 Voluntary Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.1, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay the Loan in whole or in part, subject to the concurrent payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.3, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000.00 (or, if less, in the amount of the Loan outstanding), by providing an irrevocable written notice to Lender by 3:00 PM (New York time) at least one Business Day in advance of the date of such proposed prepayment; provided that any repayment or prepayment in full of the Loans and other Obligations hereunder shall be subject to the consent of Emblem.

4.2 Mandatory Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.2, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) Non COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale (excluding any sales of COI Equipment), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loans, the Emblem Facility and, solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

(b) COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale of COI Equipment, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loan.

(c) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds of the type described in clause (b) of the definition thereof in excess of $100,000, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to prepayment of the Loans, the Emblem Facility and, solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

 

 

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(d) Non-Permitted Debt. On the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness of Borrower (other than with respect to any Permitted Indebtedness), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loans, the Emblem Facility and, solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

4.3 Applicable Premium. If any Applicable Premium Event occurs, then Borrower shall pay to Lender, the Applicable Premium. In any such case, the Applicable Premium shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loan, which Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and secured by the Collateral, and constitutes liquidated damages, not unmatured interest or a penalty, as the actual amount of damages to Lender as a result of the relevant Applicable Premium Event would be impracticable and extremely difficult to ascertain. The Applicable Premium is provided by mutual agreement of Borrower and the Guarantors and Lender as a reasonable estimation and calculation of such actual lost profits and other actual damages of Lender. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that upon the occurrence of any Applicable Premium Event, the Applicable Premium shall be automatically and immediately due and payable and shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loan which Obligations are secured by the Collateral. The Applicable Premium shall also be automatically and immediately due and payable if the Obligations are satisfied, released or discharged by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. BORROWER, FOR ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF THE GUARANTORS, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THEY MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR OTHER LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH EVENTS, ANY RESCISSION OF SUCH ACCELERATION OR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY EVENT. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of the Guarantors, expressly agrees (to the fullest extent it and they may lawfully do so) that with respect to the Applicable Premium payable under the terms of this Agreement: (i) the Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business parties, ably represented by counsel; (ii) the Applicable Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then-prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (iii) there has been a course of conduct between Lender and Borrower and the Guarantors giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Premium; and (iv) Borrower and the Guarantors shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of and the Guarantors, expressly acknowledges that their agreement to pay the Applicable Premium as herein described is a material inducement to Lender’s agreement to enter into this Agreement and to extend the Loan to Borrower.

5. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF BORROWER.

5.1 Financial and Other Covenants. Borrower shall at all times comply with the financial and other covenants set forth in the Schedule.

5.2 Insurance. Borrower shall, at all times insure all of the tangible personal property Collateral and carry such other business insurance, with insurers reasonably acceptable to Lender, in such form and amounts as Lender may require in its sole and absolute discretion, and Borrower shall provide evidence of such insurance to Lender. All such insurance policies shall name Lender as loss or co-loss payee, and shall contain a lenders loss payee endorsement in form reasonably acceptable to Lender. If Borrower fails to provide or pay for any insurance, Lender may, but is not obligated to, obtain the same at Borrower’s expense. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Lender copies of all material reports made to insurance companies.

 

 

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5.3 Reports. Borrower, at its expense, shall provide Lender with the written reports set forth in the Schedule, and such other written reports with respect to Borrower as Lender shall from time to time specify in its sole and absolute discretion.

5.4 Access to Collateral, Books and Records. At reasonable times, and on two (2) Business Day’s notice, Lender, or its agents, shall have the right to inspect the Collateral, and the right to audit and copy Borrower’s books and records. Such inspections or audits shall be conducted no more often than four times during each calendar year, but nothing herein restricts Lender’s right to conduct such audits more frequently if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The foregoing inspections and audits shall be at Borrower’s expense and the charge therefor shall be $900 per person per day (or such higher amount as shall represent Lender’s then current standard charge for the same), plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

5.5 Negative Covenants. Except as may be permitted in the Schedule, Borrower shall not, without Lender’s prior written consent (in its sole and absolute discretion), do any of the following:

(a) merge or consolidate with another corporation or entity unless Borrower is the surviving entity and the security interest of Lender in the Collateral is unimpaired;

(b) acquire any assets except (i) assets acquired in the ordinary course of business and (ii) other asset acquisitions (including without limitation, any assets constituting Capital Expenditures) so long as the purchase consideration for all such assets in the aggregate does not at any time exceed $250,000;

(c) enter into any transaction with any of its Affiliates (other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $250,000, unless such transaction is upon terms that are not materially favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate;

(d) sell or transfer any Collateral, except for Permitted Dispositions;

(e) store any Inventory or other Collateral with any warehouseman or other third party unless approved by Lender;

(f) make any loans of any money or other assets or make any other Investments, other than Permitted Investments;

(g) (x) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness, (y) create incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any operating leases or finance leases or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any existing operating leases or financing leases (including, without limitation, the master lease agreements with Lender as in effect on the Restatement Date) and (z) guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to the obligations of another Person, provided, that the aggregate amount of all such Permitted Indebtedness (other than clauses (a) and (b) of the definition thereof), operating leases, financing leases, obligations, guarantees and liabilities shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;

(h) [reserved];

(i) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Liens other than Permitted Liens;

(j) pay or declare any dividends on, or distributions or tax distributions with respect to Borrower’s equity interests, or make any other distributions, directly or indirectly, with respect to any equity interest in Borrower;

(k) redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of Borrower’s stock or other equity securities, other than, (i) as required by the 2024 Exchange Agreement, (ii) as required by the 2021 Exchange Agreement or (iii) at any time on or after the Additional Loans Funding Date, and subject to the sole and absolute discretion of Lender, the Specified Use;

 

 

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(l) engage, directly or indirectly, in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in by Borrower and any complementary, ancillary, incidental, corollary or synergistic businesses and any reasonable extensions thereof;

(m) dissolve or elect to dissolve;

(n) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any procurement or vendor contract (x) with a term longer than one (1) month and/or (y) (i) with contract consideration in excess of $2,000,000 for chicken purchases and (ii) with contract consideration in excess of $250,000 for all other goods and services;

(o) enter into any new co-manufacturing contract or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any co-manufacturing contract whether existing on the Restatement Date or entered into thereafter;

(p) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any third-party labor contract whether existing on the Restatement Date or entered into thereafter;

(q) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, or take any action or allow to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to constitute or cause there to be a “Change of Control” under the Tax Receivables Agreement as in effect on the Restatement Date;

(r) make, change or rescind any material tax election, change any tax accounting method, take any more than ministerial act with respect to (i) the computation of the tax “capital accounts” of the Borrower, (ii) allocations of items of Borrower income, gain, expense or loss for tax “capital account” purposes or for tax purposes, (iii) the allocation of liabilities of the partnership under Section 752, or (iv) the tax reporting or tax positions of the Borrower, or change the Borrower’s independent accounting firm or amend, terminate or modify the retention arrangement with such firm;

(s) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify the Emblem Facility or any Loan Document (as defined in the Emblem Facility), in either case, in violation of the Intercreditor Agreements;

(t) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any Specified Agreement without the prior written approval of Lender;

(u) agree to or make the Specified Payments; or

(v) make any payments or expenditures that are not in compliance with the Approved Budget (subject to Permitted Variances); or

(w) form, incorporate or acquire any Subsidiary after the Restatement Date unless such Subsidiary (x) becomes a Guarantor by executing and delivering a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement and (y) grants to Lender a perfected, super-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all of its assets (other than Excluded Assets) by executing and delivering such security documentation requested by Lender, in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender and within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as Lender may agree) after the formation, incorporation or acquisition of such Subsidiary.

5.6 Litigation Cooperation. Should any third-party suit or proceeding be instituted by or against Lender with respect to any Collateral or relating to Holdings or Borrower, each of Holdings and Borrower shall, without expense to Lender, make available Holdings, Borrower and their respective officers, employees and agents and Holdings’ and Borrower’s respective books and records, to the extent that Lender may deem them reasonably necessary in order to prosecute or defend any such suit or proceeding.

5.7 Notification of Changes. Borrower will promptly, after becoming aware thereof, notify Lender in writing of (i) (x) any Default or Event of Default, (y) any “Default” or “Event of Default” under the Emblem Facility and the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement (in each case, as such terms are defined therein) (unless also constituting a Default or Event of Default hereunder) and (z) any “Default” or “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing under any agreement of the Borrower evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed money (in each case, as such terms are defined in, or such similar terms used in, the applicable definitive documentation for such Indebtedness), and in each case, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) any Material Adverse Change.

 

 

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5.8 Further Assurances. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees, at its expense, on request by Lender, to execute all documents and take all actions, as Lender, may, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem necessary or useful in order to perfect and maintain Lender’s super-priority perfected security interest in the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens and the Intercreditor Agreements), and in order to fully consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

5.9 Right to Appoint Observer. Holdings agrees that: (a) the Lender shall have the option and right to appoint one (1) representative (the “Observer”) to attend all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof in a non-voting, non-participating observer capacity; (b) any Observer appointed pursuant to this Section 5.9 may observe discussions of all matters brought to the Board or any committee thereof for consideration, but in no event shall the Observer (i) be deemed to be member of the Board or any committee thereof, (ii) have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Guarantors or their respective Affiliates or investors, or (iii) have the right to participate in any discussions, vote on, propose or offer any motions or resolutions to the Board or any committee thereof, or in any manner give instructions or directions to the Board, any committee thereof or any member thereof or determine Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any of the other Guarantors’ policies or business decisions; (c) Holdings shall provide to the Observer copies of any notices, minutes and consents, including draft versions, proposed written consents and exhibits and annexes to any such materials, in each case, to the extent provided to the Board members in their capacity as such (collectively, “Board Materials”), at substantially the same time and in the same manner as such information is delivered to the members of the Board; (d) the presence of the Observer shall not be taken into account or required for purposes of establishing a quorum; and (e) Holdings shall reimburse Lender for reasonable out of pocket expenses of the Observer (including, without limitation, expenses relating to attending board meetings or other events pertaining to the Borrower that such Observer attends); provided, however, that Holdings may withhold information and exclude the Observer from any meeting or portion thereof if the Board determines in good faith and upon the advice of counsel that such exclusion is necessary to preserve the attorney-client privilege or to avoid a conflict of interest. Holdings shall indemnify and provide for the advancement of expenses to the Observer to the same extent provided by Holdings to its directors. Holdings acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses constitute third-party rights extended to the Observer by Holdings and do not constitute rights to indemnification or advancement as a result of the Observer serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of Holdings or its Affiliates.

6. REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN.

6.1 Amortization. Borrower shall repay the outstanding Loan on the last Business Day of each January, April, July and October of each year (commencing January 31, 2025) and on the Maturity Date, in an amount equal to (i) in the case of such quarterly payments, 0.25% of the aggregate principal of the Loan outstanding immediately after the Restatement Date and (ii) in the case of such payment due on the Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Loan outstanding.

6.2 Maturity. To the extent not previously paid, all outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium (if any)) and other Obligations, shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

 

 

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7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

(a) any warranty, representation, statement, report or certificate made or delivered to Lender by Holdings, Borrower or any of their respective officers, employees or agents, now or in the future, shall be untrue or misleading in a material respect when made or deemed to be made; or

(b) Borrower shall fail to pay (i) when due, any principal of any Loan or any Applicable Premium or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the date due, any interest on any Loan or any fees, premium or other amount due hereunder; or

(c) there occurs a Budget Event; or

(d) (i) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (as applicable) or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.1, Section 5.5, any of the Financial Covenants set forth in the Schedule or Section 5 of the Schedule, (ii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 6(a) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for ten (10) Business Days or (iii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8(e) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (d) of this Section 7.1) and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(f) any levy, assessment, attachment, seizure, Lien or encumbrance (other than a Permitted Lien) is made on all or any part of the Collateral which is not cured within 10 days after the occurrence of the same; or

(g) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; or

(h) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in the Emblem Facility becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired and that is not otherwise waived by Emblem) the holder or holders of any the Emblem Facility or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause the Emblem Facility to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or

(i) the Specified Event of Default occurs; or

(j) dissolution, termination of existence, insolvency or business failure of Borrower or any Guarantor; or appointment of a receiver, trustee or custodian, for all or any part of the property of, assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the commencement of any proceeding by Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect; or

 

 

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(k) the commencement of any proceeding against Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect, which is not cured by the dismissal thereof within 30 days after the date commenced; or

(l) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any guaranty of the Obligations or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(m) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any pledge of any certificate of deposit, securities or other property or asset of any kind pledged to secure any or all of the Obligations, or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(n) Borrower makes any payment on account of any indebtedness or obligation, excluding trade payables and other ordinary course purchases, which has been subordinated to the Obligations other than as permitted in the applicable subordination agreement, or if any Person who has subordinated such indebtedness or obligations terminates or in any way limits such subordination agreement; or

(o) the occurrence of a Change of Control; or

(p) there shall be a change in the President, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer, and such person is not replaced with another person acceptable to Lender in its good faith business judgment within 30 days thereafter; or

(q) Holdings or the Borrower shall generally not pay its debts as they become due, or Holdings or the Borrower shall conceal, remove or transfer any part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors, or make or suffer any transfer of any of its property which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.1, once an Event of Default has occurred, it shall be deemed continuing regardless if later remedied or cured (unless Lender waives such Event of Default in its sole and absolute discretion).

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Lender, at its option, and without notice or demand of any kind (all of which are hereby expressly waived by Holdings and the Borrower), may do any one or more of the following, in each case, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) cease making Loans or otherwise extending credit to Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(b) accelerate and declare all or any part of the Obligations to be immediately due, payable, and performable, notwithstanding any deferred or installment payments allowed by any instrument or agreement evidencing or relating to any Obligation;

(c) subject to applicable laws, take possession of any or all of the Collateral wherever it may be found, and for that purpose each of Holdings and Borrower hereby authorizes Lender without judicial process to enter onto any of Holdings’ or the Borrower’s premises without interference to search for, take possession of, keep, store, or remove any of the Collateral, and remain on the premises or cause a custodian to remain on the premises in exclusive control thereof, without charge for so long as Lender deems it necessary, in its sole and absolute discretion, in order to complete the enforcement of its rights under this Agreement or any other agreement; provided, however, that should Lender seek to take possession of any of the Collateral by court process, each of Holdings and Borrower hereby irrevocably waives: (i) any bond and any surety or security relating thereto required by any statute, court rule or otherwise as an incident to such possession; (ii) any demand for possession prior to the commencement of any suit or action to recover possession thereof; and (iii) any requirement that Lender retain possession of, and not dispose of, any such Collateral until after trial or final judgment;

(d) require Holdings and Borrower to assemble any or all of the Collateral and make it available to Lender at places designated by Lender which are reasonably convenient to Lender and Holdings or Borrower, as applicable, and to remove the Collateral to such locations as Lender may deem advisable;

(e) complete the processing, manufacturing or repair of any Collateral prior to a disposition thereof and, for such purpose and for the purpose of removal, Lender shall have the right to use Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises, vehicles, hoists, lifts, cranes, and other Equipment and all other property without charge;

 

 

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(f) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, in its condition at the time Lender obtains possession of it or after further manufacturing, processing or repair, at one or more public and/or private sales, in lots or in bulk, for cash, exchange or other property, or on credit, and to adjourn any such sale from time to time without notice other than oral announcement at the time scheduled for sale. Lender shall have the right to conduct such disposition on Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises without charge, for such time or times as Lender deems reasonable, or on Lender’s premises, or elsewhere and the Collateral need not be located at the place of disposition. Lender may directly or through any affiliated company purchase or lease any Collateral at any such public disposition, and if permissible under applicable law, at any private disposition. Any sale or other disposition of Collateral shall not relieve Holdings or Borrower of any liability Holding or Borrower may have if any Collateral is defective as to title or physical condition or otherwise at the time of sale;

(g) demand payment of, and collect any Accounts and General Intangibles comprising Collateral and, in connection therewith, each of Holdings and Borrower irrevocably authorizes Lender to endorse or sign Holdings’ or Borrower’s (as applicable) name on all collections, receipts, instruments and other documents, to take possession of and open mail addressed to Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) and remove therefrom payments made with respect to any item of the Collateral or proceeds thereof, and, in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion, to grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and the like for less than face value; and

(h) demand and receive possession of any of Holdings’ and Borrower’s federal and state income tax returns and the books and records utilized in the preparation thereof or referring thereto.

All reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs, liabilities and obligations incurred by Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. Without limiting any of Lender’s rights and remedies, from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Obligations shall automatically bear interest at the Default Rate.

7.3 Standards for Determining Commercial Reasonableness. Each of Holdings, Borrower and Lender agree that a sale or other disposition (collectively, “sale”) of any Collateral which complies with the following standards will conclusively be deemed to be commercially reasonable:

(a) notice of the sale is given to Holdings or Borrower at least ten days prior to the sale, and, in the case of a public sale, notice of the sale is published at least five days before the sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale is to be conducted;

(b) notice of the sale describes the collateral in general, non-specific terms;

(c) the sale is conducted at a place designated by Lender, with or without the Collateral being present;

(d) the sale commences at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time);

(e) payment of the purchase price in cash or by cashier’s check or wire transfer, or by deferred payment obligation acceptable to Lender in its discretion, is required;

(f) with respect to any sale of any of the Collateral, Lender may (but is not obligated to) direct any prospective purchaser to ascertain directly from Borrower or Holdings (as applicable) any and all information concerning the same.

Lender shall be free to employ other methods of noticing and selling the Collateral, in its discretion, if they are commercially reasonable.

 

 

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7.4 Power of Attorney. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, without limiting Lender’s other rights and remedies, each of Holdings and Borrower grants to Lender an irrevocable power of attorney coupled with an interest, authorizing and permitting Lender (acting through any of its employees, attorneys or agents) at any time, at its option, but without obligation, with or without notice to Holdings or Borrower, and at Borrower’s expense, to do any or all of the following, in Holdings’ and Borrower’s name (as applicable) or otherwise, but Lender agrees that if it exercises any right hereunder, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner:

(a) execute on behalf of Holdings and Borrower any documents that Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem advisable in order to perfect and maintain Lender’s security interest in the Collateral, or in order to exercise a right of Holdings, Borrower or Lender, or in order to fully consummate all the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents;

(b) execute on behalf of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable), any invoices relating to any Account, any draft against any Account Debtor and any notice to any Account Debtor, any proof of claim in bankruptcy, any Notice of Lien, claim of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien, or assignment or satisfaction of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien;

(c) take control in any manner of any cash or non-cash items of payment or proceeds of Collateral; endorse the name of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) upon any instruments, or documents, evidence of payment or Collateral that may come into Lender’s possession;

(d) endorse all checks and other forms of remittances received by Lender;

(e) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest and adverse claim in or to any of the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same;

(f) grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and General Intangibles for less than face value and execute all releases and other documents in connection therewith;

(g) pay any sums required on account of Holdings’ and Borrower’s taxes or to secure the release of any Liens therefor, or both;

(h) settle and adjust, and give releases of, any insurance claim that relates to any of the Collateral and obtain payment therefor;

(i) instruct any third party having custody or control of any books or records belonging to, or relating to, Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) to give Lender the same rights of access and other rights with respect thereto as Lender has under this Agreement; and

(j) take any action or pay any sum required of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents.

Any and all reasonable sums paid and any and all reasonable costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations and attorneys’ fees incurred by Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be payable on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. In no event shall Lender’s rights under the foregoing power of attorney or any of Lender’s other rights under this Agreement be deemed to indicate that Lender is in control of the business, management or properties of Borrower or Holdings (as applicable).

7.5 Application of Proceeds. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, and except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, all proceeds realized as the result of any sale of the Collateral shall be applied by Lender to the Obligations, in such order as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Any surplus shall be paid to Borrower or other Persons legally entitled thereto; Borrower shall remain liable to Lender for any deficiency. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, if, Lender, in its sole and absolute discretion, directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of Collateral, Lender shall have the option, exercisable at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, of either reducing the Obligations by the principal amount of purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by Lender of the cash therefor.

 

 

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7.6 Remedies Cumulative. In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement, Lender shall have all the other rights and remedies accorded a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code and under all other applicable laws, and under any other instrument or agreement now or in the future entered into between Lender, Holdings and/or Borrower, and all of such rights and remedies are cumulative and none is exclusive. Exercise or partial exercise by Lender of one or more of its rights or remedies shall not be deemed an election, nor bar Lender from subsequent exercise or partial exercise of any other rights or remedies. The failure or delay of Lender to exercise any rights or remedies shall not operate as a waiver thereof, but all rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until all of the Obligations have been fully paid and performed.

8. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted thereunder) among Emblem and Lender, as lender under this Agreement, Borrower and the Guarantors and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted thereunder) among Emblem, Lender, as lender under this Agreement, Lender, as lender under the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, Borrower and the Guarantors and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

2024 Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among Holdings, Borrower, Emblem and Lender.

Account Control Agreement” means an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender that provides for Lender to have “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code or Section 8-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

Account Debtor” means the obligor on an Account.

Accounts” means all present and future “accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all accounts receivable and other sums owing to Borrower.

Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Net Income for such period, plus

(i) without duplication and solely to the extent already deducted in arriving at Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(a) consolidated interest expense,

(b) provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital,

(c) total depreciation and depletion expense,

(d) total amortization expense,

(e) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions;

(f) all extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring charges and expenses and restructuring costs (in each case, not associated with the Transactions); provided that all amounts which are added back to increase Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to this sub-clause (f) shall not be greater than 15.0% of Adjusted EBITDA for any applicable period; provided further that all reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the institutions and consultants set forth on Annex E added back pursuant to this clause (f) shall not be subject to the foregoing 15.0% cap;

 

 

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(g) other non-cash charges that occurred in such period that reduce Net Income in such period (excluding (I) charges that occurred in a prior or other period, (II) inventory write downs or write offs for materials or goods sold or for accounts receivable in such period, and (III) the difference between cash rent and straight-line rent);

(h) stock option, restricted or performance stock unit and other equity-based compensation expenses, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating Net Income; minus

(ii) without duplication, and solely to the extent included in arriving at Net Income in such period: all extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains increasing Net Income for such period (including any such non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash gain in any prior period) and any recognized income from the cancelation of accounts payable or other liabilities included in Net Income, subject to the Specified Deductions.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, a relative, partner, shareholder, director, officer, or employee of such Person, or any parent or subsidiary of such Person, or any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Applicable Premium” shall mean as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Event (as calculated by Lender) the premium required for Lender to realize a MOIC of at least 2.00x on the Loans made on the Restatement Date. For purposes of this definition, “MOIC” shall mean the multiple on invested capital realized by Lender in respect of its Loan calculated, in respect of any Loans repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of a date certain, as the principal amount of Loans repaid, prepaid or accelerated on such date plus all interest paid in cash on such Loans from the date of initial funding thereof through such repayment, prepayment or acceleration date (exclusive, for the avoidance of doubt, of any default interest, interest paid in kind, fees (including original issue discount and/or upfront fees), expense reimbursements and indemnity payments and any return on Class B Common Stock and Class C Units, or any Class A Units exercisable therefor) divided by the initial principal amount of the Loans so repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of such date (calculated exclusive of any original issue discount and/or upfront fees); provided that in no event shall (i) the MOIC be negative or (ii) Lender be required to make any payment to Borrower in connection with the MOIC.

Applicable Premium Event” means (a) any voluntary prepayment of all, or any part, of the principal amount of the Loans and any mandatory prepayment of the Loans, in each case, after the commencement of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; (b) the acceleration of the Loans as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; (c) the satisfaction, release, payment, redemption, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Loans in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law to Lender (whether directly or indirectly), in full or partial satisfaction of the Loans; (d) the substantial consummation of any plan of reorganization with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and (e) the termination of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law.

If an Applicable Premium Event occurs under clause (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, the entire outstanding principal amount of the Loans shall be deemed to be subject to the Applicable Premium Event on the date on which such Applicable Premium Event occurs.

Approved Budget” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(iii) of the Schedule.

Asset Sales” means any sale, lease, outbound Intellectual Property license, outbound Intellectual Property sublicense, transfer or other disposition by Borrower to any Person (including by way of redemption by such Person) of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other securities of, or equity interests in, another Person).

 

 

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Available Cash” means all cash held in Deposit Accounts of the Borrower subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Lender, or, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, Emblem, net of Overdue Accounts Payable and all other outstanding liabilities of Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Available Cash shall not include unused availability under this Agreement or any other revolving credit facility.

Average Monthly Cash” means for any calendar month ending after the Restatement Date (commencing with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024), the amount equal to the quotient of (i) the sum of Available Cash as calculated for each calendar day during such calendar month divided by (ii) the number of calendar days occurring during such calendar month.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership of Borrower as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. §1010.230.

Board” means the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of Holdings.

Board Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Borrower’s Address” has the meaning specified in Section 9.6.

Borrowing Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a).

Budget” means the 13-week statement of Borrower’s anticipated cash receipts and cash disbursements (including, without limitation, cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the 13 weeks ending after the Restatement Date (commencing Friday, October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), as set forth on a weekly basis, as may be updated from time to time by an Approved Updated Budget.

Budget Event” means (i) the actual amount of aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) during any Budget Testing Period exceeding the projected aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance and/or (ii) the actual amount of aggregate operating receipts during any Budget Testing Period being less than the projected aggregate operating receipts in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance.

Budget Testing Date” means, with respect to the Budget, each Wednesday of each calendar week occurring after the Restatement Date (commencing on October 16, 2024) and each Wednesday thereafter.

Budget Testing Period” means, the week period ending immediately prior to the Budget Testing Date (i.e., Sunday to Saturday).

Business Day” means for all purposes any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be in New York City a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other government action to close.

Capital Expenditures” means all expenditures made and liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed asset or improvement, replacement, substitution or addition thereto which has a useful life of more than one year and including, without limitation, those arising in connection with any lease of property by Borrower that, in accordance with GAAP, should be capitalized for financial reporting purposes and reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of Borrower.

 

 

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Capitalized Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person which, under GAAP, are or will be required to be capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with GAAP.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Restatement Date:

(x) there shall be a change in the record or beneficial ownership of an aggregate of more than 20% of the outstanding shares of stock of, or equity ownership interest in, Holdings, in one or more transactions, compared to the ownership of the same in effect on the date hereof, without the prior written consent of the Lenders (excluding any change in ownership from (i) the issuance of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units to Lender or Emblem representing up to 49.99% of the greater of (x) the equity ownership interests in the Borrower and the voting power in Holdings as of the date hereof and (y) the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings as of the Additional Loans Funding Date to Emblem and up to 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings to the Lenders, (ii) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement or (iii) any acquisition of shares of stock or equity interests in Holdings or Borrower by Lender or Emblem or any of their respective Affiliates) or (y) Holdings ceases to own, directly, beneficially, 100.0% of the issued and outstanding Class A equity interests of Borrower.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Holdings. “Class C Unit” means a Class C Unit of Borrower.

COI Equipment” means assets currently stored at 1820 Yeager Ave, LaVerne CA 91750 as set forth on Annex H.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 above.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default” means any event which with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Deposit Accounts” means all present and future “deposit accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all general and special bank accounts, demand accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

Designated Account” has the meaning set assigned to such term in the Emblem Facility.

Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

Emblem” or “Emblem Lenders” means, collectively, Emblem-RGF Main LLC, Emblem-RGF Executive LLC, and Emblem-RGF Blocker Inc. (and their successors and permitted assigns).

Emblem Facility” means the credit facility provided to the Borrower pursuant to the Emblem Loan Agreement.

Emblem Loan Agreement” means that certain Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among Holdings, Borrower, Emblem-RGF Main LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the Emblem Lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements.

Equipment” means all present and future “equipment” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all machinery, fixtures, goods, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), and any interest in any of the foregoing.

 

 

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Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Excluded Assets” means (i) any account exclusively used for funding payroll or segregating payroll taxes or funding other employee wage or benefit for the then current payroll period, (ii) zero balance accounts the balance of which is swept each Business Day to a Deposit Account subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Lender, (iii) trust, fiduciary or other escrow accounts established for the benefit of third parties in the ordinary course of business or in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments; (iv) any account that is not located in the United States or (v) the Designated Account.

Financial Covenants” means the financial covenants set forth in Section 5 of the Schedule.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America consistently applied.

General Intangibles” means all present and future “general intangibles” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all Intellectual Property, payment intangibles, royalties, contract rights, goodwill, franchise agreements, purchase orders, customer lists, route lists, telephone numbers, domain names, claims, income tax refunds, security and other deposits, options to purchase or sell real or personal property, rights in all litigation presently or hereafter pending (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), insurance policies (including without limitation key man, property damage, and business interruption insurance), payments of insurance and rights to payment of any kind.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any U.S. or foreign federal, state, provincial, territorial, municipal, local or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency, instrumentality or body, court, arbitrator or self-regulatory organization.

Guarantee Agreement” means that certain Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) among Holdings, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Lender.

Guarantors” means, collectively, (i) Holdings and (ii) each other Person who has guaranteed, or in the future guarantees, any of the Obligations.

Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

“including” means including (but not limited to).

Indebtedness” of any Person means:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money,

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments,

(c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person,

(d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, including earnouts (other than trade payables accrued in the ordinary course of business and that are not outstanding for a period of more than 180 days),

(e) all purchased money indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person,

(f) all net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding hedging agreements,

(g) the maximum amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations, all non-contingent obligations of such person in respect of letters of credit, and

 

 

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(h) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (g) above.

Inside Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Schedule.

Intellectual Property” means, collectively, all present and future intellectual property and proprietary rights in any jurisdiction throughout the word, including (a) copyrights, copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work of authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished, (b) Internet domain names, social media account identifiers, trade secret rights, including all rights to unpatented inventions and know-how, processes, production methods and confidential information; (c) mask work or similar rights available for the protection of semiconductor chips; (d) patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisionals, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same; (e) trademarks, service marks, trade styles, and trade names, whether or not any of the foregoing are registered, and all applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected or associated with and symbolized by any such trademarks; (f) computer software and computer software products; (g) designs and design rights; (h) technology; (i) all causes of action, claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment of any of the rights included above and all income, royalties, license fees damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under or with respect thereto; and (j) all licenses or user or other agreements granted to or by Borrower with respect to any of the foregoing.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively, the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement and the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement.

Inventory” means all present and future “inventory” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products, including without limitation such inventory as is temporarily out of Borrower’s custody or possession or in transit and including any returned goods and any documents of title representing any of the above.

Investment” means any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including stock, securities, partnership interest, limited liability company interest, or other interests), any acquisition by Borrower, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the equity interests of or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person, and any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person, including the creation or capital contribution to any wholly-owned or partially-owned subsidiary).

Investment Property” means all present and future investment property, securities, stocks, bonds, debentures, debt securities, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, options, security entitlements, securities accounts, commodity contracts, commodity accounts, and all financial assets held in any securities account or otherwise, and all options and warrants to purchase any of the foregoing, wherever located, and all other securities of every kind, whether certificated or uncertificated.

Lender” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, charge, hypothec, deed of trust, Lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset; and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

 

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Litigation Annex” means the litigation schedule attached hereto as Annex F on the Restatement Date (as such Annex F may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any outstanding claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings not disclosed to Lender that existed prior to the Restatement Date).

Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, any Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Perfection Certificate, the Budgets, the Variance Reports, and all other present and future documents, instruments and agreements between Lender and Borrower (or Guarantor, if applicable), including, but not limited to those relating to this Agreement, and all amendments and modifications thereto and replacements therefor.

Loan Parties” means Borrower and the Guarantors. As of the Restatement Date, the Loan Parties are Borrower and Holdings.

Material Adverse Change” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, or financial or other condition of Borrower, (b) a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations; or (c) a material impairment of the value or priority of Lender’s security interests in the Collateral.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than (i) the Obligations and (ii) the Obligations under the Emblem Facility) of Borrower in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000 (excluding ordinary course trade payables).

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Maximum Legal Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A of the Schedule.

Net Cash Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) cash payments (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by Borrower from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (1) income or gains taxes (but excluding any tax distributions) payable by the Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale, (2) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or the loans under the Emblem Facility) that, in the case of a Loan Party, is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Borrower in connection with such Asset Sale or for any other liabilities retained by Borrower associated with such Asset Sale, (4) bona fide selling fees, costs, commissions and expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes) and (5) Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the properties sold within 180 days of such Asset Sale; provided that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 180 days of such Asset Sale, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; (b) (i) any cash payments or proceeds received by Borrower (1) under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder arising after the Restatement Date or (2) as a result of the taking of any assets of Borrower by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (1) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Borrower in connection with the collection, adjustment or settlement of any claims of Borrower in respect thereof, and (2) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in preceding clause (i)(2)) including income taxes (but excluding tax distributions) paid or imminently payable by Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of assets for transfer upon a taking or condemnation; and (c) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds thereof, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

 

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Net Income” means, as calculated on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any period as at any date of determination, the net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period taken as a single accounting period.

Obligations” means the Loan and all present and future loans, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, guaranties, covenants, duties and indebtedness at any time owing by Borrower to Lender, whether evidenced by this Agreement or any note or other instrument or document, or otherwise, whether arising from an extension of credit, opening of a letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, whether direct or indirect (including, without limitation, those acquired by assignment and any participation by Lender in Borrower’s debts owing to others), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, including, without limitation, all principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium), attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, audit fees, letter of credit fees, collateral monitoring fees, closing fees, facility fees, auction fees, liquidation fees, appraisal fees, termination fees, minimum interest charges and any other sums chargeable to Borrower under this Agreement or under any other Loan Documents.

Observer” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

Other Property” means the following as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and all rights relating thereto: all present and future “commercial tort claims” (including without limitation any commercial tort claims identified in the Perfection Certificate), “documents”, “instruments”, “promissory notes”, “chattel paper”, “letters of credit”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “fixtures”, “farm products” and “money”; and all other goods and personal property of every kind, tangible and intangible, whether or not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

Outstanding Accounts Payable” means the accounts payable balances (including the vendors in respect thereof) of Borrower as of the Restatement Date as set forth on Annex B (as such Annex B may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule” means the payment plan and milestone dates for overdue accounts payable of Borrower as set forth on Annex C (as such Annex C may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Paydown Date” means the date on which Lender receives an amount equal to the Additional Commitment (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is an amount equal to $50,000,000 as of the Restatement Date as reduced from time to time by the amount of any Subsequent Understated AP Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) and any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility)), in each case funded under the Emblem Facility with the consent of the Lender, minus all fees and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 11 of the Schedule to the Emblem Facility, in each case, in accordance with the Approved Budget (as defined in the Emblem Facility) (such amount, the “PMC Minimum Paydown Amount”) consisting of direct or indirect proceeds from the Emblem Lenders (either by way of assignment of all or any portion of the Loans to any of the Emblem Lenders or by way of funding by any of the Emblem Lenders of loan proceeds to Borrower and repayment or prepayment by Borrower.

 

 

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Payment” means all checks, wire transfers and other items of payment received by Lender (including proceeds of Accounts and payment of the Obligations in full) for credit to Borrower’s outstanding Loan.

Perfection Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(i) of the Schedule.

Permitted Dispositions” means:

(i) the sale of finished Inventory and all other goods and services in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

(ii) ordinary course uses and transfers of cash and cash equivalents;

(iii) intercompany sales or dispositions of assets between Borrower and any Subsidiaries of Borrower in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(iv) subject to the prior written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, disposals of damaged, obsolete, used, worn out or surplus assets (including, without limitation, equipment and fixtures) no longer used or useful to the business of Borrower or economically impracticable to maintain;

(v) sales of property (including like-kind exchanges) to the extent that (x) such property is exchanged for credit (on a fair market value basis) against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (y) such property is sold or otherwise disposed of for fair market value and the proceeds of such sale or disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of similar replacement property;

(vi) leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of property or Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties;

(vii) Asset Sales with a fair market value less than or equal to $250,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year;

(viii) Asset Sales of COI Equipment for fair market value and for consideration less than or equal to $5,000,000.00; and

(viii) subject to the prior written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, Asset Sales so long as (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by Borrower), (2) no less than 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale shall be paid in cash or cash equivalents, (3) no Event of Default is continuing or would exist after giving effect thereto and (4) the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 4.2(a), provided, that the fair market value of all such Asset Sales in any fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

  (a)

[reserved];

(b) (i) the Obligations under this Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,986,153.25, (ii) the obligations under the Emblem Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the sum of (x) $110,000,000.00 plus (y) the amount of any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (as defined in the Emblem Facility) and any Subsequent Understated AP Loans (as defined in the Emblem Facility) from time to time made thereunder, and (iii) the obligations under the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,543,574.95, (in each case, plus any increases to principal as a result of any interest or fees paid in kind, as applicable and any Applicable Premium as defined herein or in the Emblem Facility or in the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement); and

(c) trade payables and other contractual obligations to suppliers and customers incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) Investments in Subsidiaries shown on the Perfection Certificate and existing on the date hereof;

(b) cash and cash equivalents;

 

 

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(c) Investments consisting of Deposit Accounts in which Lender has a super-priority perfected security interest (subject to the Intercreditor Agreements);

(d) Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; and

(e) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000.

Permitted Liens” means the following:

(a) Liens securing the Obligations;

(b) Liens on the Collateral, which may rank pari passu in right of security with the Liens securing the Obligations (other than the Liens on the Designated Account and all funds maintained therein), securing the Emblem Facility, and at all times subject to the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement;

(c) Liens on the Collateral, which must rank junior in right of security to the Liens securing the Obligations, securing the Amended and Restated Term Loan B Agreement, and at all times subject to the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement;

(d) any leases of specific items of Equipment listed in the Perfection Certificate;

(e) [Reserved];

(f) Liens for taxes not yet payable or contested in good faith by Borrower in accordance with Section 3.8; and

(g) additional security interests and Liens which are subordinate to the security interest of Lender and are consented to in writing by Lender, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion.

Permitted Disbursements Variance” means actual disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no greater than 115% (or such greater percentage determined by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected disbursements in the then in-effect Approved Budget (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule).

Permitted Receipts Variance” means actual cash receipts for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no less than 85% (or such lesser percentage determined by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected cash receipts in the then in-effect Approved Budget.

Permitted Variance” means, collectively, the Permitted Receipts Variance and the Permitted Disbursements Variance.

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

Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) by Holdings in favor of Lender.

PMC” means PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.

Restatement Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 9 of Schedule are satisfied or waived by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, which date was September 20, 2024.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Security Documents” means the Pledge Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered from time to time entered into by the Loan Parties.

Specified Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section Annex G.

 

 

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Specified Amounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Conditions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Deductions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Dispute” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Payments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Post-Closing Requirements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Use” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G. “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a Person of which more than 50% of the voting stock or other equity interests is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Affiliates of such Person.

Tax Receivables Agreement” means Amended and Restated Tax Receivables Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among the corporation, Lender, the TRA Holders (as defined therein), and Bryan Freeman, in his capacity as TRA Holder Representative (s defined therein) (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted herein.)

Transactions” means the transactions to occur pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the super-priority Liens pursuant to the Security Documents and the extension of credit hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof, (b) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing, (c) the amendment and restatement of certain warrants issued by Holdings to Lender, (d) the issuance of the Class B Common Stock and Class C Units to Emblem, and at Lender’s option and subject to certain conditions, (e) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and Class C Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction in the United States, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

United States” means the United States of America (including any State or territory thereof and the District of Columbia).

Variance Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6 of the Schedule.

Other Terms. All accounting terms used in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings given to such terms in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. All other terms contained in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings provided by the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent such terms are defined therein.

9.GENERAL PROVISIONS.

9.1 Computations. In computing interest on the Obligations, all Payments received after 12:00 Noon Pacific Time on any day shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, and Payments received by Lender (including proceeds of Receivables and payment of the Obligations in full) shall be deemed applied by Lender on account of the Obligations two (2) Business Days after receipt by Lender of immediately available funds. Lender shall not be required to credit Borrower’s account for the amount of any item of payment which is unsatisfactory to Lender in its good faith business judgment, and Lender may charge Borrower’s loan account for the amount of any item of payment which is returned to Lender unpaid.

9.2 Application of Payments. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, all payments with respect to the Obligations may be applied, and in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion reversed and re-applied, to the Obligations, in such order and manner as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

 

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9.3 Increased Costs and Reduced Return. If Lender shall have determined that the adoption or implementation of, or any change in, any law, rule, treaty or regulation, or any policy, guideline or directive of, or any change in, the interpretation or administration thereof by, any court, central bank or other administrative or governmental authority, or compliance by Lender with any directive of, or guideline from, any central bank or other Governmental Authority or the introduction of, or change in, any accounting principles applicable to Lender (whether or not having the force of law) shall (i) subject Lender to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to this Agreement or any Loan made hereunder, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Lender of any amounts payable hereunder (except for taxes on the overall net income of Lender), (ii) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against any Loan, or against assets of or held by, or deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, Lender, or (iii) impose on Lender any other condition regarding this Agreement or any Loan, and the result of any event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase the cost to Lender of making any Loan, or agreeing to make any Loan or to reduce any amount received or receivable by Lender, then, upon demand by Lender, Borrower shall pay to Lender such additional amounts as will compensate Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amount. All amounts payable under this Section shall bear interest from the date of demand by Lender until payment in full to Lender at the highest interest rate applicable to the Obligations. A certificate of Lender claiming compensation under this Section, specifying the event herein above described and the nature of such event shall be submitted by Lender to Borrower, setting forth the additional amount due and an explanation of the calculation thereof, and Lender’s reasons for invoking the provisions of this Section, and the same shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error.

9.4 [Reserved].

9.5 Monthly Accountings. Lender may provide Borrower monthly with an account of advances, charges, expenses and payments made pursuant to this Agreement if requested by Borrower. Such account shall be deemed correct, accurate and binding on Borrower and an account stated (except for reverses and reapplications of payments made and corrections of errors discovered by Lender), unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing to the contrary within 60 days after such account is rendered, describing the nature of any alleged errors or omissions.

9.6 Notices. All notices to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given either personally or by reputable private delivery service or by regular first-class mail, or certified mail return receipt requested, addressed or by electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by Lender (i) to the Loan Parties at the address shown in the heading to this Agreement, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 155 Cherry Hill, New Jersey 080023, attention: Jim Behling, Chief Financial Officer, mobile: 312.656.5810 (the “Borrower’s Address”), or (ii) to Lender at the address shown in the heading to this Agreement with a copy to Lender at 12243 Branford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352, Attention: T.C. Cheong with a further copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Winston & Strawn LLP, 800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400, Houston, TX 77002-2924: Attention: Ryan Hunsaker, Email: rhunsaker@winston.com, or (iii) for either party at any other address designated in writing by one party to the other party. All notices shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery in the case of notices personally delivered, or at the expiration of one Business Day following delivery to the private delivery service, or two Business Days following the deposit thereof in the United States mail, with postage prepaid.

9.7 Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, such defect shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect.

9.8 Integration. This Agreement and such other written agreements, documents and instruments as may be executed in connection herewith are the final, entire and complete agreement between Borrower and Lender and supersede all prior and contemporaneous negotiations and oral representations and agreements, all of which are merged and integrated in this Agreement. There are no oral understandings. representations or agreements between the parties which are not set forth in this Agreement or in other written agreements signed by the parties in connection herewith.

 

 

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9.9 Waivers; Indemnity. The failure of Lender at any time or times to require Borrower to strictly comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive or diminish any right of Lender later to demand and receive strict compliance therewith. Any waiver of any default shall not waive or affect any other default, whether prior or subsequent, and whether or not similar. None of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or knowledge of Lender or its agents or employees, but only by a specific written waiver signed by an authorized officer of Lender and delivered to Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower waives the benefit of all statutes of limitations relating to any of the Obligations or this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and each of Holdings and Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any commercial paper, instrument, account, General Intangible, document or guaranty at any time held by Lender on which Holdings and Borrower is or may in any way be liable, and notice of any action taken by Lender, unless expressly required by this Agreement. Each of Holdings and Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify Lender and its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, parent, directors, officers, employees, agents, and attorneys, and to hold them harmless from and against any and all claims, debts, liabilities, demands, obligations, actions, causes of action, penalties, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), of every kind, which they may sustain or incur based upon or arising out of any of the Obligations, or any relationship or agreement between Lender, Holdings or Borrower, or any other matter, relating to Holdings, Borrower or the Obligations; provided that this indemnity shall not extend to damages proximately caused by the indemnitee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the indemnity agreement set forth in this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and shall for all purposes continue in full force and effect.

 

9.10 Liability. NEITHER LENDER NOR ITS PARENT, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, MADE, CLAIMED, INCURRED OR SUFFERED BY HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PARTY THROUGH THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF LENDER, OR ITS PARENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS, BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL RELIEVE LENDER FROM LIABILITY FOR ITS OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. NEITHER LENDER NOR ITS PARENT, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF ANY FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION HAVING BEEN EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER ACT, OMISSION OR TRANSACTION.

9.11 Amendment. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, amended or otherwise modified, except in a writing executed by Borrower and Lender.

9.12 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance by Holdings and Borrower of each and every obligation under this Agreement.

 

 

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9.13 Attorneys Fees and Costs. Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all reasonable attorneys’ fees and all filing, recording, search, title insurance, appraisal, audit, and other reasonable costs incurred by Lender, pursuant to, or in connection with, or relating to this Agreement (whether or not a lawsuit is filed), including, but not limited to, any reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs Lender incurs in order to do the following: prepare and negotiate this Agreement and all present and future documents relating to this Agreement; obtain legal advice in connection with this Agreement or Borrower; enforce, or seek to enforce, any of its rights; prosecute actions against, or defend actions by, Account Debtors; commence, intervene in, or defend any action or proceeding; initiate any complaint to be relieved of the automatic stay in bankruptcy; file or prosecute any probate claim, bankruptcy claim, third-party claim, or other claim; examine, audit, copy, and inspect any of the Collateral or any of Borrower’s books and records; protect, obtain possession of, lease, dispose of, or otherwise enforce Lender’s security interest in, the Collateral; and otherwise represent Lender in any litigation relating to Borrower. If either Lender or Borrower files any lawsuit against the other predicated on a breach of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees, including (but not limited to) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the enforcement of, execution upon or defense of any order, decree, award or judgment. All attorneys’ fees and costs to which Lender may be entitled pursuant to this Paragraph shall immediately become part of Borrower’s Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations.

9.14 Benefit of Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives of Holdings, Borrower and Lender; provided, however, that Holdings and Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Lender, and any prohibited assignment shall be void. No consent by Lender to any assignment shall release Holdings or Borrower from its liability for the Obligations.

9.15 [Reserved].

9.16 Limitation of Actions. Any claim or cause of action by Holdings or Borrower against Lender, its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, based upon, arising from, or relating to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, or any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or relating hereto or thereto, or any other matter, cause or thing whatsoever, occurred, done, omitted or suffered to be done by Lender, its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, shall be barred unless asserted by Holdings or Borrower by the commencement of an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction by the filing of a complaint within one year after the first act, occurrence or omission upon which such claim or cause of action, or any part thereof, is based, and the service of a summons and complaint on an officer of Lender, or on any other person authorized to accept service on behalf of Lender, within thirty (30) days thereafter. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees that such one-year period is a reasonable and sufficient time for Holdings and Borrower, as applicable, to investigate and act upon any such claim or cause of action. The one-year period provided herein shall not be waived, tolled, or extended except by the written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion. This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

9.17 Paragraph Headings; Construction. Paragraph headings are only used in this Agreement for convenience. Holdings, Borrower and Lender acknowledge that the headings may not describe completely the subject matter of the applicable paragraph, and the headings shall not be used in any manner to construe, limit, define or interpret any term or provision of this Agreement. This Agreement has been fully reviewed and negotiated between the parties and no uncertainty or ambiguity in any term or provision of this Agreement shall be construed strictly against Lender, Holdings or Borrower under any rule of construction or otherwise.

 

 

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9.18 Public Announcement. Borrower hereby agrees that Lender may make a public announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and may publicize the same in marketing materials, newspapers and other publications, and otherwise, and in connection therewith may use Borrower’s name, tradenames and logos. Lender understands and acknowledges that Borrower may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws to publicly announce the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that Borrower shall not make any such public announcement unless Lender has provided its prior written approval of the form and substance of such public announcement (in its reasonable discretion).

9.19 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

9.20 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) Each of Holdings, Borrower and Lender irrevocably and unconditionally agree that they will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party hereto agrees that Lender retains the right to bring proceedings against any Loan Party in the courts of any other jurisdiction solely in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies to enforce its security interest in the Collateral created hereunder or under any other Security Document or as otherwise provided in the Guarantee Agreement.

(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.6. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

9.21 Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial. HOLDINGS, BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER PRESENT OR FUTURE INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT BETWEEN LENDER, HOLDINGS AND BORROWER, OR ANY CONDUCT, ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER OR ANY OF THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS OR ANY OTHER PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER, IN ALL OF THE FOREGOING CASES, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE.

 

 

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9.22 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by Lender and shall survive the making by Lender of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, regardless of any investigation made by such person or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein shall survive the Termination Date.

9.23 Withholding Taxes. Prior to Borrower making any payments to Lender, Lender shall have delivered to Borrower a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 of Lender. Borrower and Lender each hereby agree that each payment by Borrower under this Agreement shall, except as required by law, be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future taxes. In the event that Borrower is required to withhold any amounts in respect of taxes under applicable law, Borrower shall (i) withhold or deduct any taxes required to be withheld or deducted from any payment due hereunder and (ii) pay such additional amounts to Lender so that after taking into account all taxes withheld or deducted from payments to Lender (including on any additional amounts payable pursuant to this clause) Lender receives the amount that it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. Borrower shall pay to the appropriate Governmental Authority any such taxes withheld or deducted before penalties are payable thereon, and if any such penalties are payable, Borrower shall also make payment thereof when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority. Within thirty (30) days after each such payment of taxes or penalties, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a receipt evidencing such payment.

9.24 [Reserved.]

10. Amendment and Restatement. Each of the parties hereto agrees as follows:

10.1 this Agreement (including all Exhibits and Schedules) shall amend, restate and replace in its entirety the Existing Loan Agreement (including all exhibits and schedules attached thereto) with respect to the Existing COI Equipment Term Loan and the Existing Revolving Loan on the Restatement Date;

10.2 from and after the date first set forth above, all references to the “Loan Agreement” contained in the Loan Documents shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement and all references to any Article or Section (or subsection) of this Agreement in any other Loan Document shall be amended to become references to the corresponding provisions of this Agreement;

10.3 this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities of the parties under the Existing Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the date first set forth above and that remain outstanding as of the date first set forth above and all obligations under the Existing Loan Agreement (as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, replaced, expanded, extended or otherwise modified hereby on the date first set forth above) shall constitute obligations hereunder and shall continue to be valid, enforceable and in full force and effect and not to be impaired, in any respect, by the effectiveness of this Agreement; and

10.4 this amendment and restatement of the Existing Loan Agreement shall be limited as written and not be a consent to any other amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver or other modification of any other provisions under any Loan Documents, without regard to whether similar, and, except as expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all terms and conditions of the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect unless otherwise specifically amended hereby.

 

 

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11. Counterparts; Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

12. Additional Loans Funding Date under Emblem Facility. Each of Lender, Holdings and the Borrower agree that Lender shall have no consent rights over the funding of the Additional Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) on the Additional Loans Funding Date (as defined in the Emblem Facility).

 

 

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Borrower:

REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC

 

By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Holdings:

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.

 

By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Lender:

PMC Financial Services Group, LLC

 

By  

/s/ Walter E. Buttkus, III

Name:   Walter E. Buttkus, III
Title:   President

 

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PMC Financial Services Group, LLC

Schedule to

Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:    Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:      The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:   

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002

Date:    September 20, 2024

This Schedule forms an integral part of the Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) by and among PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (the “Lender”), The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), and Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”).

 

 

 

13. COMMITMENT

 

(Section 1.1):

 

As used herein, the term “Loan” means the loan made as a continuation of, and consolidation of, the Existing Revolving Loans and the Existing COI Equipment Loans in a principal amount equal to $52,986,153.25.

 

Any portion of the Loan that is repaid may not be reborrowed.

 

All payments by Borrower to Lender in respect of the COI Equipment Term Loan shall be made via ACH banking transfer to Lender’s bank account per written instructions that

14. INTEREST.

 

Interest Rate (Section 1.2):

 

The Loan outstanding from time to time shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to 15.00% which shall be paid in-kind, as further set forth in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Loan and all other monetary Obligations shall bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable Debtor Relief Laws) at a rate (the “Default Rate”) that is 5.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder which shall be payable in cash in immediately available funds on demand.


2A. USURY SAVINGS CLAUSE

 

Provisions Relating to Interest

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement regarding the rates of interest applicable to the Initial Loans, if at any time the amount of such interest computed on the basis of the interest rate set forth herein (the “Applicable Interest Rate”) would exceed the amount of such interest computed upon the basis of the maximum rate of interest permitted by applicable state or federal law in effect from time to time hereafter, after taking into account, to the extent required by applicable law, any and all fees and charges in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law provided for in this Agreement or in any other agreement between Borrower and Lender (the “Maximum Legal Rate”), the interest payable under this Agreement shall be computed upon the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate, but any subsequent reduction in the Applicable Interest Rate shall not reduce such interest thereafter payable hereunder below the amount computed on the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate until the aggregate amount of such interest accrued and payable under this Agreement equals the total amount of interest which would have accrued if such interest had been at all times computed solely on the basis of the Applicable Interest Rate.

 

No agreements, conditions, provisions or stipulations contained in this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement between Borrower and Lender or default of Borrower, or the exercise by Lender of the right to accelerate the payment of the maturity of principal and interest, or to exercise any option whatsoever contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Borrower and Lender, or the arising of any contingency whatsoever, shall entitle Lender to collect, in any event, interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate and in no event shall Borrower be obligated to pay interest exceeding such Maximum Legal Rate and all agreements, conditions or stipulations, if any, which may in any event or contingency whatsoever operate to bind, obligate or compel Borrower to pay a rate of interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate, shall be without binding force or effect, at law or in equity, to the extent only of the excess of interest over such Maximum Legal Rate. In the event any interest is charged in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate (“Excess”), Borrower acknowledges and stipulates that any such charge shall be the result of an accidental and bona fide error, and such Excess shall be, first, applied to reduce the principal then unpaid hereunder; second, applied to reduce the remaining Obligations; and third, returned to Borrower, it being the intention of the parties hereto not to enter at any time into a usurious or otherwise illegal relationship. Borrower recognizes that, with fluctuations in the Applicable Interest Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such an unintentional result could inadvertently occur. By the execution of this Agreement, Borrower covenants that (i) the credit or return of any Excess shall constitute the acceptance by Borrower of such Excess, and (ii) Borrower shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or equitable, against Lender, based in whole or in part upon the charging or receiving of any interest in excess of the maximum authorized by applicable law. For the purpose of determining whether or not any Excess has been contracted for, charged or received by Lender, all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by Lender in connection with this Agreement shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread in equal parts during the entire term of this Agreement.

 

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The provisions of this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into every document or communication relating to the Obligations which sets forth or prescribes any account, right or claim or alleged account, right or claim of Lender with respect to Borrower (or any other obligor in respect of Obligations), whether or not any provision of this Section 2A of this Schedule is referred to therein. All such documents and communications and all figures set forth therein shall, for the sole purpose of computing the extent of the liabilities and obligations of Borrower (or other obligor) asserted by Lender thereunder, be automatically recomputed by any Borrower or obligor, and by any court considering the same, to give effect to the adjustments or credits required by this Section 2A of this Schedule.

 

If the applicable state or federal law is amended in the future to allow a greater rate of interest to be charged under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents than is presently allowed by applicable state or federal law, then the limitation of interest under this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be increased to the maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable state or federal law as amended, which increase shall be effective hereunder on the effective date of such amendment, and all interest charges owing to Lender by reason thereof shall be payable upon demand.

15. RESERVED  

16. MATURITY DATE

 

(Section 6.1):

  As used herein, the term “Maturity Date” means (a) if the Paydown Date has not occurred, December 31, 2026 and (b) if the Paydown Date has occurred, the fifth anniversary of the Restatement Date; provided, that if the board of directors and stockholders of Holdings do not each approve the issuance of up to 49.9% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock (and corresponding Class C Units of RGF, LLC, if applicable) on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Restatement Date, the Maturity Date shall mean the six-month anniversary of the Restatement Date.

 

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17. FINANCIAL COVENANTS

 

(Section 5.1):

 

(a) Minimum Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Prior to the Paydown Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA (i) for the calendar months ending September 30, 2024, October 31, 2024, November 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, to be less than $1,000,000 for such calendar month and (ii) for any calendar month ending thereafter, to be less than $1,500,000 for such calendar month.

 

From and after the Paydown Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA for any fiscal quarter ending thereafter, to be less than $6,000,000 for such fiscal quarter.

 

(b) Minimum Daily Cash. Borrower shall not permit Available Cash as of 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day ending after the Restatement Date to be less than $12,500,000.

 

(c) Minimum Average Monthly Cash. Borrower shall not permit Average Monthly Cash for any calendar month ending after the Restatement Date (commencing with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024) to be less than $15,000,000 for such calendar month.

18. REPORTING.

(Section 5.3):

 

(a) Borrower shall provide Lender with the following:

 

(i) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day occurring after the Restatement Date, reporting on (x) daily production for the immediately preceding Business Day and (y) minimum daily Available Cash for the immediately preceding Business Day, in a form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(ii) by 5:00 PM New York time on Wednesday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing September 25, 2024), a report on weekly sales for the prior calendar week in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(iii) by 5:00 PM New York time on Friday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), an updated 13-week statement for the subsequent 13-week period (a “Proposed Budget”), which Proposed Budget shall modify and supersede any prior Budget upon the approval by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion (such Proposed Budget upon such approval by Lender, an “Approved Budget”);

 

(iv) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Budget Testing Date, (x) a report (each, a “Variance Report”) in form and substance satisfactory to Lender describing in reasonable detail Borrower’s aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements during the relevant Budget Testing Period as compared to the projected aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements provided by the then-current Budget for the same period (including breakdown by vendor and category) and (y) an analysis, certified by a senior financial officer of Borrower, demonstrating that a Budget Event shall not have occurred for such Budget Testing Period;

 

(v) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Friday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing September 27, 2024), an updated Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule in the same format as set forth on Annex C, which shall modify and supersede any prior Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule upon the approval by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

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(vi) as soon as available, within five (5) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, a report on minimum Average Available Cash for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(vii) as soon as available, and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, (x) monthly unaudited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (y) reporting on operating KPIs and (z) complete month-end physical inventory counts, in each case, for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(viii) as soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days following the end of each fiscal quarter of Holdings, quarterly financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the quarterly financial statements filed on form 10-Q with the SEC and accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which shall be certified by a financial officer of Holdings as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

 

(ix) as soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of Holdings’ fiscal year, annual audited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the annual audited financial statements filed on form 10-K with the SEC, which shall be audited by a “big-four” accounting firm or another nationally recognized accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Lender (and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness or any breach of a financial maintenance covenant or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly reviewed or audited by independent certified public accountants acceptable to Lender;

 

(x) no later than seventy-five (75) days prior to the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, annual operating budgets (including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements, by month) for the upcoming fiscal year of Borrower;

 

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(xi) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (vii), (viii) or (ix) above, a duly executed and completed compliance certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (xi) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants; and

 

(xii) any material report, certificate or other document provided to the Lender pursuant to the Amended and Restated PMC Facilities from time to time reasonably requested by Lender.

 

(b) Borrower will, on a date following the end of each calendar week (commencing with the first full calendar week ending after the Restatement Date), hold a weekly conference call at a time mutually agreed upon by Borrower and Lender), to discuss cash flows of Borrower and such other matters requested by Lender related the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower.

19. BORROWER INFORMATION:   Borrower represents and warrants that the information set forth in the Perfection Certificate is true and correct as of the date hereof.
20. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS  

(a) Subordination of Inside Debt. All present and future indebtedness of Borrower to its officers, directors, shareholders and Affiliates (collectively, “Inside Debt”) shall, at all times, be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to a subordination agreement satisfactory to Lender. Borrower represents and warrants that as of the Restatement Date there is no Inside Debt presently outstanding.

 

Prior to incurring any Inside Debt in the future, Borrower shall cause the person to whom such Inside Debt will be owed to execute and deliver to Lender a subordination agreement on satisfactory to Lender.

 

(b) Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks.

 

(a) Borrower hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower does not have any maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, that are registered (or are the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Copyright Office. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that Borrower will NOT register with the United States Copyright Office (or apply for such registration of) any of Borrower’s maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, unless Borrower has provided Lender not less than 30 days prior written notice of the commencement of such registration/application and Borrower has executed and delivered to Lender such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender) which Lender in its sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Copyright Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

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(b) Annex 1 sets forth under the name of Borrower a complete and correct list of all patents and trademarks of Borrower that are registered (or the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, upon Lender’s request therefor, promptly execute and deliver to Lender such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender) which Lender in its sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

(c) Borrower will: (x) protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, and trademarks; (y) promptly advise Lender in writing of material infringements, misappropriations or violations of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks of which Borrower is or becomes aware; and (z) not allow any material item of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Lender’s written consent.

 

(c) Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, as to any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts) maintained with any institution as of the date of this Agreement (in each case, other than Excluded Accounts), Borrower shall cause such institution, concurrently herewith, to enter into an Account Control Agreement in form acceptable to Lender in its sole and absolute discretion in order to perfect Lender’s first-priority security interest, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, in such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and grant Lender “control” (within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) over such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts). Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, from and after the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall not maintain any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts) with any bank, securities intermediary, or other institution unless Lender has received an Account Control Agreement duly executed by such party in favor of Lender covering such Deposit Account (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts), as the case may be.

 

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(d) Manufacturing Facility Standards. Borrower shall maintain and comply in all material respects with all applicable manufacturing facility standards, policies, laws and regulations, including, without limitation, such standards published from time to time by United States Department of Agriculture.

 

(e) Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall pay (or cause to be paid) in full and settle all overdue accounts payable, in each case, as set forth on, and on or prior to the dates applicable thereto on, the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

21. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO RESTATEMENT DATE  

The obligation of Lender to continue making the Loans on the Restatement Date is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions on or prior to the Restatement Date:

 

(a) Loan Documents. Lender shall have received this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement, the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement, and each other Loan Document identified by it to be delivered on the Restatement Date, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed and delivered by each party thereto.

 

(b) Emblem Facility. Lender shall have received true, correct and complete copies of the Emblem Loan Agreement and Security Documents (as defined in the Emblem Loan Agreement), in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect.

 

(c) Amendment to Master Lease Agreement. The Lender shall have received a true, correct and complete copy of that certain First Amendment to Master Lease Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date between the Lender and the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect..

 

(d) Opinions. Lender and its counsel shall have received a written opinion of White & Case, LLP, as New York counsel for the Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as Lender shall reasonably request.

 

(e) Secretary’s Certificate. Lender shall have received (1) copies of the organizational documents of each Loan Party and certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Restatement Date or a recent date prior thereto; (2) signature and incumbency certificates of each such Person of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (3) resolutions of the board of directors or similar governing body of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Restatement Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; (4) a good standing certificate (or equivalent certificate) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, each dated the Restatement Date or a recent date prior thereto.

 

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(f) Solvency Certificate. Lender shall have received a solvency certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Holdings confirming the solvency of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Restatement Date.

 

(g) Closing Certificate. Lender shall have received a closing certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower which shall include certifications to the effect that the conditions precedent set forth in clause (o) hereof have been satisfied on the Restatement Date.

 

(h) Perfection Certificate; Searches. Lender shall have received (i) a completed perfection certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender (the “Perfection Certificate”), duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby and (ii) the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent), tax and judgment, United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are Permitted Liens or have been released (or arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Lender for such release shall have been made.

 

(i) Perfection of Security Interests. Lender shall have received proper financing statements (Form UCC-1 or equivalent) authorized for filing under the UCC or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document and short-form intellectual property security agreements in proper form and authorized for filing under the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office, or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document.

 

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(j) Springing Account Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, the Lender shall have received Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, Lender and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule.

 

(k) Cash Control. The Borrower and Lender shall have terminated all existing account control agreements or other cash control arrangements in place over the Loan Parties’ Deposit Accounts.

 

(l) Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall have paid in full and settled all overdue accounts payable required to be paid in full and settled on the Restatement Date as set forth on the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

 

(m) Payment of Fees and Expenses. Lender shall have received all fees payable thereto on or prior to the Restatement Date and, to the extent invoiced prior to the Restatement Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of Winston & Strawn LLP).

 

(n) Approvals. All material approvals and material consents of any Governmental Authority required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by the Loan Parties party thereto and the consummation of the Transactions shall have been obtained.

 

(o) General Conditions. The following:

 

(i) no Material Adverse Change has occurred since the Restatement Date,

 

(ii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the making of the Initial Loans on the Restatement Date, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

(iii) the representations and warranties set forth herein and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Perfection Certificate) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Restatement Date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or similar language (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

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(p) 2024 Exchange Agreement. Borrower shall issue Class C Units to Emblem representing 19.99% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and agree to take all necessary actions, including scheduling a meeting to obtain a vote of Holdings’ stockholders, to approve the issuance of additional Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to Emblem cumulatively representing 49.99% of the greater of (x) the equity ownership interests in Borrower as of the date hereof or (y) the equity ownership interest in Borrower as of the date of the Additional Loans Funding Date and voting power in Holdings, approving the issuance of Class A Common Stock representing 25% of the voting power and equity interests of Holdings to Lender upon exercise of that certain Amended and Restated Warrant, dated as of the date hereof, issued by Holdings to Lender, and, at Lender’s option, approving the issuance of Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to Lender representing 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings.

22. POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS  

The Loan Parties shall comply with their obligations described in the following clauses (a) through (g), in each case, within the applicable periods of time specified therein (or such longer periods as the Lender) may agree in its sole and absolute discretion):

 

(a) Termination of UCC Filings. By not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have terminated (or caused the termination) of the UCC-1 financing statements identified on Annex I.

 

(b) Springing Account Control Agreements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, the Lender shall have received Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, Emblem, the Lender and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

(c) Insurance Certificates and Endorsements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, the Lender shall have received customary liability insurance and property insurance endorsements naming Lender, as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, and such other endorsements to the extent required by this Agreement in each case, with respect to the general liability and casualty insurance policies maintained by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

(d) SKU. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have (i) established (and shall thereafter maintain at all times until the Maturity Date) co-manufacturing capacity for all stock keeping units and (ii) delivered to Lender a certificate signed by a senior financial officer of Borrower certifying the foregoing in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

 

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(e) Engagements. The Borrower shall have engaged each of the companies set forth on Annex E (or such other companies acceptable to Emblem) for the purposes set forth on Annex E applicable thereto, in each case by the Additional Loans Funding Date or such other date as set forth on Annex E.

 

(f) Required Hedges. By no later than (i) the seventh (7th) day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 40% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender, (ii) the fourteenth (14th) day following the Restatement Date, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 60% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender and (iii) January 1, 2025, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain until the Maturity Date) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 70% of chicken purchases over the forward looking twelve-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender.

 

(g) Specified Post-Closing Requirement. The Borrower shall comply with the Specified Post-Closing Requirements in all respects.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page immediately follows]

 

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Borrower:     Lender:
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC     PMC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

    By  

/s/ Walter E. Buttkus, III

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer     Name:   Walter E. Buttkus, III
Title:   Chief Executive Officer     Title:   President
Holdings:      
THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.      
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

     
Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer      
Title:   Chief Executive Officer      

 

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Exhibit 10.3

Execution Version

NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, (I) THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS GRANTED TO THE APPLICABLE SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE (AS DEFINED IN THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT) PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY SUBJECT AND SUBORDINATE TO THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS GRANTED TO EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT UNDER AND PURSUANT TO THE SUPER-PRIORITY LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 (AS AMENDED, RESTATED, AMENDED AND RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME), AND THE OTHER SENIOR PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVES (AS DEFINED IN THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT), IF ANY, FROM THE BORROWER AND THE OTHER “GRANTORS” REFERRED TO THEREIN, IN FAVOR OF SUCH OTHER SENIOR PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVES (AS DEFINED IN THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT), IF ANY, PURSUANT TO THE BELOW-DEFINED JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, AND (II) THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE (AS DEFINED IN THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT) UNDER THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ARE SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS AND PROVISIONS OF THAT CERTAIN JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 (AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT”) AMONG EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC, AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT, PMC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC, AS INITIAL ADDITIONAL SENIOR PRIORITY COLLATERAL AGENT AND PMC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC, AS INITIAL SECOND PRIORITY COLLATERAL AGENT, AND CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS PARTY, OR THAT MAY BECOME PARTY, THERETO FROM TIME TO TIME. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT GOVERNING THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE (AS DEFINED IN THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT), THE TERMS OF THE JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN AND CONTROL.

THE DEBT OBLIGATIONS GOVERNED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (“OID”) FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, THE AMOUNT OF OID, THE ISSUE DATE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THESE DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE BORROWER PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.6 OF THIS AGREEMENT.

PMC Financial Services Group, LLC

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:    Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:    The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:    3 Executive Campus, Suite 155
   Cherry Hill, New Jersey 080023
Date:    September 20, 2024


WHEREAS, PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“Lender”) and Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company ( “Borrower”) are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified prior to the Restatement Date, the “Existing Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which Lender made (a) Revolving Loans (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $49,995,514.17 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $1,654,120.87 (the “Existing Revolving Loan”), (b) the COI Equipment Term Loan (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $9,194,249.20 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $137,783.17 (the “Existing COI Equipment Term Loan”) and (c) the Term Loan B (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) in a principal amount as of the Restatement Date equal to $96,206,741.20 and unpaid interest and expenses in the amount of $4,336,833.75 (which amount is reflective of treating the accrued but unpaid 9.00% cash pay interest during the period from April 1, 2024 through September 20, 2024 as paid in kind) (the “Existing Term Loan B”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Lender desire to amend and restate the Existing Loan Agreement with respect to (a) the Existing Revolving Loans and the Existing COI Equipment Term Loan with that certain Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among the Borrower, the Lender, and the other parties thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement”) and (b) the Existing Term Loan B with this Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, between Borrower and Lender (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified, this “Agreement”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Lender desire to convert the Existing Term Loan B into one term loan (the “Loan”).

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into on the above date between Lender, whose address is 3816 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807, and the Borrower. The Schedule to this Agreement (the “Schedule”) referred herein shall for all purposes be deemed to be a part of this Agreement, and the same is an integral part of this Agreement. (Definitions of certain terms used in this Agreement are set forth in Section 8 below.)

 

1. LOAN.

1.1 Loans. Lender hereby converts the Existing Term Loan B into the Loan in the aggregate principal amount equal to $100,543,574.95.

1.2 Interest. The Loan and all other monetary Obligations shall bear interest at the rate shown on the Schedule, except where expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement. Accrued interest shall be payable monthly, on the last day of the month, and shall be charged to Borrower’s loan account (and the same shall thereafter bear interest at the same rate as the Loan).

1.3 Fees. Borrower shall pay Lender the fees shown on the Schedule, which are in addition to all interest and other sums payable to Lender and are not refundable.

1.3 Loan Requests(a) . To obtain the Loan, Borrower shall make a request to Lender by facsimile or telephone, such request to provide Lender with at least one Business Day’s notice. Loan requests received after 3:00 PM (California time) will not be considered by Lender until the second Business Day after such request. Lender may rely on any telephone request for the Loan given by a person whom Lender believes is an authorized representative of Borrower, and Borrower will indemnify Lender for any loss Lender suffers as a result of that reliance.

 

 

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2. SECURITY INTEREST. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, to secure the payment and performance of all of the Obligations when due, each of Borrower and Holdings hereby grants to Lender a security interest in all of the following (collectively, the “Collateral”): all right, title and interest of Borrower and Holdings, respectively, in and to all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired and wherever located: all Accounts; all Inventory; all Equipment; all assets constituting Capital Expenditures; all Deposit Accounts (including, without limitation, the Designated Account and all funds maintained therein); all General Intangibles (including without limitation all Intellectual Property); all Investment Property; all Other Property; and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above, and all guaranties and security for any of the above, and all substitutions and replacements for, additions, accessions, attachments, accessories, and improvements to, and proceeds (including proceeds of any insurance policies, proceeds of proceeds and claims against third parties) of, any and all of the above, and all Borrower’s books relating to any and all of the above; provided, that in no event shall the “Collateral” include any Excluded Assets; provided, however, that the security interest of Lender shall immediately attach to, and the Collateral shall immediately include, any such asset (or portion thereof) upon such asset (or such portion) ceasing to be an Excluded Asset.

Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, during an Event of Default, monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Borrower, realization on the Collateral, setoff or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:

(i) FIRST, to all costs and expenses owing to Lender in connection with the Loan Documents;

(ii) SECOND, to premium (including without limitation, Applicable Premium) and fees incurred in connection with the Loans;

(iii) THIRD, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan;

(iv) FOURTH, to all unpaid principal owing on the Loan; and

(v) FIFTH, to all remaining Obligations.

3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF HOLDINGS AND BORROWER.

In order to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement and to continue to make the Loan, each of Holdings and Borrower represents and warrants to Lender as follows, and each of Holdings and Borrower covenants that the following representations will continue to be true, and that Holdings (as applicable) and Borrower will at all times comply with all of the following covenants, throughout the term of this Agreement and until all Obligations have been paid and performed in full:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Authority. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be qualified and licensed to do business in all jurisdictions in which any failure to do so would result in a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance by Holdings and Borrower of this Agreement, and all other documents contemplated hereby (i) have been duly and validly authorized, (ii) are enforceable against Holdings and Borrower in accordance with their terms (except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally), and (iii) do not violate Holdings’ or Borrower’s articles or certificate of incorporation, or Holdings’ or Borrower’s by-laws, Holdings’ or Borrower’s partnership agreement or operating agreement (as the case may be), or any law or any material agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings or Borrower or their applicable property, and (iv) do not constitute grounds for acceleration of any indebtedness or obligation under any agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings or Borrower or their applicable property.

3.2 Name; Trade Names and Styles. The name of Holdings and Borrower set forth in the heading to this Agreement is its correct name. Listed in the Perfection Certificate are all prior names of Holdings and Borrower used in the last 5 years and all of Holdings’ and Borrower’s present and prior trade names. Each of Holdings and Borrower shall give Lender 30 days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Lender) before changing its name or doing business under any other name. Each of Holdings and Borrower has complied, and will in the future comply, in all material respects, with all laws relating to the conduct of business under a fictitious business name.

 

 

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3.3 Place of Business; Location of Collateral. The address set forth in the heading to this Agreement is Borrower’s chief executive office. In addition, each of Holdings and Borrower has places of business and Collateral is located only at the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate. Each of Holdings and Borrower will give Lender at least 30 days prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Lender) before opening any additional place of business, changing its chief executive office, or moving any of the Collateral to a location other than Borrower’s Address or one of the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate.

3.4 Title to Collateral; Perfection; Permitted Liens.

(a) Except as set forth on the Perfection Certificate, each of Holdings and Borrower is now, and will at all times in the future be, the sole owner of all the Collateral, except for items of Equipment which are leased to Borrower. The Collateral now is and will remain free and clear of any and all Liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances and adverse claims, except for Permitted Liens. Lender now has, and will continue to have, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, a perfected and enforceable security interest in all of the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, and Holdings and Borrower will at all times defend Lender and the Collateral against all claims of others.

(b) Each of Holdings and Borrower has set forth in the Perfection Certificate all of Holdings’ and Borrower’s Deposit Accounts, and each of Holdings and Borrower will give Lender five Business Days advance written notice before establishing any new Deposit Accounts and, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, will cause the institution where any such new Deposit Account is maintained to execute and deliver to Lender a control agreement in form sufficient to perfect Lender’s security interest in the Deposit Account and otherwise satisfactory to Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

(c) In the event that Holdings or Borrower shall at any time after the date hereof have any commercial tort claims against others, which it is asserting or intends to assert, and in which the potential recovery exceeds $250,000 (as determined by Borrower in good faith), Holdings or Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing and provide Lender with such information regarding the same as Lender shall request. Such notification to Lender shall constitute a grant of a security interest in the commercial tort claim and all proceeds thereof to Lender, and Holdings and Borrower shall execute and deliver all such documents and take all such actions as Lender shall request in connection therewith.

(d) None of the Collateral now is or will be affixed to any real property in such a manner, or with such intent, as to become a fixture. Holdings and Borrower are not and will not become a lessee under any real property lease pursuant to which the lessor may obtain any rights in any of the Collateral and no such lease now prohibits, restrains, impairs or will prohibit, restrain or impair Holdings’ and Borrower’s rights to remove any Collateral from the leased premises. Whenever any Collateral is located upon real property in which any third party has an interest, Holdings and Borrower shall, whenever reasonably requested by Lender, cause such third party to execute and deliver to Lender, in form acceptable to Lender, such waivers and subordinations as Lender shall specify.

3.5 Maintenance of Collateral. Each of Holdings and Borrower will maintain the Collateral in good working condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and Holdings and Borrower will not use the Collateral for any unlawful purpose. Holdings and Borrower will immediately advise Lender in writing of any material loss or material damage to the Collateral.

3.6 Books and Records. Holdings and Borrower has maintained and will maintain at Borrower’s Address complete and accurate, in all material respects, books and records, comprising an accounting system in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

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3.7 Financial Condition, Statements and Reports. All financial statements now or in the future delivered to Lender have been, and will be, prepared in conformity with GAAP, and, except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, now and in the future will fairly present, in all material respects, the results of operations and financial condition of Holdings and Borrower, in accordance with GAAP, at the times and for the periods therein stated. Between the last date covered by any such statement provided to Lender and the date hereof, there has been no Material Adverse Change.

3.8 Tax Returns and Payments; Pension Contributions. Each of Holdings and Borrower has timely filed all required tax returns and reports, and each of Holdings and Borrower has timely paid all foreign, federal, state and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions required to be paid by Holdings and Borrower, as applicable. Borrower is unaware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of Holdings’ or Borrower’s prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Holdings or Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower has paid all amounts necessary to fund all pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with their terms, and each of Holdings and Borrower has not withdrawn from participation in or permitted partial or complete termination of any such plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Holdings or Borrower, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other governmental agency.

3.9 Compliance with Law. Borrower has complied, and will comply, in all material respects, with all material provisions of all foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to Borrower, including, but not limited to, those relating to Borrower’s ownership of real or personal property, the conduct and licensing of Borrower’s business, and all environmental matters.

3.10 Litigation. Except as set forth on the Litigation Annex, there is no material claim, suit, litigation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against or affecting Holdings or Borrower in any court or before any governmental agency (or any basis therefor known to Borrower). Borrower will promptly inform Lender in writing of any material claim, proceeding, litigation or investigation in the future threatened or instituted against Holdings or Borrower (in each case, if known to Borrower).

3.11 Use of Proceeds. All proceeds of the Loan shall be used solely for Borrower’s working capital. Borrower is not purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and no part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used to purchase or carry any “margin stock” or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” or for any other purpose in any such case, that would violate or be inconsistent with Regulations U or X.

3.12 Budget and Variance Reports. Each Budget delivered was prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed by the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made and upon information believed by the management of the Borrower to have been accurate based upon the information available to the management of the Borrower at the time such Budget was furnished. On and after the delivery of any Variance Report in accordance with this Agreement, such Variance Report shall be complete and correct and fairly represent in all respects the results of operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby and in the detail to be covered thereby.

3.13 Overdue Accounts Payable. Annex B sets forth a complete and correct list of all Outstanding Accounts Payable (including, without limitation the applicable vendor and outstanding balance in respect thereof) known to Borrower on the Restatement Date.

 

 

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4. PREPAYMENTS OF THE LOAN.

4.1 Voluntary Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.1, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay the Loan in whole or in part, subject to the concurrent payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.3, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000.00 (or, if less, in the amount of the Loan outstanding), by providing an irrevocable written notice to Lender by 3:00 PM (New York time) at least one Business Day in advance of the date of such proposed prepayment; provided that any repayment or prepayment in full of the Loans and other Obligations hereunder shall be subject to the consent of Emblem.

4.2 Mandatory Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.2, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) Non COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale (excluding any sales of COI Equipment), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the PMC Super-Priority Facility, the Emblem Facility and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date (as defined in the Emblem Facility), the Loan, on a pro rata basis.

(b) COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale of COI Equipment, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the PMC Super-Priority Facility.

(c) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds of the type described in clause (b) of the definition thereof in excess of $100,000, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the PMC Super-Priority Facility, the Emblem Facility and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date (as defined in the Emblem Facility), the Loan, on a pro rata basis.

(d) Non-Permitted Debt. On the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness of Borrower (other than with respect to any Permitted Indebtedness), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the PMC Super-Priority Facility, the Emblem Facility and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date (as defined in the Emblem Facility), the Loan, on a pro rata basis.

4.3 Applicable Premium. If any Applicable Premium Event occurs, then Borrower shall pay to Lender, the Applicable Premium. In any such case, the Applicable Premium shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loan, which Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and secured by the Collateral, and constitutes liquidated damages, not unmatured interest or a penalty, as the actual amount of damages to Lender as a result of the relevant Applicable Premium Event would be impracticable and extremely difficult to ascertain. The Applicable Premium is provided by mutual agreement of Borrower and the Guarantors and Lender as a reasonable estimation and calculation of such actual lost profits and other actual damages of Lender. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that upon the occurrence of any Applicable Premium Event, the Applicable Premium shall be automatically and immediately due and payable and shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loan which Obligations are secured by the Collateral. The Applicable Premium shall also be automatically and immediately due and payable if the Obligations are satisfied, released or discharged by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. BORROWER, FOR ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF THE GUARANTORS, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THEY MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR OTHER LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH EVENTS, ANY RESCISSION OF SUCH ACCELERATION OR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY EVENT. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of the Guarantors, expressly agrees (to the fullest extent it and they may lawfully do so) that with respect to the Applicable Premium payable under the terms of this Agreement: (i) the Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business parties, ably represented by counsel; (ii) the Applicable Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then-prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (iii) there has been a course of conduct between Lender and Borrower and the Guarantors giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Premium; and (iv) Borrower and the Guarantors shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of and the Guarantors, expressly acknowledges that their agreement to pay the Applicable Premium as herein described is a material inducement to Lender’s agreement to enter into this Agreement and to extend the Loan to Borrower.

 

 

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5. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF BORROWER.

5.1 Financial and Other Covenants. Borrower shall at all times comply with the financial and other covenants set forth in the Schedule.

5.2 Insurance. Borrower shall, at all times insure all of the tangible personal property Collateral and carry such other business insurance, with insurers reasonably acceptable to Lender, in such form and amounts as Lender may require in its sole and absolute discretion, and Borrower shall provide evidence of such insurance to Lender. All such insurance policies shall name Lender as loss or co-loss payee, and shall contain a lenders loss payee endorsement in form reasonably acceptable to Lender. If Borrower fails to provide or pay for any insurance, Lender may, but is not obligated to, obtain the same at Borrower’s expense. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Lender copies of all material reports made to insurance companies.

5.3 Reports. Borrower, at its expense, shall provide Lender with the written reports set forth in the Schedule, and such other written reports with respect to Borrower as Lender shall from time to time specify in its sole and absolute discretion.

5.4 Access to Collateral, Books and Records. At reasonable times, and on two (2) Business Days’ notice, Lender, or its agents, shall have the right to inspect the Collateral, and the right to audit and copy Borrower’s books and records. Such inspections or audits shall be conducted no more often than four times during each calendar year, but nothing herein restricts Lender’s right to conduct such audits more frequently if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The foregoing inspections and audits shall be at Borrower’s expense and the charge therefor shall be $900 per person per day (or such higher amount as shall represent Lender’s then current standard charge for the same), plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

5.5 Negative Covenants. Except as may be permitted in the Schedule, Borrower shall not, without Lender’s prior written consent (in its sole and absolute discretion), do any of the following:

(a) merge or consolidate with another corporation or entity unless Borrower is the surviving entity and the security interest of Lender in the Collateral is unimpaired;

(b) acquire any assets except (i) assets acquired in the ordinary course of business and (ii) other asset acquisitions (including without limitation, any assets constituting Capital Expenditures) so long as the purchase consideration for all such assets in the aggregate does not at any time exceed $250,000;

(c) enter into any transaction with any of its Affiliates (other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $250,000, unless such transaction is upon terms that are not materially favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate;

 

 

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(d) sell or transfer any Collateral, except for Permitted Dispositions;

(e) store any Inventory or other Collateral with any warehouseman or other third party unless approved by Lender;

(f) make any loans of any money or other assets or make any other Investments, other than Permitted Investments;

(g) (x) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness, (y) create incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any operating leases or finance leases or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any existing operating leases or financing leases (including without limitation, the master lease agreements with Lender as in effect on the Restatement Date) and (z) guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to the obligations of another Person, provided, that the aggregate amount of all such Permitted Indebtedness (other than clauses (a) and (b) of the definition thereof), operating leases, financing leases, obligations, guarantees and liabilities shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;

(h) [reserved];

(i) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Liens other than Permitted Liens;

(j) pay or declare any dividends on, or distributions or tax distributions with respect to Borrower’s equity interests, or make any other distributions, directly or indirectly, with respect to any equity interest in Borrower;

(k) redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of Borrower’s stock or other equity securities, other than, (i) as required by the 2024 Exchange Agreement, (ii) as required by the 2021 Exchange Agreement or (iii) at any time on or after the Additional Loans Funding Date, and subject to the sole and absolute discretion of Lender, the Specified Use;

(l) engage, directly or indirectly, in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in by Borrower and any complementary, ancillary, incidental, corollary or synergistic businesses and any reasonable extensions thereof;

(m) dissolve or elect to dissolve;

(n) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any procurement or vendor contract (x) with a term longer than one (1) month and/or (y) (i) with contract consideration in excess of $2,000,000 for chicken purchases and (ii) with contract consideration in excess of $250,000 for all other goods and services;

(o) enter into any new co-manufacturing contract or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any co-manufacturing contract whether existing on the Restatement Date or entered into thereafter;

(p) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any third-party labor contract whether existing on the Restatement Date or entered into thereafter;

(q) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, or take any action or allow to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to constitute or cause there to be a “Change of Control” under the Tax Receivables Agreement as in effect on the Restatement Date;

(r) make, change or rescind any material tax election, change any tax accounting method, take any more than ministerial act with respect to (i) the computation of the tax “capital accounts” of the Borrower, (ii) allocations of items of Borrower income, gain, expense or loss for tax “capital account” purposes or for tax purposes, (iii) the allocation of liabilities of the partnership under Section 752, or (iv) the tax reporting or tax positions of the Borrower, or change the Borrower’s independent accounting firm or amend, terminate or modify the retention arrangement with such firm;

(s) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify the Emblem Facility or any Loan Document (as defined in the Emblem Facility), in either case, in violation of the Intercreditor Agreements;

 

 

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(t) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any Specified Agreement without the prior written approval of Lender;

(u) agree to or make the Specified Payments; or

(v) make any payments or expenditures that are not in compliance with the Approved Budget (subject to Permitted Variances); or

(w) form, incorporate or acquire any Subsidiary after the Restatement Date unless such Subsidiary (x) becomes a Guarantor by executing and delivering a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement and (y) grants to Lender a perfected, security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all of its assets (other than Excluded Assets) by executing and delivering such security documentation requested by Lender, in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender and within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as Lender may agree) after the formation, incorporation or acquisition of such Subsidiary.

5.6 Litigation Cooperation. Should any third-party suit or proceeding be instituted by or against Lender with respect to any Collateral or relating to Holdings or Borrower, each of Holdings and Borrower shall, without expense to Lender, make available Holdings, Borrower and their respective officers, employees and agents and Holdings’ and Borrower’s respective books and records, to the extent that Lender may deem them reasonably necessary in order to prosecute or defend any such suit or proceeding.

5.7 Notification of Changes. Borrower will promptly, after becoming aware thereof, notify Lender in writing of (i) (x) any Default or Event of Default, (y) any “Default” or “Event of Default” under the Emblem Facility and the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement (in each case, as such terms are defined therein) (unless also constituting a Default or Event of Default hereunder) and (z) any “Default” or “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing under any agreement of the Borrower evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed money (in each case, as such terms are defined in, or such similar terms used in, the applicable definitive documentation for such Indebtedness), and in each case, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) any Material Adverse Change.

5.8 Further Assurances. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees, at its expense, on request by Lender, to execute all documents and take all actions, as Lender, may, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem necessary or useful in order to perfect and maintain Lender’s perfected security interest in the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens and the Intercreditor Agreements), and in order to fully consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

5.9 Right to Appoint Observer. Holdings agrees that: (a) the Lender shall have the option and right to appoint one (1) representative (the “Observer”) to attend all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof in a non-voting, non-participating observer capacity; (b) any Observer appointed pursuant to this Section 5.9 may observe discussions of all matters brought to the Board or any committee thereof for consideration, but in no event shall the Observer (i) be deemed to be member of the Board or any committee thereof, (ii) have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Guarantors or their respective Affiliates or investors, or (iii) have the right to participate in any discussions, vote on, propose or offer any motions or resolutions to the Board or any committee thereof, or in any manner give instructions or directions to the Board, any committee thereof or any member thereof or determine Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any of the other Guarantors’ policies or business decisions; (c) Holdings shall provide to the Observer copies of any notices, minutes and consents, including draft versions, proposed written consents and exhibits and annexes to any such materials, in each case, to the extent provided to the Board members in their capacity as such (collectively, “Board Materials”), at substantially the same time and in the same manner as such information is delivered to the members of the Board; (d) the presence of the Observer shall not be taken into account or required for purposes of establishing a quorum; and (e) Holdings shall reimburse Lender for reasonable out of pocket expenses of the Observer (including, without limitation, expenses relating to attending board meetings or other events pertaining to the Borrower that such Observer attends); provided, however, that Holdings may withhold information and exclude the Observer from any meeting or portion thereof if the Board determines in good faith and upon the advice of counsel that such exclusion is necessary to preserve the attorney-client privilege or to avoid a conflict of interest. Holdings shall indemnify and provide for the advancement of expenses to the Observer to the same extent provided by Holdings to its directors. Holdings acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses constitute third-party rights extended to the Observer by Holdings and do not constitute rights to indemnification or advancement as a result of the Observer serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of Holdings or its Affiliates.

 

 

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6. REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN.

6.1 [Reserved.]

6.2 Maturity. To the extent not previously paid, all outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium (if any)) and other Obligations, shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

(a) any warranty, representation, statement, report or certificate made or delivered to Lender by Holdings, Borrower or any of their respective officers, employees or agents, now or in the future, shall be untrue or misleading in a material respect when made or deemed to be made; or

(b) Borrower shall fail to pay (i) when due, any principal of any Loan or any Applicable Premium or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the date due, any interest on any Loan or any fees, premium or other amount due hereunder; or

(c) there occurs a Budget Event; or

(d) (i) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (as applicable) or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.1, Section 5.5, any of the Financial Covenants set forth in the Schedule or Section 5 of the Schedule, (ii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 6(a) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for ten (10) Business Days or (iii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8(e) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (d) of this Section 7.1) and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(f) any levy, assessment, attachment, seizure, Lien or encumbrance (other than a Permitted Lien) is made on all or any part of the Collateral which is not cured within 10 days after the occurrence of the same; or

(g) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; or

 

 

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(h) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in the Emblem Facility becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired and that is not otherwise waived by Emblem) the holder or holders of any the Emblem Facility or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause the Emblem Facility to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or

(i) the Specified Event of Default occurs; or

(j) dissolution, termination of existence, insolvency or business failure of Borrower or any Guarantor; or appointment of a receiver, trustee or custodian, for all or any part of the property of, assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the commencement of any proceeding by Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect; or

(k) the commencement of any proceeding against Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect, which is not cured by the dismissal thereof within 30 days after the date commenced; or

(l) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any guaranty of the Obligations or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(m) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any pledge of any certificate of deposit, securities or other property or asset of any kind pledged to secure any or all of the Obligations, or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(n) Borrower makes any payment on account of any indebtedness or obligation, excluding trade payables and other ordinary course purchases, which has been subordinated to the Obligations other than as permitted in the applicable subordination agreement, or if any Person who has subordinated such indebtedness or obligations terminates or in any way limits such subordination agreement; or

(o) the occurrence of a Change of Control; or

(p) there shall be a change in the President, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer, and such person is not replaced with another person acceptable to Lender in its good faith business judgment within 30 days thereafter; or

(q) Holdings or Borrower shall generally not pay its debts as they become due, or Holdings or Borrower shall conceal, remove or transfer any part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors, or make or suffer any transfer of any of its property which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.1, once an Event of Default has occurred, it shall be deemed continuing regardless if later remedied or cured (unless Lender waives such Event of Default in its sole and absolute discretion).

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Lender, at its option, and without notice or demand of any kind (all of which are hereby expressly waived by Holdings and the Borrower), may do any one or more of the following, in each case, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) cease making the Loan or otherwise extending credit to Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(b) accelerate and declare all or any part of the Obligations to be immediately due, payable, and performable, notwithstanding any deferred or installment payments allowed by any instrument or agreement evidencing or relating to any Obligation;

 

 

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(c) subject to applicable laws, take possession of any or all of the Collateral wherever it may be found, and for that purpose each of Holdings and Borrower hereby authorizes Lender without judicial process to enter onto any of Holdings’ or the Borrower’s premises without interference to search for, take possession of, keep, store, or remove any of the Collateral, and remain on the premises or cause a custodian to remain on the premises in exclusive control thereof, without charge for so long as Lender deems it necessary, in its sole and absolute discretion, in order to complete the enforcement of its rights under this Agreement or any other agreement; provided, however, that should Lender seek to take possession of any of the Collateral by court process, each of Holdings and Borrower hereby irrevocably waives: (i) any bond and any surety or security relating thereto required by any statute, court rule or otherwise as an incident to such possession; (ii) any demand for possession prior to the commencement of any suit or action to recover possession thereof; and (iii) any requirement that Lender retain possession of, and not dispose of, any such Collateral until after trial or final judgment;

(d) require Holdings and Borrower to assemble any or all of the Collateral and make it available to Lender at places designated by Lender which are reasonably convenient to Lender and Holdings or Borrower, as applicable, and to remove the Collateral to such locations as Lender may deem advisable;

(e) complete the processing, manufacturing or repair of any Collateral prior to a disposition thereof and, for such purpose and for the purpose of removal, Lender shall have the right to use Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises, vehicles, hoists, lifts, cranes, and other Equipment and all other property without charge;

(f) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, in its condition at the time Lender obtains possession of it or after further manufacturing, processing or repair, at one or more public and/or private sales, in lots or in bulk, for cash, exchange or other property, or on credit, and to adjourn any such sale from time to time without notice other than oral announcement at the time scheduled for sale. Lender shall have the right to conduct such disposition on Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises without charge, for such time or times as Lender deems reasonable, or on Lender’s premises, or elsewhere and the Collateral need not be located at the place of disposition. Lender may directly or through any affiliated company purchase or lease any Collateral at any such public disposition, and if permissible under applicable law, at any private disposition. Any sale or other disposition of Collateral shall not relieve Holdings or Borrower of any liability Holding or Borrower may have if any Collateral is defective as to title or physical condition or otherwise at the time of sale;

(g) demand payment of, and collect any Accounts and General Intangibles comprising Collateral and, in connection therewith, each of Holdings and Borrower irrevocably authorizes Lender to endorse or sign Holdings’ or Borrower’s (as applicable) name on all collections, receipts, instruments and other documents, to take possession of and open mail addressed to Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) and remove therefrom payments made with respect to any item of the Collateral or proceeds thereof, and, in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion, to grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and the like for less than face value; and

(h) demand and receive possession of any of Holdings’ and Borrower’s federal and state income tax returns and the books and records utilized in the preparation thereof or referring thereto.

All reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs, liabilities and obligations incurred by Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. Without limiting any of Lender’s rights and remedies, from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Obligations shall automatically bear interest at the Default Rate.

 

 

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7.3 Standards for Determining Commercial Reasonableness. Each of Holdings, Borrower and Lender agree that a sale or other disposition (collectively, “sale”) of any Collateral which complies with the following standards will conclusively be deemed to be commercially reasonable:

(a) notice of the sale is given to Holdings or Borrower at least ten days prior to the sale, and, in the case of a public sale, notice of the sale is published at least five days before the sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale is to be conducted;

(b) notice of the sale describes the collateral in general, non-specific terms;

(c) the sale is conducted at a place designated by Lender, with or without the Collateral being present;

(d) the sale commences at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time);

(e) payment of the purchase price in cash or by cashier’s check or wire transfer, or by deferred payment obligation acceptable to Lender in its discretion, is required;

(f) with respect to any sale of any of the Collateral, Lender may (but is not obligated to) direct any prospective purchaser to ascertain directly from Borrower or Holdings (as applicable) any and all information concerning the same.

Lender shall be free to employ other methods of noticing and selling the Collateral, in its discretion, if they are commercially reasonable.

7.4 Power of Attorney. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, without limiting Lender’s other rights and remedies, each of Holdings and Borrower grants to Lender an irrevocable power of attorney coupled with an interest, authorizing and permitting Lender (acting through any of its employees, attorneys or agents) at any time, at its option, but without obligation, with or without notice to Holdings or Borrower, and at Borrower’s expense, to do any or all of the following, in Holdings’ and Borrower’s name (as applicable) or otherwise, but Lender agrees that if it exercises any right hereunder, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner:

(a) execute on behalf of Holdings and Borrower any documents that Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem advisable in order to perfect and maintain Lender’s security interest in the Collateral, or in order to exercise a right of Holdings, Borrower or Lender, or in order to fully consummate all the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents;

(b) execute on behalf of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable), any invoices relating to any Account, any draft against any Account Debtor and any notice to any Account Debtor, any proof of claim in bankruptcy, any Notice of Lien, claim of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien, or assignment or satisfaction of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien;

(c) take control in any manner of any cash or non-cash items of payment or proceeds of Collateral; endorse the name of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) upon any instruments, or documents, evidence of payment or Collateral that may come into Lender’s possession;

(d) endorse all checks and other forms of remittances received by Lender;

(e) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest and adverse claim in or to any of the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same;

(f) grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and General Intangibles for less than face value and execute all releases and other documents in connection therewith;

(g) pay any sums required on account of Holdings’ and Borrower’s taxes or to secure the release of any Liens therefor, or both;

(h) settle and adjust, and give releases of, any insurance claim that relates to any of the Collateral and obtain payment therefor;

 

 

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(i) instruct any third party having custody or control of any books or records belonging to, or relating to, Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) to give Lender the same rights of access and other rights with respect thereto as Lender has under this Agreement; and

(j) take any action or pay any sum required of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents.

Any and all reasonable sums paid and any and all reasonable costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations and attorneys’ fees incurred by Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be payable on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. In no event shall Lender’s rights under the foregoing power of attorney or any of Lender’s other rights under this Agreement be deemed to indicate that Lender is in control of the business, management or properties of Borrower or Holdings (as applicable).

7.5 Application of Proceeds. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, and except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, all proceeds realized as the result of any sale of the Collateral shall be applied by Lender to the Obligations, in such order as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Any surplus shall be paid to Borrower or other Persons legally entitled thereto; Borrower shall remain liable to Lender for any deficiency. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, if, Lender, in its sole and absolute discretion, directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of Collateral, Lender shall have the option, exercisable at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, of either reducing the Obligations by the principal amount of purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by Lender of the cash therefor.

7.6 Remedies Cumulative. In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement, Lender shall have all the other rights and remedies accorded a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code and under all other applicable laws, and under any other instrument or agreement now or in the future entered into between Lender, Holdings and/or Borrower, and all of such rights and remedies are cumulative and none is exclusive. Exercise or partial exercise by Lender of one or more of its rights or remedies shall not be deemed an election, nor bar Lender from subsequent exercise or partial exercise of any other rights or remedies. The failure or delay of Lender to exercise any rights or remedies shall not operate as a waiver thereof, but all rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until all of the Obligations have been fully paid and performed.

8. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted thereunder) among Emblem and Lender, as lender under the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement, Borrower and the Guarantors and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the legend hereto.

2024 Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among Holdings, Borrower, Emblem and Lender.

Account Control Agreement” means an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender that provides for Lender to have “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code or Section 8-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

Account Debtor” means the obligor on an Account.

Accounts” means all present and future “accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all accounts receivable and other sums owing to Borrower.

 

 

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Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Net Income for such period, plus

(i) without duplication and solely to the extent already deducted in arriving at Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(a) consolidated interest expense,

(b) provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital,

(c) total depreciation and depletion expense,

(d) total amortization expense,

(e) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions;

(f) all extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring charges and expenses and restructuring costs (in each case, not associated with the Transactions); provided that all amounts which are added back to increase Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to this sub-clause (f) shall not be greater than 15.0% of Adjusted EBITDA for any applicable period; provided further that all reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the institutions and consultants set forth on Annex E added back pursuant to this clause (f) shall not be subject to the foregoing 15.0% cap;

(g) other non-cash charges that occurred in such period that reduce Net Income in such period (excluding (I) charges that occurred in a prior or other period, (II) inventory write downs or write offs for materials or goods sold or for accounts receivable in such period and (III) the difference between cash rent and straight-line rent);

(h) stock option, restricted or performance stock unit and other equity-based compensation expenses, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating Net Income; minus

(ii) without duplication, and solely to the extent included in arriving at Net Income in such period: all extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains increasing Net Income for such period (including any such non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash gain in any prior period) and any recognized income from the cancelation of accounts payable or other liabilities included in Net Income, subject to the Specified Deductions.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, a relative, partner, shareholder, director, officer, or employee of such Person, or any parent or subsidiary of such Person, or any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Applicable Premium” shall mean as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Event (as calculated by Lender) the premium required for Lender to realize a MOIC of at least 2.00x on the Loan outstanding on the Restatement Date. For purposes of this definition, “MOIC” shall mean the multiple on invested capital realized by Lender in respect of its Loan calculated, in respect of any Loan repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of a date certain, as the principal amount of Loan repaid, prepaid or accelerated on such date plus all interest paid in cash on such Loans from the date of initial funding thereof through such repayment, prepayment or acceleration date (exclusive, for the avoidance of doubt, of any default interest, interest paid in kind, fees (including original issue discount and/or upfront fees), expense reimbursements and indemnity payments and any return on Class B Common Stock and Class C Units, or any Class A Units exercisable therefor) divided by the initial principal amount of the Loans so repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of such date (calculated exclusive of any original issue discount and/or upfront fees); provided that in no event shall (i) the MOIC be negative or (ii) Lender be required to make any payment to Borrower in connection with the MOIC.

 

 

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Applicable Premium Event” means (a) any voluntary prepayment of all, or any part, of the principal amount of the Loan and any mandatory prepayment of the Loan, in each case, after the commencement of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; (b) the acceleration of the Loan as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; (c) the satisfaction, release, payment, redemption, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Loan in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law to Lender (whether directly or indirectly), in full or partial satisfaction of the Loan; (d) the substantial consummation of any plan of reorganization with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and (e) the termination of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law.

If an Applicable Premium Event occurs under clause (b), (c) or (e) above, the entire outstanding principal amount of the Loan shall be deemed to be subject to the Applicable Premium Event on the date on which such Applicable Premium Event occurs.

Approved Budget” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(iii) of the Schedule.

Asset Sales” means any sale, lease, outbound Intellectual Property license, outbound Intellectual Property sublicense, transfer or other disposition by Borrower to any Person (including by way of redemption by such Person) of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other securities of, or equity interests in, another Person).

Available Cash” means all cash held in Deposit Accounts of the Borrower subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Lender, or, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, Emblem, net of Overdue Accounts Payable and all other outstanding liabilities of Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Available Cash shall not include unused availability under the Amended and Restated PMC Super Priority Facility or any other revolving credit facility.

Average Monthly Cash” means for any calendar month ending after the Restatement Date (commencing with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024), the amount equal to the quotient of (i) the sum of Available Cash as calculated for each calendar day during such calendar month divided by (ii) the number of calendar days occurring during such calendar month.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership of Borrower as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. §1010.230.

Board” means the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of Holdings.

Board Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Borrower’s Address” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4.

Borrowing Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a).

Budget” means the 13-week statement of Borrower’s anticipated cash receipts and cash disbursements (including, without limitation, cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the 13 weeks ending after the Restatement Date (commencing Friday, October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), as set forth on a weekly basis, as may be updated from time to time by an Approved Updated Budget.

 

 

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Budget Event” means (i) the actual amount of aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) during any Budget Testing Period exceeding the projected aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance and/or (ii) the actual amount of aggregate operating receipts during any Budget Testing Period being less than the projected aggregate operating receipts in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance..

Budget Testing Date” means, with respect to the Budget, each Wednesday of each calendar week occurring after the Restatement Date (commencing on October 16, 2024 and each Wednesday thereafter.

Budget Testing Period” means, the week period ending immediately prior to the Budget Testing Date (i.e., Sunday to Saturday).

Business Day” means for all purposes any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be in New York City a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other government action to close.

Capital Expenditures” means all expenditures made and liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed asset or improvement, replacement, substitution or addition thereto which has a useful life of more than one year and including, without limitation, those arising in connection with any lease of property by Borrower that, in accordance with GAAP, should be capitalized for financial reporting purposes and reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of Borrower.

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person which, under GAAP, are or will be required to be capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with GAAP.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Restatement Date:

(x) there shall be a change in the record or beneficial ownership of an aggregate of more than 20% of the outstanding shares of stock of, or equity ownership interest in, Holdings, in one or more transactions, compared to the ownership of the same in effect on the date hereof, without the prior written consent of the Lenders (excluding any change in ownership from (i) the issuance of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units to Lender or Emblem representing up to 49.99% of the greater of (x) the equity ownership interests in the Borrower and the voting power in Holdings as of the date hereof and (y) the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings as of the Additional Loans Funding Date to Emblem and up to 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings to the Lenders, (ii) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement or (iii) any acquisition of shares of stock or equity interests in Holdings or Borrower by Lender or Emblem or any of their respective Affiliates) or

(y) Holdings ceases to own, directly, beneficially, 100.0% of the issued and outstanding Class A equity interests of Borrower.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Holdings.

Class C Unit” means a Class C Unit of Borrower.

COI Equipment” means assets currently stored at 1820 Yeager Ave, LaVerne CA 91750 as set forth on Annex H.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 above.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

 

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Default” means any event which with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Deposit Accounts” means all present and future “deposit accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all general and special bank accounts, demand accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

Designated Account” has the meaning set assigned to such term in the Emblem Facility.

Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

Emblem” or “Emblem Lenders” means, collectively, Emblem-RGF Main LLC, Emblem-RGF Executive LLC and Emblem-RGF Blocker Inc. (and their successors and permitted assigns).

Emblem Facility” means the credit facility provided to the Borrower pursuant to the Emblem Loan Agreement.

Emblem Loan Agreement” means that certain Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among Holdings, Borrower, Emblem-RGF Main LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the Emblem Lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements.

Equipment” means all present and future “equipment” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all machinery, fixtures, goods, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), and any interest in any of the foregoing.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Excluded Assets” means (i) any account exclusively used for funding payroll or segregating payroll taxes or funding other employee wage or benefit for the then current payroll period, (ii) zero balance accounts the balance of which is swept each Business Day to a Deposit Account subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Lender, (iii) trust, fiduciary or other escrow accounts established for the benefit of third parties in the ordinary course of business or in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments, (iv) any account that is not located in the United States or (v) the Designated Account.

Financial Covenants” means the financial covenants set forth in Section 5 of the Schedule.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America consistently applied.

General Intangibles” means all present and future “general intangibles” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all Intellectual Property, payment intangibles, royalties, contract rights, goodwill, franchise agreements, purchase orders, customer lists, route lists, telephone numbers, domain names, claims, income tax refunds, security and other deposits, options to purchase or sell real or personal property, rights in all litigation presently or hereafter pending (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), insurance policies (including without limitation key man, property damage, and business interruption insurance), payments of insurance and rights to payment of any kind.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any U.S. or foreign federal, state, provincial, territorial, municipal, local or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency, instrumentality or body, court, arbitrator or self-regulatory organization.

 

 

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Guarantee Agreement” means that certain Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) among Holdings, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Lender.

Guarantors” means, collectively, (i) Holdings and (ii) each other Person who has guaranteed, or in the future guarantees, any of the Obligations.

Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

“including” means including (but not limited to).

Indebtedness” of any Person means:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money,

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments,

(c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person,

(d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, including earnouts (other than trade payables accrued in the ordinary course of business and that are not outstanding for a period of more than 180 days),

(e) all purchased money indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person,

(f) all net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding hedging agreements,

(g) the maximum amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations, all non-contingent obligations of such person in respect of letters of credit, and

(h) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (g) above.

Inside Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Schedule.

Intellectual Property” means, collectively, all present and future intellectual property and proprietary rights in any jurisdiction throughout the word, including (a) copyrights, copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work of authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished, (b) Internet domain names, social media account identifiers, trade secret rights, including all rights to unpatented inventions and know-how, processes, production methods and confidential information; (c) mask work or similar rights available for the protection of semiconductor chips; (d) patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisionals, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same; (e) trademarks, service marks, trade styles, and trade names, whether or not any of the foregoing are registered, and all applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected or associated with and symbolized by any such trademarks; (f) computer software and computer software products; (g) designs and design rights; (h) technology; (i) all causes of action, claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment of any of the rights included above and all income, royalties, license fees damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under or with respect thereto; and (j) all licenses or user or other agreements granted to or by Borrower with respect to any of the foregoing.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively, the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement and the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 

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Inventory” means all present and future “inventory” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products, including without limitation such inventory as is temporarily out of Borrower’s custody or possession or in transit and including any returned goods and any documents of title representing any of the above.

Investment” means any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including stock, securities, partnership interest, limited liability company interest, or other interests), any acquisition by Borrower, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the equity interests of or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person, and any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person, including the creation or capital contribution to any wholly-owned or partially-owned subsidiary).

Investment Property” means all present and future investment property, securities, stocks, bonds, debentures, debt securities, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, options, security entitlements, securities accounts, commodity contracts, commodity accounts, and all financial assets held in any securities account or otherwise, and all options and warrants to purchase any of the foregoing, wherever located, and all other securities of every kind, whether certificated or uncertificated.

Lender” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, charge, hypothec, deed of trust, Lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset; and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Litigation Annex” means the litigation schedule attached hereto as Annex F on the Restatement Date (as such Annex F may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any outstanding claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings not disclosed to Lender that existed prior to the Restatement Date).

Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, any Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Perfection Certificate, the Budgets, the Variance Reports, and all other present and future documents, instruments and agreements between Lender and Borrower (or Guarantor, if applicable), including, but not limited to those relating to this Agreement, and all amendments and modifications thereto and replacements therefor.

Loan Parties” means Borrower and the Guarantors. As of the Restatement Date, the Loan Parties are Borrower and Holdings.

Material Adverse Change” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, or financial or other condition of Borrower, (b) a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations; or (c) a material impairment of the value or priority of Lender’s security interests in the Collateral.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than (i) the Obligations, (ii) the Obligations under the Emblem Facility) of Borrower in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000 (excluding ordinary course trade payables).

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Maximum Legal Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A of the Schedule.

 

 

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Net Cash Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) cash payments (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by Borrower from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (1) income or gains taxes (but excluding any tax distributions) payable by the Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale, (2) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the loans under the PMC Super-Priority Facility or loans under the Emblem Facility or, after the Additional Loans Funding Date, the Loans hereunder) that, in the case of a Loan Party, is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Borrower in connection with such Asset Sale or for any other liabilities retained by Borrower associated with such Asset Sale, (4) bona fide selling fees, costs, commissions and expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes) and (5) Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the properties sold within 180 days of such Asset Sale; provided that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 180 days of such Asset Sale, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; (b) (i) any cash payments or proceeds received by Borrower (1) under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder arising after the Restatement Date or (2) as a result of the taking of any assets of Borrower by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (1) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Borrower in connection with the collection, adjustment or settlement of any claims of Borrower in respect thereof, and (2) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in preceding clause (i)(2)) including income taxes (but excluding tax distributions) paid or imminently payable by Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of assets for transfer upon a taking or condemnation; and (c) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds thereof, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

Net Income” means, as calculated on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any period as at any date of determination, the net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period taken as a single accounting period.

Obligations” means the Loan and all present and future loans, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, guaranties, covenants, duties and indebtedness at any time owing by Borrower to Lender, whether evidenced by this Agreement or any note or other instrument or document, or otherwise, whether arising from an extension of credit, opening of a letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, whether direct or indirect (including, without limitation, those acquired by assignment and any participation by Lender in Borrower’s debts owing to others), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, including, without limitation, all principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium), attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, audit fees, letter of credit fees, collateral monitoring fees, closing fees, facility fees, auction fees, liquidation fees, appraisal fees, termination fees, minimum interest charges and any other sums chargeable to Borrower under this Agreement or under any other Loan Documents.

Observer” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

 

 

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Other Property” means the following as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and all rights relating thereto: all present and future “commercial tort claims” (including without limitation any commercial tort claims identified in the Perfection Certificate), “documents”, “instruments”, “promissory notes”, “chattel paper”, “letters of credit”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “fixtures”, “farm products” and “money”; and all other goods and personal property of every kind, tangible and intangible, whether or not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

Outstanding Accounts Payable” means the accounts payable balances (including the vendors in respect thereof) of Borrower as of the Restatement Date as set forth on Annex B (as such Annex B may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule” means the payment plan and milestone dates for overdue accounts payable of Borrower as set forth on Annex C (as such Annex C may be supplemented from time to time after the Restatement Date by Lender for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Paydown Date” means the date on which Lender (as defined in the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement) receives an amount equal to the Additional Commitment (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is an amount equal to $50,000,000 as of the Restatement Date as reduced from time to time by the amount of any Subsequent Understated AP Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) and any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility), in each case funded under the Emblem Facility with the consent of the Lender (as defined in the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement) as further set forth in the Emblem Facility) (such amount, the “PMC Minimum Paydown Amount”) consisting of direct or indirect proceeds from the Emblem Lenders (either by way of assignment of all or any portion of the Loans (as defined in the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement) to any of the Emblem Lenders or by way of funding by any of the Emblem Lenders of loan proceeds to Borrower and repayment or prepayment by Borrower.

Payment” means all checks, wire transfers and other items of payment received by Lender (including proceeds of Accounts and payment of the Obligations in full) for credit to Borrower’s outstanding Loan.

Perfection Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(i) of the Schedule.

Permitted Dispositions” means:

(i) the sale of finished Inventory and all other goods and services in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

(ii) ordinary course uses and transfers of cash and cash equivalents;

(iii) intercompany sales or dispositions of assets between Borrower and any Subsidiaries of Borrower in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(iv) subject to the prior written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, disposals of damaged, obsolete, used, worn out or surplus assets (including, without limitation, equipment and fixtures) no longer used or useful to the business of Borrower or economically impracticable to maintain;

(v) sales of property (including like-kind exchanges) to the extent that (x) such property is exchanged for credit (on a fair market value basis) against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (y) such property is sold or otherwise disposed of for fair market value and the proceeds of such sale or disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of similar replacement property;

(vi) leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of property or Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties;

(vii) Asset Sales with a fair market value less than or equal to $250,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year;

 

 

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(viii) Asset Sales of COI Equipment for fair market value and for consideration less than or equal to $5,000,000; and

(viii) subject to the prior written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, Asset Sales so long as (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by Borrower), (2) no less than 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale shall be paid in cash or cash equivalents, (3) no Event of Default is continuing or would exist after giving effect thereto and (4) the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 4.2(a), provided, that the fair market value of all such Asset Sales in any fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

  (a)

[reserved];

(b) (i) the Obligations under this Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,543,574.95, (ii) the obligations under the Emblem Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the sum of (x) $110,000,000.00 plus (y) the amount of any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (as defined in the Emblem Facility) and any Subsequent Understated AP Loans (as defined in the Emblem Facility) from time to time made thereunder and (iii) the obligations under the PMC Super-Priority Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,986,153.25, (in each case, plus any increases to principal as a result of any interest or fees paid in kind, as applicable and any Applicable Premium (as defined in the Emblem Facility and the PMC Super-Priority Facility, as applicable); and

(c) trade payables and other contractual obligations to suppliers and customers incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) Investments in Subsidiaries shown on the Perfection Certificate and existing on the date hereof;

(b) cash and cash equivalents;

(c) Investments consisting of Deposit Accounts in which Lender or Emblem has a perfected security interest (subject to the Intercreditor Agreements);

 

(d) Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; and

(e) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000.

Permitted Liens” means the following:

(a) Liens securing the Obligations;

(b) Liens on the Collateral, which may rank senior or, after the occurrence of the Additional Loans Funding Date, pari passu in right of security with the Liens securing the Obligations, securing the Emblem Facility, and at all times subject to the Intercreditor Agreements;

(c) Liens on the Collateral, which must rank senior in right of security to the Liens securing the Obligations, securing the PMC Super-Priority Facility, and at all times subject to the Intercreditor Agreements (as applicable);

(d) any leases of specific items of Equipment listed in the Perfection Certificate;

(e) [Reserved];

(f) Liens for taxes not yet payable or contested in good faith by Borrower in accordance with Section 3.8; and

(g) additional security interests and Liens which are subordinate to the security interest of Lender and are consented to in writing by Lender, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion.

Permitted Disbursements Variance” means actual disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no greater than 115% (or such greater percentage determined by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected disbursements in the then in-effect Approved Budget (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule).

 

 

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Permitted Receipts Variance” means actual cash receipts for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no less than 85% (or such lesser percentage determined by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected cash receipts in the then in-effect Approved Budget.

Permitted Variance” means, collectively, the Permitted Receipts Variance and the Permitted Disbursements Variance. “Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, limited liability company, government, or any agency or political division thereof; or any other entity.

Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) by Holdings in favor of Lender.

PMC” means PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.

PMC Super-Priority Facility” means the credit facility provided to the Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Super-Priority PMC Loan Agreement.

Restatement Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 9 of Schedule are satisfied or waived by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, which date was September 20, 2024.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Security Documents” means the Pledge Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered from time to time entered into by the Loan Parties.

Specified Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section Annex G.

Specified Amounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Conditions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Deductions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Dispute” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Payments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Post-Closing Requirements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Use” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G. “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a Person of which more than 50% of the voting stock or other equity interests is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Affiliates of such Person.

Tax Receivables Agreement” means Amended and Restated Tax Receivables Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date, by and among the corporation, Lender, the TRA Holders (as defined therein), and Bryan Freeman, in his capacity as TRA Holder Representative (s defined therein) (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted herein.)

Transactions” means the transactions to occur pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Security Documents and the extension of credit hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof, (b) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing, (c) the amendment and restatement of certain warrants issued by Holdings to Lender, (d) the issuance of the Class B Common Stock and Class C Units to Emblem, and at Lender’s option and subject to certain conditions, (e) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and Class C Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

 

 

 

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Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction in the United States, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

United States” means the United States of America (including any State or territory thereof and the District of Columbia).

Variance Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6 of the Schedule.

Other Terms. All accounting terms used in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings given to such terms in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. All other terms contained in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings provided by the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent such terms are defined therein.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

9.1 Computations. In computing interest on the Obligations, all Payments received after 12:00 Noon Pacific Time on any day shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, and Payments received by Lender (including proceeds of Receivables and payment of the Obligations in full) shall be deemed applied by Lender on account of the Obligations two (2) Business Days after receipt by Lender of immediately available funds. Lender shall not be required to credit Borrower’s account for the amount of any item of payment which is unsatisfactory to Lender in its good faith business judgment, and Lender may charge Borrower’s loan account for the amount of any item of payment which is returned to Lender unpaid.

9.2 Application of Payments. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, all payments with respect to the Obligations may be applied, and in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion reversed and re-applied, to the Obligations, in such order and manner as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

9.3 Increased Costs and Reduced Return. If Lender shall have determined that the adoption or implementation of, or any change in, any law, rule, treaty or regulation, or any policy, guideline or directive of, or any change in, the interpretation or administration thereof by, any court, central bank or other administrative or governmental authority, or compliance by Lender with any directive of, or guideline from, any central bank or other Governmental Authority or the introduction of, or change in, any accounting principles applicable to Lender (whether or not having the force of law) shall (i) subject Lender to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to this Agreement or any Loan made hereunder, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Lender of any amounts payable hereunder (except for taxes on the overall net income of Lender), (ii) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against any Loan, or against assets of or held by, or deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, Lender, or (iii) impose on Lender any other condition regarding this Agreement or any Loan, and the result of any event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase the cost to Lender of making any Loan, or agreeing to make any Loan or to reduce any amount received or receivable by Lender, then, upon demand by Lender, Borrower shall pay to Lender such additional amounts as will compensate Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amount. All amounts payable under this Section shall bear interest from the date of demand by Lender until payment in full to Lender at the highest interest rate applicable to the Obligations. A certificate of Lender claiming compensation under this Section, specifying the event herein above described and the nature of such event shall be submitted by Lender to Borrower, setting forth the additional amount due and an explanation of the calculation thereof, and Lender’s reasons for invoking the provisions of this Section, and the same shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error.

9.4 [Reserved].

 

 

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9.5 Monthly Accountings. Lender may provide Borrower monthly with an account of advances, charges, expenses and payments made pursuant to this Agreement if requested by Borrower. Such account shall be deemed correct, accurate and binding on Borrower and an account stated (except for reverses and reapplications of payments made and corrections of errors discovered by Lender), unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing to the contrary within 60 days after such account is rendered, describing the nature of any alleged errors or omissions.

9.6 Notices. All notices to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given either personally or by reputable private delivery service or by regular first-class mail, or certified mail return receipt requested, addressed or by electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by Lender (i) to the Loan Parties at the address shown in the heading to this Agreement, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 155 Cherry Hill, New Jersey 080023, attention: Jim Behling, Chief Financial Officer, mobile: 312.656.5810 (the “Borrower’s Address”), or (ii) to Lender at the address shown in the heading to this Agreement with a copy to Lender at 12243 Branford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352, Attention: T.C. Cheong with a further copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Winston & Strawn LLP, 800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400, Houston, TX 77002-2924: Attention: Ryan Hunsaker, Email: rhunsaker@winston.com , or (iii) for either party at any other address designated in writing by one party to the other party. All notices shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery in the case of notices personally delivered, or at the expiration of one Business Day following delivery to the private delivery service, or two Business Days following the deposit thereof in the United States mail, with postage prepaid.

9.7 Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, such defect shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect.

9.8 Integration. This Agreement and such other written agreements, documents and instruments as may be executed in connection herewith are the final, entire and complete agreement between Borrower and Lender and supersede all prior and contemporaneous negotiations and oral representations and agreements, all of which are merged and integrated in this Agreement. There are no oral understandings. representations or agreements between the parties which are not set forth in this Agreement or in other written agreements signed by the parties in connection herewith.

9.9 Waivers; Indemnity. The failure of Lender at any time or times to require Borrower to strictly comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive or diminish any right of Lender later to demand and receive strict compliance therewith. Any waiver of any default shall not waive or affect any other default, whether prior or subsequent, and whether or not similar. None of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or knowledge of Lender or its agents or employees, but only by a specific written waiver signed by an authorized officer of Lender and delivered to Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower waives the benefit of all statutes of limitations relating to any of the Obligations or this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and each of Holdings and Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any commercial paper, instrument, account, General Intangible, document or guaranty at any time held by Lender on which Holdings and Borrower is or may in any way be liable, and notice of any action taken by Lender, unless expressly required by this Agreement. Each of Holdings and Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify Lender and its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, parent, directors, officers, employees, agents, and attorneys, and to hold them harmless from and against any and all claims, debts, liabilities, demands, obligations, actions, causes of action, penalties, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), of every kind, which they may sustain or incur based upon or arising out of any of the Obligations, or any relationship or agreement between Lender, Holdings or Borrower, or any other matter, relating to Holdings, Borrower or the Obligations; provided that this indemnity shall not extend to damages proximately caused by the indemnitee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the indemnity agreement set forth in this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and shall for all purposes continue in full force and effect.

 

 

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9.10 Liability. NEITHER LENDER NOR ITS PARENT, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, MADE, CLAIMED, INCURRED OR SUFFERED BY HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PARTY THROUGH THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF LENDER, OR ITS PARENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS, BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL RELIEVE LENDER FROM LIABILITY FOR ITS OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. NEITHER LENDER NOR ITS PARENT, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF ANY FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION HAVING BEEN EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER ACT, OMISSION OR TRANSACTION.

9.11 Amendment. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, amended or otherwise modified, except in a writing executed by Borrower and Lender; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Lender may amend this Agreement without the consent or signature of Borrower or any Loan Party solely to effectuate the amendment to this Agreement required to be delivered pursuant to Section 11(i) of the Schedule attached to the Emblem Loan Agreement.

9.12 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance by Holdings and Borrower of each and every obligation under this Agreement.

9.13 Attorneys Fees and Costs. Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all reasonable attorneys’ fees and all filing, recording, search, title insurance, appraisal, audit, and other reasonable costs incurred by Lender, pursuant to, or in connection with, or relating to this Agreement (whether or not a lawsuit is filed), including, but not limited to, any reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs Lender incurs in order to do the following: prepare and negotiate this Agreement and all present and future documents relating to this Agreement; obtain legal advice in connection with this Agreement or Borrower; enforce, or seek to enforce, any of its rights; prosecute actions against, or defend actions by, Account Debtors; commence, intervene in, or defend any action or proceeding; initiate any complaint to be relieved of the automatic stay in bankruptcy; file or prosecute any probate claim, bankruptcy claim, third-party claim, or other claim; examine, audit, copy, and inspect any of the Collateral or any of Borrower’s books and records; protect, obtain possession of, lease, dispose of, or otherwise enforce Lender’s security interest in, the Collateral; and otherwise represent Lender in any litigation relating to Borrower. If either Lender or Borrower files any lawsuit against the other predicated on a breach of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees, including (but not limited to) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the enforcement of, execution upon or defense of any order, decree, award or judgment. All attorneys’ fees and costs to which Lender may be entitled pursuant to this Paragraph shall immediately become part of Borrower’s Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations.

 

 

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9.14 Benefit of Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives of Holdings, Borrower and Lender; provided, however, that Holdings and Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Lender, and any prohibited assignment shall be void. No consent by Lender to any assignment shall release Holdings or Borrower from its liability for the Obligations.

9.15 [Reserved].

9.16 Limitation of Actions. Any claim or cause of action by Holdings or Borrower against Lender, its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, based upon, arising from, or relating to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, or any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or relating hereto or thereto, or any other matter, cause or thing whatsoever, occurred, done, omitted or suffered to be done by Lender, its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, shall be barred unless asserted by Holdings or Borrower by the commencement of an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction by the filing of a complaint within one year after the first act, occurrence or omission upon which such claim or cause of action, or any part thereof, is based, and the service of a summons and complaint on an officer of Lender, or on any other person authorized to accept service on behalf of Lender, within thirty (30) days thereafter. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees that such one-year period is a reasonable and sufficient time for Holdings and Borrower, as applicable, to investigate and act upon any such claim or cause of action. The one-year period provided herein shall not be waived, tolled, or extended except by the written consent of Lender in its sole and absolute discretion. This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

9.17 Paragraph Headings; Construction. Paragraph headings are only used in this Agreement for convenience. Holdings, Borrower and Lender acknowledge that the headings may not describe completely the subject matter of the applicable paragraph, and the headings shall not be used in any manner to construe, limit, define or interpret any term or provision of this Agreement. This Agreement has been fully reviewed and negotiated between the parties and no uncertainty or ambiguity in any term or provision of this Agreement shall be construed strictly against Lender, Holdings or Borrower under any rule of construction or otherwise.

9.18 Public Announcement. Borrower hereby agrees that Lender may make a public announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and may publicize the same in marketing materials, newspapers and other publications, and otherwise, and in connection therewith may use Borrower’s name, tradenames and logos. Lender understands and acknowledges that Borrower may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws to publicly announce the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that Borrower shall not make any such public announcement unless Lender has provided its prior written approval of the form and substance of such public announcement (in its reasonable discretion).

9.19 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

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9.20 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) Each of Holdings, Borrower and Lender irrevocably and unconditionally agree that they will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party hereto agrees that Lender retains the right to bring proceedings against any Loan Party in the courts of any other jurisdiction solely in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies to enforce its security interest in the Collateral created hereunder or under any other Security Document or as otherwise provided in the Guarantee Agreement.

(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.6. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

9.21 Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial. HOLDINGS, BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER PRESENT OR FUTURE INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT BETWEEN LENDER, HOLDINGS AND BORROWER, OR ANY CONDUCT, ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER OR ANY OF THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS OR ANY OTHER PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER, IN ALL OF THE FOREGOING CASES, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE.

9.22 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by Lender and shall survive the making by Lender of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, regardless of any investigation made by such person or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein shall survive the Termination Date.

 

 

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9.23 Withholding Taxes. Prior to Borrower making any payments to Lender, Lender shall have delivered to Borrower a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 of Lender. Borrower and Lender each hereby agree that each payment by Borrower under this Agreement shall, except as required by law, be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future taxes. In the event that Borrower is required to withhold any amounts in respect of taxes under applicable law, Borrower shall (i) withhold or deduct any taxes required to be withheld or deducted from any payment due hereunder and (ii) pay such additional amounts to Lender so that after taking into account all taxes withheld or deducted from payments to Lender (including on any additional amounts payable pursuant to this clause) Lender receives the amount that it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. Borrower shall pay to the appropriate Governmental Authority any such taxes withheld or deducted before penalties are payable thereon, and if any such penalties are payable, Borrower shall also make payment thereof when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority. Within thirty (30) days after each such payment of taxes or penalties, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a receipt evidencing such payment.

9.24 [Reserved.]

10. Amendment and Restatement. Each of the parties hereto agrees as follows:

10.1 this Agreement (including all Exhibits and Schedules) shall amend, restate and replace in its entirety the Existing Loan Agreement (including all exhibits and schedules attached thereto) with respect to the Existing Term Loan B on the Restatement Date;

10.2 from and after the date first set forth above, all references to the “Loan Agreement” solely with respect to the Existing Term Loan B contained in the Loan Documents shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement and all references to any Article or Section (or subsection) of this Agreement in any other Loan Document shall be amended to become references to the corresponding provisions of this Agreement;

 

10.3 this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities of the parties under the Existing Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the date first set forth above and that remain outstanding as of the date first set forth above and all obligations under the Existing Loan Agreement solely with respect to the Existing Term Loan B s(as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, replaced, expanded, extended or otherwise modified hereby on the date first set forth above) shall constitute obligations hereunder and shall continue to be valid, enforceable and in full force and effect and not to be impaired, in any respect, by the effectiveness of this Agreement; and

10.4 this amendment and restatement of the Existing Loan Agreement solely with respect to the Existing Term Loan B shall be limited as written and not be a consent to any other amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver or other modification of any other provisions under any Loan Documents, without regard to whether similar, and, except as expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all terms and conditions of the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect unless otherwise specifically amended hereby.

11. Counterparts; Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

 

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12. Additional Loans Funding Date under Emblem Facility. Each of Lender, Holdings and the Borrower agree that Lender shall have no consent rights over the funding of the Additional Loans (under and as defined in the Emblem Facility) on the Additional Loans Funding Date (as defined in the Emblem Facility).

 

 

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Borrower:
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC
By   /s/ Timothy S. Zimmer
Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Holdings:
THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By   /s/ Timothy S. Zimmer
Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Lender:
PMC Financial Services Group, LLC
By   /s/ Walter E. Buttkus, III
Name:   Walter E. Buttkus, III
Title:   President

 

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Execution Version

PMC Financial Services Group, LLC

Schedule to

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:    Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:    The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:   

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002

Date:    September 20, 2024

This Schedule forms an integral part of the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 20, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) by and among PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (the “Lender”), The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), and Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“Borrower”).

 

13. COMMITMENT

(Section 1.1):

  

As used herein, the term “Loan” means the loan made as a continuation of, and consolidation of, the Existing Term Loan B in an amount equal to $ 100,543,574.95.

 

Any portion of the Loan that is repaid may not be reborrowed.

 

All payments by Borrower to Lender in respect of the Loan shall be made via ACH banking transfer to Lender’s bank account per written instructions.

14. INTEREST.

Interest Rate

(Section 1.2):

  

The Loan outstanding from time to time shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to 18.00% which shall be paid in-kind, and as further set forth in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Loan and all other monetary Obligations shall bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable Debtor Relief Laws) at a rate (the “Default Rate”) that is 5.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder which shall be payable in cash in immediately available funds on demand.

2A. USURY SAVINGS CLAUSE

Provisions Relating to Interest

   Notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement regarding the rates of interest applicable to the Initial Loans, if at any time the amount of such interest computed on the basis of the interest rate set forth herein (the “Applicable Interest Rate”) would exceed the amount of such interest computed upon the basis of the maximum rate of interest permitted by applicable state or federal law in effect from time to time hereafter, after taking into account, to the extent required by applicable law, any and all fees and charges in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law provided for in this Agreement or in any other agreement between Borrower and Lender (the “Maximum Legal Rate”), the interest payable under this Agreement shall be computed upon the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate, but any subsequent reduction in the Applicable Interest Rate shall not reduce such interest thereafter payable hereunder below the amount computed on the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate until the aggregate amount of such interest accrued and payable under this Agreement equals the total amount of interest which would have accrued if such interest had been at all times computed solely on the basis of the Applicable Interest Rate.

 

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  No agreements, conditions, provisions or stipulations contained in this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement between Borrower and Lender or default of Borrower, or the exercise by Lender of the right to accelerate the payment of the maturity of principal and interest, or to exercise any option whatsoever contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Borrower and Lender, or the arising of any contingency whatsoever, shall entitle Lender to collect, in any event, interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate and in no event shall Borrower be obligated to pay interest exceeding such Maximum Legal Rate and all agreements, conditions or stipulations, if any, which may in any event or contingency whatsoever operate to bind, obligate or compel Borrower to pay a rate of interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate, shall be without binding force or effect, at law or in equity, to the extent only of the excess of interest over such Maximum Legal Rate. In the event any interest is charged in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate (“Excess”), Borrower acknowledges and stipulates that any such charge shall be the result of an accidental and bona fide error, and such Excess shall be, first, applied to reduce the principal then unpaid hereunder; second, applied to reduce the remaining Obligations; and third, returned to Borrower, it being the intention of the parties hereto not to enter at any time into a usurious or otherwise illegal relationship. Borrower recognizes that, with fluctuations in the Applicable Interest Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such an unintentional result could inadvertently occur. By the execution of this Agreement, Borrower covenants that (i) the credit or return of any Excess shall constitute the acceptance by Borrower of such Excess, and (ii) Borrower shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or equitable, against Lender, based in whole or in part upon the charging or receiving of any interest in excess of the maximum authorized by applicable law. For the purpose of determining whether or not any Excess has been contracted for, charged or received by Lender, all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by Lender in connection with this Agreement shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread in equal parts during the entire term of this Agreement.

 

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The provisions of this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into every document or communication relating to the Obligations which sets forth or prescribes any account, right or claim or alleged account, right or claim of Lender with respect to Borrower (or any other obligor in respect of Obligations), whether or not any provision of this Section 2A of this Schedule is referred to therein. All such documents and communications and all figures set forth therein shall, for the sole purpose of computing the extent of the liabilities and obligations of Borrower (or other obligor) asserted by Lender thereunder, be automatically recomputed by any Borrower or obligor, and by any court considering the same, to give effect to the adjustments or credits required by this Section 2A of this Schedule.

 

If the applicable state or federal law is amended in the future to allow a greater rate of interest to be charged under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents than is presently allowed by applicable state or federal law, then the limitation of interest under this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be increased to the maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable state or federal law as amended, which increase shall be effective hereunder on the effective date of such amendment, and all interest charges owing to Lender by reason thereof shall be payable upon demand.

15. RESERVED   

16. MATURITY DATE

(Section 6.1):

   As used herein, the term “Maturity Date” means (a) if the Paydown Date has not occurred, December 31, 2026 and (b) if the Paydown Date has occurred, the fifth anniversary of the Restatement Date, provided, that if the board of directors and stockholders of Holdings do not each approve the issuance of up to 49.9% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock (and corresponding Class C Units of RGF, LLC, if applicable) on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Restatement Date, the Maturity Date shall mean the six-month anniversary of the Restatement Date.

17. FINANCIAL COVENANTS

(Section 5.1):

  

(a) Minimum Adjusted EBITDA. Prior to the Paydown Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA (i) for the calendar months ending September 30, 2024, October 31, 2024, November 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, to be less than $1,000,000 for such calendar month and (ii) for any calendar month ending thereafter, to be less than $1,500,000 for such calendar month.

 

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From and after the Paydown Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA for any fiscal quarter ending thereafter, to be less than $6,000,000 for such fiscal quarter.

 

(b) Minimum Daily Cash. Borrower shall not permit Available Cash as of 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day ending after the Restatement Date to be less than $12,500,000.

 

(c) Minimum Average Monthly Cash. Borrower shall not permit Average Monthly Cash for any calendar month ending after the Restatement Date (commencing with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024) to be less than $15,000,000 for such calendar month.

18. REPORTING.

(Section 5.3):

  

(a) Borrower shall provide Lender with the following:

 

(a) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day occurring after the Restatement Date, reporting on (x) daily production for the immediately preceding Business Day and (y) minimum daily Available Cash for the immediately preceding Business Day, in a form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(b) by 5:00 PM New York time on Wednesday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing September 25, 2024), a report on weekly sales for the prior calendar week in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(c) by 5:00 PM New York time on Friday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), an updated 13-week statement for the subsequent 13-week period (a “Proposed Budget”), which Proposed Budget shall modify and supersede any prior Budget upon the approval by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion (such Proposed Budget upon such approval by Lender, an “Approved Budget”);

 

(d) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Budget Testing Date, (x) a report (each, a “Variance Report”) in form and substance satisfactory to Lender describing in reasonable detail Borrower’s aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements during the relevant Budget Testing Period as compared to the projected aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements provided by the then-current Budget for the same period (including breakdown by vendor and category) and (y) an analysis, certified by a senior financial officer of Borrower, demonstrating that a Budget Event shall not have occurred for such Budget Testing Period;

 

(e) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Friday of each week ending after the Restatement Date (commencing September 27, 2024), an updated Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule in the same format as set forth on Annex C, which shall modify and supersede any prior Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule upon the approval by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

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(f) as soon as available, within five (5) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, a report on minimum Average Available Cash for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(g) as soon as available, and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, (x) monthly unaudited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (y) reporting on operating KPIs and (z) complete month-end physical inventory counts, in each case, for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

 

(h) as soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days following the end of each fiscal quarter of Holdings, quarterly financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the quarterly financial statements filed on form 10-Q with the SEC and accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which shall be certified by a financial officer of Holdings as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

 

(i) as soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of Holdings’ fiscal year, annual audited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the annual audited financial statements filed on form 10-K with the SEC, which shall be audited by a “big-four” accounting firm or another nationally recognized accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Lender (and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness or any breach of a financial maintenance covenant or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly reviewed or audited by independent certified public accountants acceptable to Lender;

 

(j) no later than seventy-five (75) days prior to the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, annual operating budgets (including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements, by month) for the upcoming fiscal year of Borrower;

 

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(k) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (vi), (vii), (viii) or (ix) above, a duly executed and completed compliance certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (xi) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants; and

 

(l) any material report, certificate or other document provided to PMC pursuant to the Amended and Restated PMC Facilities from time to time reasonably requested by Lender.

 

(b) Borrower will, on a date following the end of each calendar week (commencing with the first full calendar week ending after the Restatement Date), hold a weekly conference call at a time mutually agreed upon by Borrower and Lender), to discuss cash flows of Borrower and such other matters requested by Lender related the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower.

19. BORROWER INFORMATION:    Borrower represents and warrants that the information set forth in the Perfection Certificate is true and correct as of the date hereof.
20. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS   

(a) Subordination of Inside Debt. All present and future indebtedness of Borrower to its officers, directors, shareholders and Affiliates (collectively, “Inside Debt”) shall, at all times, be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to a subordination agreement satisfactory to Lender. Borrower represents and warrants that as of the Restatement Date there is no Inside Debt presently outstanding.

 

Prior to incurring any Inside Debt in the future, Borrower shall cause the person to whom such Inside Debt will be owed to execute and deliver to Lender a subordination agreement on satisfactory to Lender.

 

(b) Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks.

 

(a) Borrower hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower does not have any maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, that are registered (or are the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Copyright Office. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that Borrower will NOT register with the United States Copyright Office (or apply for such registration of) any of Borrower’s maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, unless Borrower has provided Lender not less than 30 days prior written notice of the commencement of such registration/application and Borrower has executed and delivered to Lender such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender) which Lender in its sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Copyright Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

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(b) Annex 1 sets forth under the name of Borrower a complete and correct list of all patents and trademarks of Borrower that are registered (or the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, upon Lender’s request therefor, promptly execute and deliver to Lender such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender) which Lender in its sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

(c) Borrower will: (x) protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, and trademarks; (y) promptly advise Lender in writing of material infringements, misappropriations or violations of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks of which Borrower is or becomes aware; and (z) not allow any material item of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without Lender’s written consent.

 

(c) Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule and subject to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, as to any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts) maintained with any institution as of the date of this Agreement (in each case, other than Excluded Accounts), Borrower shall cause such institution, concurrently herewith, to enter into an Account Control Agreement in form acceptable to Lender in its sole and absolute discretion in order to perfect Lender’s security interest, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, in such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and grant Lender “control” (within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) over such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts). Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, from and after the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall not maintain any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts) with any bank, securities intermediary, or other institution unless Lender has received an Account Control Agreement duly executed by such party in favor of Lender covering such Deposit Account (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts), as the case may be.

 

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(d) Manufacturing Facility Standards. Borrower shall maintain and comply in all material respects with all applicable manufacturing facility standards, policies, laws and regulations, including, without limitation, such standards published from time to time by United States Department of Agriculture.

 

(e) Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall pay (or cause to be paid) in full and settle all overdue accounts payable, in each case, as set forth on, and on or prior to the dates applicable thereto on, the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

 

(f) So long as the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is outstanding, any requirement of this Agreement to deliver Collateral to the Lender shall be deemed satisfied by delivery of such Collateral to Emblem-RGF Main LLC, in its capacity as collateral agent under the Emblem Facility as bailee of the Lender, pursuant to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall limit or otherwise adversely affect the grant of a Lien on or a security interest in any Collateral under this Agreement.

21. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO RESTATEMENT DATE   

The obligation of Lender to continue making the Loans on the Restatement Date is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions on or prior to the Restatement Date:

 

(a) Loan Documents. Lender shall have received this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and each other Loan Document identified by it to be delivered on the Restatement Date, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed and delivered by each party thereto.

 

(b) Emblem Facility. Lender shall have received true, correct and complete copies of the Emblem Loan Agreement and Security Documents (as defined in the Emblem Loan Agreement), in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect.

 

(c) Amendment to Master Lease Agreement. The Lender shall have received a true, correct and complete copy of that certain First Amendment to Master Lease Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Date between Lender and the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect.

 

(d) Opinions. Lender and its counsel shall have received a written opinion of White & Case, LLP, as New York counsel for the Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as Lender shall reasonably request.

 

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(e) Secretary’s Certificate. Lender shall have received (1) copies of the organizational documents of each Loan Party and certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Restatement Date or a recent date prior thereto; (2) signature and incumbency certificates of each such Person of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (3) resolutions of the board of directors or similar governing body of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Restatement Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; (4) a good standing certificate (or equivalent certificate) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, each dated the Restatement Date or a recent date prior thereto.

 

(f) Solvency Certificate. Lender shall have received a solvency certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Holdings confirming the solvency of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Restatement Date.

 

(g) Closing Certificate. Lender shall have received a closing certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower which shall include certifications to the effect that the conditions precedent set forth in clause (o) hereof have been satisfied on the Restatement Date.

 

(h) Perfection Certificate; Searches. Lender shall have received (i) a completed perfection certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender (the “Perfection Certificate”), duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby and (ii) the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent), tax and judgment, United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are Permitted Liens or have been released (or arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Lender for such release shall have been made.

 

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(i) Perfection of Security Interests. Lender shall have received proper financing statements (Form UCC-1 or equivalent) authorized for filing under the UCC or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document and short-form intellectual property security agreements in proper form and authorized for filing under the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office, or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document.

 

(j) Springing Account Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule and subject to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Lender shall have received Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, Emblem, Lender and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule.

 

(k) Cash Control. The Borrower and Lender shall have terminated all existing account control agreements or other cash control arrangements in place over the Loan Parties’ Deposit Accounts.

 

(l) Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall have paid in full and settled all overdue accounts payable required to be paid in full and settled on the Restatement Date as set forth on the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

 

(m) Payment of Fees and Expenses. Lender shall have received all fees payable thereto on or prior to the Restatement Date and, to the extent invoiced prior to the Restatement Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of Winston & Strawn LLP).

 

(n) Approvals. All material approvals and material consents of any Governmental Authority required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by the Loan Parties party thereto and the consummation of the Transactions shall have been obtained.

 

(o) General Conditions. The following:

 

(a) no Material Adverse Change has occurred since August 31, 2024,

 

(b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the making of the Initial Loans on the Restatement Date, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

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(c) the representations and warranties set forth herein and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Perfection Certificate) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Restatement Date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or similar language (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

(p) 2024 Exchange Agreement. Borrower shall issue Class C Units to Emblem representing 19.99% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and agree to take all necessary actions, including scheduling a meeting to obtain a vote of Holdings’ stockholders, to approve the issuance of additional Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to Emblem cumulatively representing 49.99% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings, approving the issuance of Class A Common Stock representing 25% of the voting power and equity interests of Holdings to Lender upon exercise of that certain Amended and Restated Warrant, dated as of the date hereof, issued by Holdings to Lender, and, at Lender’s option, approving the issuance of Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to Lender representing 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings.

22. POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS   

The Loan Parties shall comply with their obligations described in the following clauses (a) through (g), in each case, within the applicable periods of time specified therein (or such longer periods as the Lender) may agree in its sole and absolute discretion):

 

(a) Termination of UCC Filings. By not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have terminated (or caused the termination) of the UCC-1 financing statements identified on Annex I.

 

(b) Springing Account Control Agreements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, the Lender shall have received Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, the Lender, Emblem and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule.

 

(c) Insurance Certificates and Endorsements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, the Lender shall have received customary liability insurance and property insurance endorsements naming the Lender as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, and such other endorsements to the extent required by this Agreement in each case, with respect to the general liability and casualty insurance policies maintained by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.

 

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(d) SKU. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have (i) established (and shall thereafter maintain at all times until the Maturity Date) co-manufacturing capacity for all stock keeping units and (ii) delivered to Lender a certificate signed by a senior financial officer of Borrower certifying the foregoing in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

 

(e) Engagements. The Borrower shall have engaged each of the companies set forth on Annex E (or such other companies acceptable to Emblem) for the purposes set forth on Annex E applicable thereto, in each case by the Additional Loans Funding Date or such other date as set forth on Annex E.

 

(f) Required Hedges. By no later than (i) the seventh (7th) day following the Restatement Date, Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 40% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender, (ii) the fourteenth (14th) day following the Restatement Date, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 60% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender and (iii) January 1, 2025, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain until the Maturity Date) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 70% of chicken purchases over the forward looking twelve-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to Lender.

 

(g) Specified Post-Closing Requirement. The Borrower shall comply with the Specified Post-Closing Requirements in all respects.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page immediately follows]

 

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Borrower:     Lender:
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC     PMC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC
By   /s/ Timothy S. Zimmer     By   /s/ Walter E. Buttkus, III
Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer     Name:   Walter E. Buttkus, III
Title:   Chief Executive Officer     Title:   President
Holdings:      
THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.      
By   /s/ Timothy S. Zimmer      
Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer      
Title:   Chief Executive Officer      

Exhibit 10.4

THE DEBT OBLIGATIONS GOVERNED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (“OID”) FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, THE AMOUNT OF OID, THE ISSUE DATE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THESE DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE BORROWER PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.6 OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Emblem-RGF Main LLC

Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:   Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:   The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:   3 Executive Campus, Suite 155
  Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
Date:   September 20, 2024

THIS SUPER-PRIORITY LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into on the above date by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company ( “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party hereto and Emblem-RGF Main LLC, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders ( “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties ( “Collateral Agent”). The Schedule to this Agreement (the “Schedule”) and each of the Annexes referred herein shall for all purposes be deemed to be a part of this Agreement, and the same is an integral part of this Agreement. (Definitions of certain terms used in this Agreement are set forth in Section 8 below.)

 

1. LOANS.

1.1 Initial Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 9 of the Schedule, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make super-priority senior secured terms loans to Borrower (the “Initial Loans”) on the Initial Closing Date denominated in Dollars in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Lender’s Initial Commitment. Once prepaid or repaid, the Initial Loans may not be reborrowed. On the Initial Closing Date, the proceeds of the Initial Loans shall be deposited into the Designated Account (or as otherwise set forth in the flow of funds mutually agreed between Borrower and the Lenders).

1.2 Subsequent Understated AP Loans. At any time from and after the Initial Closing Date, if the Understated Accounts Payable Amount exceeds $3,000,000, each Lender may, at its election and in its sole and absolute discretion (and subject to the consent of PMC not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), on a several and not joint basis, make additional super-priority senior secured term loans to Borrower (the “Subsequent Understated AP Loans”) on a date, or such dates, chosen by each the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion, in each case, denominated in Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount for all such Subsequent Understated AP Loans not to exceed the Understated Accounts Payable Amount; provided that, any additional super-priority senior secured loan made pursuant to this Section 1.2 without the consent of PMC shall be null and void. Once prepaid or repaid, the Subsequent Understated AP Loans may not be reborrowed. On the date, or dates, any such Subsequent Understated AP Loans are made by any Lenders, the proceeds thereof shall be deposited into the Designated Account (unless otherwise agreed by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

 


1.3 Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans. At any time from and after the Initial Closing Date, each Lender may, at its election and in its sole and absolute discretion (and subject to the consent of PMC not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), on a several and not joint basis, make additional super-priority senior secured term loans to Borrower (the “Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans”) on a date, or such dates, chosen by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion, in each case, denominated in Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount for all such Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans not to exceed the aggregate amount of all settlement amounts for the claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings set forth on the Litigation Annex (including, without limitation, the Specified Amounts (such aggregate amount, “Total Litigation Settlement Amount”); provided that, any additional super-priority senior secured loan made pursuant to this Section 1.3 without the consent of PMC shall be null and void. Once prepaid or repaid, the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans may not be reborrowed. On the date, or dates, any such Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans are made by the Lenders, the proceeds thereof shall be deposited into the Designated Account (unless otherwise agreed by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

1.4 Additional Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 11 of the Schedule, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make super-priority senior secured terms loans to Borrower (the “Additional Loans”) on the Additional Loan Funding Date denominated in Dollars in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Lender’s Additional Commitment. Once prepaid or repaid, the Additional Loans may not be reborrowed. On the Additional Loan Funding Date, the proceeds of the Initial Loans shall be used by Borrower in accordance with Section 3.11.

1.5 Interest. The Loans shall bear interest at the rates shown on, and subject to the terms set forth on, the Schedule. Interest on the Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as may be specified herein. All Interest shall be paid in cash in immediately available funds except for interest payable in-kind (as further set forth in Section 2 of the Schedule), which such payments-in-kind shall be capitalized so that such interest is automatically added to the outstanding principal balance of the Loans and thereafter bear interest as Loans. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

1.6 Fees. Borrower shall pay Administrative Agent and the Lenders the fees shown on the Schedule, which are in addition to all interest and other sums payable to Administrative Agent and the Lenders and are not refundable. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, such fees shall be treated as an adjustment to the issue price of the applicable Loans.

1.7 Initial Loan Requests(a) .

(a) To request the Initial Loans on the Initial Closing Date, Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of such request by irrevocable written notice in the form of a borrowing notice, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (a “Borrowing Notice”), signed by Borrower by hand delivery or electronic means not later than 3:00 PM (New York time) at least seven (7) days in advance of the date of such proposed borrowing. Any loan request received after 3:00 PM (New York time) will not be considered by Administrative Agent until the second Business Day after such request. The proceeds of the Initial Loans (after giving effect to the payment of any fees, expenses and other payments required to be made on the Initial Closing Date as set forth in Section 3.11) shall be required to be deposited into a segregated account of Borrower subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Administrative Agent (such account, the “Designated Account”).

 

 

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(b) Administrative Agent may require Borrower to submit a Borrowing Request in respect of each funding of Subsequent Understated AP Loans and Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (it being understood and agreed that such Loans shall only be funded at the election of and in the sole and absolute discretion of the Lenders) (and subject to the consent of PMC not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(c) To request the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date, Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of such request by submitting a Borrowing Notice, signed by Borrower by hand delivery or electronic means not later than 3:00 PM (New York time) at least seven (7) days in advance of the date of such proposed borrowing. Any loan request received after 3:00 PM (New York time) will not be considered by Administrative Agent until the second Business Day after such request. The proceeds of the Additional Loans (after giving effect to the payment of any fees, expenses and other payments required to be made on the Additional Loans Funding Date as set forth in Section 3.11) shall be required to be deposited into the Designated Account.

2. SECURITY INTEREST. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, to secure the payment and performance of all of the Obligations when due, each of Borrower and Holdings hereby grants to Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a security interest in all of the following (collectively, the “Collateral”): all right, title and interest of Borrower and Holdings, respectively, in and to all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired and wherever located: all Accounts; all Inventory; all Equipment; all assets constituting Capital Expenditures; all Deposit Accounts (including, without limitation, the Designated Account and all funds maintained therein); all General Intangibles (including without limitation all Intellectual Property); all Investment Property; all Other Property; and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above, and all guaranties and security for any of the above, and all substitutions and replacements for, additions, accessions, attachments, accessories, and improvements to, and proceeds (including proceeds of any insurance policies, proceeds of proceeds and claims against third parties) of, any and all of the above, and all Borrower’s books relating to any and all of the above; provided, that in no event shall the “Collateral” include any Excluded Assets; provided, however, that the security interest of Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall immediately attach to, and the Collateral shall immediately include, any such asset (or portion thereof) upon such asset (or such portion) ceasing to be an Excluded Asset.

Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, during an Event of Default, monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Borrower, realization on the Collateral, setoff or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:

(i) FIRST, to all costs and expenses owing to Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents;

(ii) SECOND, to premium (including without, limitation, Applicable Premium) and fees incurred in connection with the Loans;

(iii) THIRD, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan;

(iv) FOURTH, to all unpaid principal owing on the Loan; and

(v) FIFTH, to all remaining Obligations.

3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF HOLDINGS AND BORROWER.

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, each of Holdings and Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders and the Agents as follows, and each of Holdings and Borrower covenants that the following representations will continue to be true, and that Holdings (as applicable) and Borrower will at all times comply with all of the following covenants, throughout the term of this Agreement and until all Obligations have been paid and performed in full:

 

 

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3.1 Corporate Existence and Authority. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. Each of Holdings and Borrower is and will continue to be qualified and licensed to do business in all jurisdictions in which any failure to do so would result in a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance by Holdings and Borrower of this Agreement, and all other documents contemplated hereby (i) have been duly and validly authorized, (ii) are enforceable against Holdings and Borrower in accordance with their terms (except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally), and (iii) do not violate Holdings’ or Borrower’s articles or certificate of incorporation, or Holdings’ or Borrower’s by-laws, Holdings’ or Borrower’s partnership agreement or operating agreement (as the case may be), or any law or any material agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings or Borrower or its property, and (iv) do not constitute grounds for acceleration of any indebtedness or obligation under any agreement or instrument which is binding upon Holdings and Borrower or its property.

3.2 Name; Trade Names and Styles. The name of Holdings and Borrower set forth in the heading to this Agreement is its correct name. Listed in the Perfection Certificate are all prior names of Borrower used in the last 5 years and all of Borrower’s present and prior trade names. Borrower shall give Administrative Agent 30 days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders)) before changing its name or doing business under any other name. Borrower has complied, and will in the future comply, in all material respects, with all laws relating to the conduct of business under a fictitious business name.

3.3 Place of Business; Location of Collateral. The address set forth in the heading to this Agreement is Borrower’s chief executive office. In addition, each of Holdings and Borrower has places of business and Collateral is located only at the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate. Each of Holdings and Borrower will give Administrative Agent at least 30 days prior written notice (or such shorter period as agreed by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders)) before opening any additional place of business, changing its chief executive office, or moving any of the Collateral to a location other than Borrower’s Address or one of the locations set forth in the Perfection Certificate.

3.4 Title to Collateral; Perfection; Permitted Liens.

(a) Except as set forth on the Perfection Certificate, each of Holdings and Borrower is now, and will at all times in the future be, the sole owner of all the Collateral, except for items of Equipment which are leased to Borrower. The Collateral now is and will remain free and clear of any and all Liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances and adverse claims, except for Permitted Liens. Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) now has, and will continue to have, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, a super-priority perfected and enforceable security interest in all of the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, and Holdings and Borrower will at all times defend the Secured Parties and the Collateral against all claims of others.

(b) Each of Holdings and Borrower has set forth in the Perfection Certificate all of Holdings’ and Borrower’s Deposit Accounts, and each of Holdings and Borrower will give Administrative Agent five Business Days advance written notice before establishing any new Deposit Accounts and will cause the institution where any such new Deposit Account is maintained to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent a control agreement in form sufficient to perfect the security interest of Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Deposit Account and otherwise satisfactory to Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

 

 

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(c) In the event that Holdings or Borrower shall at any time after the date hereof have any commercial tort claims against others, which it is asserting or intends to assert, and in which the potential recovery exceeds $250,000 (as determined by Borrower in good faith), Holdings or Borrower shall promptly notify Administrative Agent thereof in writing and provide Administrative Agent with such information regarding the same as Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) shall request. Such notification to Administrative Agent shall constitute a grant of a security interest in the commercial tort claim and all proceeds thereof to Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), and Holdings and Borrower shall execute and deliver all such documents and take all such actions as Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) shall request in connection therewith.

(d) None of the Collateral now is or will be affixed to any real property in such a manner, or with such intent, as to become a fixture. Holdings and Borrower are not and will not become a lessee under any real property lease pursuant to which the lessor may obtain any rights in any of the Collateral and no such lease now prohibits, restrains, impairs or will prohibit, restrain or impair Holdings’ and Borrower’s rights to remove any Collateral from the leased premises. Whenever any Collateral is located upon real property in which any third party has an interest, Holdings and Borrower shall, whenever reasonably requested by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), cause such third party to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent, in form acceptable to Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), such waivers and subordinations as Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) shall specify.

3.5 Maintenance of Collateral. Each of Holdings and Borrower will maintain the Collateral in good working condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and Holdings and Borrower will not use the Collateral for any unlawful purpose. Holdings and Borrower will immediately advise Administrative Agent in writing of any material loss or material damage to the Collateral.

3.6 Books and Records. Holdings and Borrower has maintained and will maintain at Borrower’s Address complete and accurate, in all material respects, books and records, comprising an accounting system in accordance with GAAP.

3.7 Financial Condition, Statements and Reports. All financial statements now or in the future delivered to Administrative Agent and the Lenders have been, and will be, prepared in conformity with GAAP, except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, and now and in the future will fairly present, in all material respects, the results of operations and financial condition of Holdings and Borrower, in accordance with GAAP, at the times and for the periods therein stated. Between the last date covered by any such statement provided to Administrative Agent and the date hereof, there has been no Material Adverse Change.

3.8 Tax Returns and Payments; Pension Contributions. Each of Holdings and Borrower has timely filed all required tax returns and reports, and each of Holdings and Borrower has timely paid all foreign, federal, state and local taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions required to be paid by Holdings and Borrower, as applicable. Borrower is unaware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of Holdings’ or Borrower’s prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Holdings or Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower has paid all amounts necessary to fund all pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans in accordance with their terms, and each of Holdings and Borrower has not withdrawn from participation in or permitted partial or complete termination of any such plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Holdings or Borrower, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other governmental agency.

 

 

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3.9 Compliance with Law. Borrower has complied, and will comply, in all material respects, with all material provisions of all foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to Borrower, including, but not limited to, those relating to Borrower’s ownership of real or personal property, the conduct and licensing of Borrower’s business, and all environmental matters.

3.10 Litigation. Except as set forth on the Litigation Annex, there is no material claim, suit, litigation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against or affecting Holdings or Borrower in any court or before any governmental agency (or any basis therefor known to Borrower). Borrower will promptly inform Administrative Agent in writing of any material claim, proceeding, litigation or investigation in the future threatened or instituted against Holdings or Borrower (in each case, if known to Borrower).

3.11 Use of Proceeds.

(a) Borrower will use the proceeds of the Initial Loans to (i) pay overdue accounts payable on the Initial Closing Date and at any time thereafter, in each case, in accordance with the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule, (ii) repay revolving loans under the Existing PMC Loan and Security Agreement in an amount not exceed $7,995,514.17, (iii) pay the Upfront Fee and all other fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and (iv) fund balance sheet cash with any amounts remaining after making the foregoing payments, in each case, in accordance with the uses approved by the Lenders on the Initial Closing Date and thereafter with the Approved Budget.

(b) Borrower will use the proceeds of any Subsequent Understated AP Loans and any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans for the purposes approved by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion (subject to the consent of PMC not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(c) Borrower will use the proceeds of the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date to repay obligations under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Facility in an amount equal to the Additional Commitment (minus the aggregate amount of any amounts referred to in the previous clause (b) and (ii) to pay all fees and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 11 of the Schedule, in each case, in accordance with the Approved Budget.

(d) Borrower is not purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and no part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any “margin stock” or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock,” or for any other purpose, in any such case, that would violate or be inconsistent with Regulations U or X.

3.12 Budget and Variance Reports. Each Budget delivered was prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed by the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made and upon information believed by the management of the Borrower to have been accurate based upon the information available to the management of the Borrower at the time such Budget was furnished. On and after the delivery of any Variance Report in accordance with this Agreement, such Variance Report shall be complete and correct and fairly represent in all respects the results of operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby and in the detail to be covered thereby.

3.13 Outstanding Accounts Payable. Annex B sets forth a complete and correct list of all Outstanding Accounts Payable (including, without limitation the applicable vendor and outstanding balance in respect thereof) known to Borrower on the Initial Closing Date.

4. PREPAYMENTS OF LOANS.

4.1 Voluntary Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.1, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or in part, subject to the concurrent payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.3, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 (or, if less, in the amount of Loans outstanding), by providing an irrevocable written notice to Administrative Agent by 3:00 PM (New York time) at least one Business Day in advance of the date of such proposed prepayment.

 

 

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4.3 Mandatory Prepayments.

In each case under this Section 4.2, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) Non COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale (excluding any sales of COI Equipment), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loans, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

(b) COI Equipment Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any non-ordinary course Asset Sale of COI Equipment, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement.

(c) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds of the type described in clause (b) of the definition thereof in excess of $100,000, Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loans, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

(d) Non-Permitted Debt. On the date of receipt by Borrower of any Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness of Borrower (other than with respect to any Permitted Indebtedness), Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of the Loans, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and solely after the occurrence of the Additional Loan Funding Date, the loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, on a pro rata basis.

4.4 Applicable Premium. If any Applicable Premium Event occurs, then Borrower shall pay to each Lender, the Applicable Premium. In any such case, the Applicable Premium shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loans, which Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and secured by the Collateral, and constitutes liquidated damages, not unmatured interest or a penalty, as the actual amount of damages to the Lenders as a result of the relevant Applicable Premium Event would be impracticable and extremely difficult to ascertain. The Applicable Premium is provided by mutual agreement of Borrower and the Guarantors and each Lender as a reasonable estimation and calculation of such actual lost profits and other actual damages of the Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that upon the occurrence of any Applicable Premium Event, the Applicable Premium shall be automatically and immediately due and payable and shall constitute part of the Obligations payable by Borrower (and guaranteed by the Guarantors) in respect of the Loans which Obligations are secured by the Collateral. The Applicable Premium shall also be automatically and immediately due and payable if the Obligations are satisfied, released or discharged by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. BORROWER, FOR ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF THE GUARANTORS, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THEY MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR OTHER LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH EVENTS, ANY RESCISSION OF SUCH ACCELERATION OR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY EVENT. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of the Guarantors, expressly agrees (to the fullest extent it and they may lawfully do so) that with respect to the Applicable Premium payable under the terms of this Agreement: (i) the Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business parties, ably represented by counsel; (ii) the Applicable Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then-prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (iii) there has been a course of conduct between each Lender and Borrower and the Guarantors giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Premium; and (iv) Borrower and the Guarantors shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. Borrower, for itself and on behalf of and the Guarantors, expressly acknowledges that their agreement to pay the Applicable Premium as herein described is a material inducement to each Lender’s agreement to enter into this Agreement and to extend Loans to Borrower.

 

 

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5. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF BORROWER.

5.1 Financial and Other Covenants. Borrower shall at all times comply with the financial and other covenants set forth in the Schedule.

5.2 Insurance. Borrower shall, at all times insure all of the tangible personal property Collateral and carry such other business insurance, with insurers reasonably acceptable to the Lenders, in such form and amounts as Administrative Agent may require (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), and Borrower shall provide evidence of such insurance to Administrative Agent. All such insurance policies shall name Collateral Agent as loss or co-loss payee, and shall contain a Lenders loss payee endorsement in form reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders). If Borrower fails to provide or pay for any insurance, Administrative Agent may, but is not obligated to, obtain the same at Borrower’s expense. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent copies of all material reports made to insurance companies.

5.3 Reports. Borrower, at its expense, shall provide Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) with the written reports set forth in the Schedule, and such other written reports with respect to Borrower as Administrative Agent shall from time to time specify (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

 

5.4 Access to Collateral, Books and Records. At reasonable times, and on two (2) Business Days’ notice, Administrative Agent, or its agents, shall have the right to inspect the Collateral, and the right to audit and copy Borrower’s books and records. Such inspections or audits shall be conducted no more often than four times during each calendar year, but nothing herein restricts Administrative Agent’s right to conduct such audits more frequently if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The foregoing inspections and audits shall be at Borrower’s expense and the charge therefor shall be $900 per person per day (or such higher amount as shall represent Administrative Agent’s then current standard charge for the same), plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

5.5 Negative Covenants. Except as may be permitted in the Schedule, Borrower shall not, without Administrative Agent’s prior written consent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), do any of the following:

(a) merge or consolidate with another corporation or entity unless Borrower is the surviving entity and the security interest of Collateral Agent in the Collateral is unimpaired;

(b) acquire any assets except (i) assets acquired in the ordinary course of business and (ii) other asset acquisitions (including without limitation, any assets constituting Capital Expenditures) so long as the purchase consideration for all such assets in the aggregate does not at any time exceed $250,000;

 

 

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(c) enter into any transaction with any of its Affiliates (other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $250,000, unless such transaction is upon terms that are not materially favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate;

(d) sell or transfer any Collateral, except for Permitted Dispositions;

(e) store any Inventory or other Collateral with any warehouseman or other third party, unless approved by Administrative Agent;

(f) make any loans of any money or other assets or make any other Investments, other than Permitted Investments;

(g) (x) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness, (y) create incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any operating leases or finance leases or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any existing operating leases or financing leases (including without limitation, the master lease agreements with PMC as in effect on the Initial Closing Date) and (z) guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to the obligations of another Person, provided, that the aggregate amount of all such Permitted Indebtedness (other than clauses (a) and (b) of the definition thereof), operating leases, financing leases, obligations, guarantees and liabilities shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;

(h) [reserved];

(i) create, incur, assume or permit to be outstanding any Liens other than Permitted Liens;

(j) pay or declare any dividends on, or distributions or tax distributions with respect to Borrower’s equity interests, or make any other distributions, directly or indirectly, with respect to any equity interest in Borrower;

(k) redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of Borrower’s stock or other equity securities, other than, (i) as required by the 2024 Exchange Agreement, (ii) as required by the 2021 Exchange Agreement or (iii) at any time on or after the Additional Loans Funding Date, and subject to the sole and absolute discretion of the Lenders, the Specified Use;

(l) engage, directly or indirectly, in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in by Borrower and any complementary, ancillary, incidental, corollary or synergistic businesses and any reasonable extensions thereof;

(m) dissolve or elect to dissolve;

(n) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any procurement or vendor contract (x) with a term longer than one (1) month and/or (y) (i) with contract consideration in excess of $2,000,000 for chicken purchases and (ii) with contract consideration in excess of $250,000 for all other goods and services;

(o) enter into any new co-manufacturing contract or amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any co-manufacturing contract whether existing on the Initial Closing Date or entered into thereafter;

(p) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any third-party labor contract whether existing on the Initial Closing Date or entered into thereafter;

(q) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, or take any action or allow to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to constitute or cause there to be a “Change of Control” under the Tax Receivables Agreement as in effect on the Initial Closing Date;

 

 

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(r) make, change or rescind any material tax election, change any tax accounting method, take any more than ministerial act with respect to (i) the computation of the tax “capital accounts” of the Borrower, (ii) allocations of items of Borrower income, gain, expense or loss for tax “capital account” purposes or for tax purposes, (iii) the allocation of liabilities of the partnership under Section 752, or (iv) the tax reporting or tax positions of the Borrower, or change the Borrower’s independent accounting firm or amend, terminate or modify the retention arrangement with such firm;

(s) amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, in each case, in violation of the Intercreditor Agreements;

(t) enter into, amend, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify any Specified Agreement without the prior written approval of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

(u) agree to or make the Specified Payments;

(v) make any payments or expenditures that are not in compliance with the Approved Budget (subject to Permitted Variances);

(w) form, incorporate or acquire any Subsidiary after the Initial Closing Date unless such Subsidiary (x) becomes a Guarantor by executing and delivering a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement and (y) grants to Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a perfected, super-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all of its assets (other than Excluded Assets) by executing and delivering such security documentation requested by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), and within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may agree) after the formation, incorporation or acquisition of such Subsidiary.

5.6 Litigation Cooperation. Should any third-party suit or proceeding be instituted by or against any Agent or any Lender with respect to any Collateral or relating to Holdings or Borrower, each of Holdings and Borrower shall, without expense to any Agent or any Lender, make available Holdings, Borrower and their respective officers, employees and agents and Holdings’ and Borrower’s respective books and records, to the extent that Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) may deem them reasonably necessary in order to prosecute or defend any such suit or proceeding.

5.7 Notification of Changes. Borrower will promptly, after becoming aware thereof, notify Administrative Agent in writing of (i) (x) any Default or Event of Default, (y) any “Default” or “Event of Default” under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement] and the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement (in each case, as such terms are defined therein) (unless also constituting a Default or Event of Default hereunder) and (z) any “Default” or “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing under any agreement of the Borrower evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed money (in each case, as such terms are defined in, or such similar terms used in, the applicable definitive documentation for such Indebtedness), and in each case, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) any Material Adverse Change.

5.8 Further Assurances. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees, at its expense, on request by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), to execute all documents and take all actions, as Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), deem necessary or useful in order to perfect and maintain Collateral Agent’s super-priority perfected security interest in the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens and the Intercreditor Agreements), and in order to fully consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

 

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5.9 Right to Appoint Observer. Holdings agrees that: (a) the Lenders shall have the option and right to appoint one (1) representative (the “Observer”) to attend all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof in a non-voting, non-participating observer capacity; (b) any Observer appointed pursuant to this Section 5.9 may observe discussions of all matters brought to the Board or any committee thereof for consideration, but in no event shall the Observer (i) be deemed to be member of the Board or any committee thereof, (ii) have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Guarantors or their respective Affiliates or investors, or (iii) have the right to participate in any discussions, vote on, propose or offer any motions or resolutions to the Board or any committee thereof, or in any manner give instructions or directions to the Board, any committee thereof or any member thereof or determine Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any of the other Guarantors’ policies or business decisions; (c) Holdings shall provide to the Observer copies of any notices, minutes and consents, including draft versions, proposed written consents and exhibits and annexes to any such materials, in each case, to the extent provided to the Board members in their capacity as such (collectively, “Board Materials”), at substantially the same time and in the same manner as such information is delivered to the members of the Board; (d) the presence of the Observer shall not be taken into account or required for purposes of establishing a quorum; and (e) Holdings shall reimburse Administrative Agent for reasonable out of pocket expenses of the Observer (including, without limitation, expenses relating to attending board meetings or other events pertaining to the Borrower that such Observer attends); provided, however, that Holdings may withhold information and exclude the Observer from any meeting or portion thereof if the Board determines in good faith and upon the advice of counsel that such exclusion is necessary to preserve the attorney-client privilege or to avoid a conflict of interest. Holdings shall indemnify and provide for the advancement of expenses to the Observer to the same extent provided by Holdings to its directors. Holdings acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses constitute third-party rights extended to the Observer by Holdings and do not constitute rights to indemnification or advancement as a result of the Observer serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of Holdings or its Affiliates.

6. REPAYMENT OF LOANS.

6.1 Amortization.

(a) Borrower shall repay the outstanding Initial Loans on the last Business Day of each January, April, July and October of each year (commencing January 31, 2025) and on the Maturity Date, in an amount equal to (i) in the case of such quarterly payments, 0.25% of the aggregate principal of the Initial Loans outstanding immediately after the Initial Closing Date and (ii) in the case of such payment due on the Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Initial Loans outstanding.

(b) Borrower shall repay the outstanding Subsequent Understated AP Loans on the last Business Day of each January, April, July and October of each year (commencing January 31, 2025) and on the Maturity Date, in an amount equal to (i) in the case of such quarterly payments, 0.25% of the aggregate principal of the Subsequent Understated AP Loans outstanding immediately after the funding thereof and (ii) in the case of such payment due on the Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Subsequent Understated AP Loans outstanding.

(c) Borrower shall repay the outstanding Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans on the last Business Day of each January, April, July and October of each year (commencing January 31, 2025) and on the Maturity Date, in an amount equal to (i) in the case of such quarterly payments, 0.25% of the aggregate principal of the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans outstanding immediately after the funding thereof and (ii) in the case of such payment due on the Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans outstanding.

(d) Borrower shall repay the outstanding Additional Loans on the last Business Day of each January, April, July and October of each year (commencing January 31, 2025) and on the Maturity Date, in an amount equal to (i) in the case of such quarterly payments, 0.25% of the aggregate principal of the Additional Loans outstanding immediately after the Additional Loans Funding Date and (ii) in the case of such payment due on the Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Additional Loans outstanding.

 

 

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6.2 Maturity. To the extent not previously paid, all outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium) and other Obligations, shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

(a) any warranty, representation, statement, report or certificate made or delivered to any Agent or any Lender by Holdings, Borrower or any of their respective officers, employees or agents, now or in the future, shall be untrue or misleading in a material respect when made or deemed to be made; or

(b) Borrower shall fail to pay (i) when due, any principal of any Loan or any Applicable Premium or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the date due, any interest on any Loan or any fees, premium or other amount due hereunder; or

(c) there occurs a Budget Event; or

(d) (i) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (as applicable) or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.1, Section 5.5, any of the Financial Covenants set forth in the Schedule or Section 5 of the Schedule, (ii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 6(a) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for ten (10) Business Days or (iii) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8(e) of the Schedule and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days.

(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings or Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (d) of this Section 7.1) and such default shall have continued unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(f) any levy, assessment, attachment, seizure, Lien or encumbrance (other than a Permitted Lien) is made on all or any part of the Collateral which is not cured within 10 days after the occurrence of the same; or

(g) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; or

(h) any event or condition occurs that (i) results in any Amended and Restated PMC Facility becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired and that is not otherwise waived by PMC) the holder or holders of any such Amended and Restated PMC Facility or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Amended and Restated PMC Facility to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided, that no PMC Refinancing shall constitute an Event of Default; or

(i) the Specified Event of Default occurs; or

(j) dissolution, termination of existence, insolvency or business failure of Borrower or any Guarantor; or appointment of a receiver, trustee or custodian, for all or any part of the property of, assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the commencement of any proceeding by Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect; or

 

 

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(k) the commencement of any proceeding against Borrower or any Guarantor under any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, now or in the future in effect, which is not cured by the dismissal thereof within 30 days after the date commenced; or

(l) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any guaranty of the Obligations or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(m) revocation or termination of, or denial of liability upon, any pledge of any certificate of deposit, securities or other property or asset of any kind pledged to secure any or all of the Obligations, or any attempt to do any of the foregoing; or

(n) Borrower makes any payment on account of any indebtedness or obligation, excluding trade payables and other ordinary course purchases, which has been subordinated to the Obligations other than as permitted in the applicable subordination agreement, or if any Person who has subordinated such indebtedness or obligations terminates or in any way limits such subordination agreement; or

(o) the occurrence of a Change of Control; or

(p) there shall be a change in the President, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer, and such person is not replaced with another person acceptable to Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their good faith business judgment) within 30 days thereafter; or

(q) Holdings or the Borrower shall generally not pay its debts as they become due, or Holdings or the Borrower shall conceal, remove or transfer any part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors, or make or suffer any transfer of any of its property which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.1, once an Event of Default has occurred, it shall be deemed continuing regardless if later remedied or cured (unless Administrative Agent waives such Event of Default (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), at its option, and without notice or demand of any kind (all of which are hereby expressly waived by Holdings and the Borrower), may do any one or more of the following, in each case, subject to the Intercreditor Agreements:

(a) cease making Loans or otherwise extending credit to Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(b) accelerate and declare all or any part of the Obligations to be immediately due, payable, and performable, notwithstanding any deferred or installment payments allowed by any instrument or agreement evidencing or relating to any Obligation;

(c) subject to applicable laws, take possession of any or all of the Collateral wherever it may be found, and for that purpose each of Holdings and Borrower hereby authorizes Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) without judicial process to enter onto any of Holdings’ or the Borrower’s premises without interference to search for, take possession of, keep, store, or remove any of the Collateral, and remain on the premises or cause a custodian to remain on the premises in exclusive control thereof, without charge for so long as Collateral Agent deems it necessary (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), in order to complete the enforcement of its rights under this Agreement or any other agreement; provided, however, that should Collateral Agent seek to take possession of any of the Collateral by court process, each of Holdings and Borrower hereby irrevocably waives: (i) any bond and any surety or security relating thereto required by any statute, court rule or otherwise as an incident to such possession; (ii) any demand for possession prior to the commencement of any suit or action to recover possession thereof; and (iii) any requirement that Collateral Agent retain possession of, and not dispose of, any such Collateral until after trial or final judgment;

 

 

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(d) require Holdings and Borrower to assemble any or all of the Collateral and make it available to Collateral Agent at places designated by Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) which are reasonably convenient to Administrative Agent and Holdings or Borrower, as applicable, and to remove the Collateral to such locations as Collateral Agent may deem advisable (at the direction of the Lenders);

(e) complete the processing, manufacturing or repair of any Collateral prior to a disposition thereof and, for such purpose and for the purpose of removal, Collateral Agent shall have the right to use Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises, vehicles, hoists, lifts, cranes, and other Equipment and all other property without charge;

(f) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, in its condition at the time Collateral Agent obtains possession of it or after further manufacturing, processing or repair, at one or more public and/or private sales, in lots or in bulk, for cash, exchange or other property, or on credit, and to adjourn any such sale from time to time without notice other than oral announcement at the time scheduled for sale. Collateral Agent shall have the right to conduct such disposition on Holdings’ and Borrower’s premises without charge, for such time or times as Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) deems reasonable, or on Collateral Agent’s premises, or elsewhere and the Collateral need not be located at the place of disposition. Collateral Agent may directly or through any affiliated company purchase or lease any Collateral at any such public disposition, and if permissible under applicable law, at any private disposition. Any sale or other disposition of Collateral shall not relieve Holdings or Borrower of any liability Holding or Borrower may have if any Collateral is defective as to title or physical condition or otherwise at the time of sale;

(g) demand payment of, and collect any Accounts and General Intangibles comprising Collateral and, in connection therewith, each of Holdings and Borrower irrevocably authorizes any Agent to endorse or sign Holdings’ or Borrower’s (as applicable) name on all collections, receipts, instruments and other documents, to take possession of and open mail addressed to Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) and remove therefrom payments made with respect to any item of the Collateral or proceeds thereof, and, in the Lenders’ sole and absolute discretion, to grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and the like for less than face value; and

(h) demand and receive possession of any of Holdings’ and Borrower’s federal and state income tax returns and the books and records utilized in the preparation thereof or referring thereto.

All reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs, liabilities and obligations incurred by any Agent or any Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. Without limiting any rights and remedies of any Agent or any Lender, from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Obligations shall automatically bear interest at the Default Rate.

7.3 Standards for Determining Commercial Reasonableness. Each of Holdings, Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders agree that a sale or other disposition (collectively, “sale”) of any Collateral which complies with the following standards will conclusively be deemed to be commercially reasonable:

(a) notice of the sale is given to Holdings or Borrower at least ten days prior to the sale, and, in the case of a public sale, notice of the sale is published at least five days before the sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale is to be conducted;

(b) notice of the sale describes the collateral in general, non-specific terms;

 

 

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(c) the sale is conducted at a place designated by Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), with or without the Collateral being present;

(d) the sale commences at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (local time);

(e) payment of the purchase price in cash or by cashier’s check or wire transfer, or by deferred payment obligation acceptable to Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their discretion), is required;

(f) with respect to any sale of any of the Collateral, Collateral Agent may (but is not obligated to) direct any prospective purchaser to ascertain directly from Borrower or Holdings (as applicable) any and all information concerning the same.

Collateral Agent shall be free to employ other methods of noticing and selling the Collateral (at the direction of the Lenders in their discretion) if they are commercially reasonable.

7.4 Power of Attorney. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, without limiting Collateral Agent’s other rights and remedies, each of Holdings and Borrower grants to Collateral Agent an irrevocable power of attorney coupled with an interest, authorizing and permitting Collateral Agent (acting through any of its employees, attorneys or agents) at any time, at its option, but without obligation, with or without notice to Holdings or Borrower, and at Borrower’s expense, to do any or all of the following, in Holdings’ and Borrower’s name (as applicable) or otherwise, but Collateral Agent agrees that if it exercises any right hereunder, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner (at the direction of the Lenders):

(a) execute on behalf of Holdings and Borrower any documents that any Agent may (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), deem advisable in order to perfect and maintain Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, or in order to exercise a right of Holdings, Borrower, any Agent or any Lender, or in order to fully consummate all the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents;

(b) execute on behalf of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable), any invoices relating to any Account, any draft against any Account Debtor and any notice to any Account Debtor, any proof of claim in bankruptcy, any Notice of Lien, claim of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien, or assignment or satisfaction of mechanic’s, materialman’s or other Lien;

(c) take control in any manner of any cash or non-cash items of payment or proceeds of Collateral; endorse the name of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) upon any instruments, or documents, evidence of payment or Collateral that may come into any Agent’s possession;

(d) endorse all checks and other forms of remittances received by any Agent;

(e) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest and adverse claim in or to any of the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same;

(f) grant extensions of time to pay, compromise claims and settle Accounts and General Intangibles for less than face value and execute all releases and other documents in connection therewith;

(g) pay any sums required on account of Holdings’ and Borrower’s taxes or to secure the release of any Liens therefor, or both;

(h) settle and adjust, and give releases of, any insurance claim that relates to any of the Collateral and obtain payment therefor;

(i) instruct any third party having custody or control of any books or records belonging to, or relating to, Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) to give Collateral Agent the same rights of access and other rights with respect thereto as any Agent or Lender has under this Agreement; and

(j) take any action or pay any sum required of Holdings or Borrower (as applicable) pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents.

 

 

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Any and all reasonable sums paid and any and all reasonable costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations and attorneys’ fees incurred by any Agent and any Lender with respect to the foregoing shall be added to and become part of the Obligations, shall be payable on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations. In no event shall any Agent’s or any Lender’s rights under the foregoing power of attorney or any of any Agent’s or any Lender’s other rights under this Agreement be deemed to indicate that any Agent or any Lender is in control of the business, management or properties of Borrower or Holdings (as applicable).

7.5 Application of Proceeds. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, and except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, all proceeds realized as the result of any sale of the Collateral shall be applied by Administrative Agent to the Obligations, in such order as Administrative Agent shall determine (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion). Any surplus shall be paid to Borrower or other Persons legally entitled thereto; Borrower shall remain liable to the Lenders and the Agent for any deficiency. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, if, any Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of Collateral, such Agent shall have the option, exercisable at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, of either reducing the Obligations by the principal amount of purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by such Agent of the cash therefor.

7.6 Remedies Cumulative. In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement, Collateral Agent shall have all the other rights and remedies accorded a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code and under all other applicable laws, and under any other instrument or agreement now or in the future entered into between any Agent, any Lender, Holdings and/or Borrower, and all of such rights and remedies are cumulative and none is exclusive. Exercise or partial exercise by Collateral Agent of one or more of its rights or remedies shall not be deemed an election, nor bar Collateral Agent from subsequent exercise or partial exercise of any other rights or remedies. The failure or delay of Collateral Agent to exercise any rights or remedies shall not operate as a waiver thereof, but all rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until all of the Obligations have been fully paid and performed.

8. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted hereunder) among Collateral Agent, PMC, as collateral agent under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and Borrower, the Guarantors and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted hereunder) among Collateral Agent, PMC, as collateral agent under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and PMC, as collateral agent under the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, Borrower, the Guarantors and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

2024 Exchange Agreement” means that certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among Holdings, Borrower, Administrative Agent and the other parties from time to time party thereto.

Account Control Agreement” means an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent that provides for Administrative Agent to have “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code or Section 8-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

 

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Account Debtor” means the obligor on an Account.

Accounts” means all present and future “accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all accounts receivable and other sums owing to Borrower and/or Holdings.

Additional Loans Funding Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 11 of the Schedule are satisfied or waived by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders their sole and absolute discretion).

Additional Loans Funding Expiration Date” means March 31, 2026.

Additional Loans Use of Proceeds Budget” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Additional Commitment” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the Schedule.

Additional Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the Net Income for such period, plus

(i) without duplication and solely to the extent already deducted in arriving at Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(a) consolidated interest expense,

(b) provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital,

(c) total depreciation and depletion expense,

(d) total amortization expense,

(e) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions;

(f) all extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring charges and expenses and restructuring costs (in each case, not associated with the Transactions); provided that all amounts which are added back to increase Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to this sub-clause (f) shall not be greater than 15.0% of Adjusted EBITDA for any applicable period, provided, further, that all reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the institutions and consultants set forth on Annex E added back pursuant to this clause (f) shall not be subject to the foregoing 15.0% cap;

(g) other non-cash charges that occurred in such period that reduce Net Income in such period (excluding (I) charges that occurred in a prior or other period, (II) inventory write downs or write offs for materials or goods sold or for accounts receivable in such period) and (III) the difference between cash rent and straight-line rent);

(h) stock option, restricted or performance stock unit and other equity-based compensation expenses, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating Net Income; minus

(ii) without duplication, and solely to the extent included in arriving at Net Income in such period: all extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains increasing Net Income for such period (including any such non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash gain in any prior period) and any recognized income from the cancelation of accounts payable or other liabilities included in Net Income, subject to the Specified Deductions.

Adjusted EBITDA Determination Date” means the later of (i) eight (8) days after the Houlihan Lokey Validation Date and (ii) thirty (30) days after any Challenge Date.

Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, a relative, partner, shareholder, director, officer, or employee of such Person, or any parent or subsidiary of such Person, or any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.

Agents” means, collectively, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

 

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Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Amended and Restated PMC Facilities” means (i) the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and (ii) the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement.

Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, among PMC, as lender, Holdings and Borrower (as in effect on the Initial Closing Date).

Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, among PMC, as lender, Holdings and Borrower (as in effect on the Initial Closing Date).

Applicable Interest Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A of the Schedule.

Applicable Premium” shall mean as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Event (as calculated by the Lenders) the premium required for the Lenders to realize a MOIC of at least 2.00x on the Loans made on the Initial Closing Date. For purposes of this definition, “MOIC” shall mean the multiple on invested capital realized by Administrative Agent in respect of its Loan calculated, in respect of any Loans repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of a date certain, as the principal amount of Loans repaid, prepaid or accelerated on such date plus all interest paid in cash on such Loans from the date of initial funding thereof through such repayment, prepayment or acceleration date (exclusive, for the avoidance of doubt, of any default interest, interest paid in kind, fees (including original issue discount and/or upfront fees), expense reimbursements and indemnity payments and any return on Class B Common Stock and Class C Units, or any Class A Units exercisable therefor) divided by the initial principal amount of the Loans so repaid, prepaid or accelerated as of such date (calculated exclusive of any original issue discount and/or upfront fees); provided that in no event shall (i) the MOIC be negative or (ii) the Lenders be required to make any payment to Borrower in connection with the MOIC.

Applicable Premium Event” means (a) any voluntary prepayment of all, or any part, of the principal amount of the Loans and any mandatory prepayment of the Loans, in each case, whether before or after (i) the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, (ii) the commencement of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law or (iii) any acceleration (for any reason) of the Loans; (b) the Maturity Date if upon the full repayment of the Obligations, the return on the Loans is less than the MOIC; (c) the acceleration of the Loans for any reason, including, without limitation, acceleration following or pursuant to an Event of Default, including as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; (d) the satisfaction, release, payment, redemption, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Loans in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law to the Lenders (whether directly or indirectly), in full or partial satisfaction of the Loans; (e) the substantial consummation of any plan of reorganization with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and (f) the termination of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law.

If an Applicable Premium Event occurs under clause (c), (d), (e) or (f) above, the entire outstanding principal amount of the Loans shall be deemed to be subject to the Applicable Premium Event on the date on which such Applicable Premium Event occurs.

Approved Budget” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(iii) of the Schedule.

Asset Sales” means any sale, lease, outbound Intellectual Property license, outbound Intellectual Property sublicense, transfer or other disposition by Borrower to any Person (including by way of redemption by such Person) of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other securities of, or equity interests in, another Person).

 

 

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Available Cash” means all cash held in Deposit Accounts of the Borrower subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) net of Overdue Accounts Payable and all other outstanding liabilities of Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Available Cash shall not include unused availability for revolving borrowings under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement or any other revolving credit facility.

Average Monthly Cash” means for any calendar month ending after the Initial Closing Date (commencing with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024), the amount equal to the quotient of (i) the sum of Available Cash as calculated for each calendar day during such calendar month divided by (ii) the number of calendar days occurring during such calendar month.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership of Borrower as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. §1010.230.

Board” means the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of Holdings.

Board Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Borrower’s Address” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4.

Borrowing Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a).

Budget” means the 13-week statement of Borrower’s anticipated cash receipts and cash disbursements (including, without limitation, cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the 13 weeks ending after the Initial Closing Date (commencing Friday, October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), as set forth on a weekly basis, as may be updated from time to time by an Approved Updated Budget.

Budget Event” means (i) the actual amount of aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) during any Budget Testing Period exceeding the projected aggregate operating disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance and/or (ii) the actual amount of aggregate operating receipts during any Budget Testing Period being less than the projected aggregate operating receipts in the Budget for such Budget Testing Period by more than a Permitted Variance.

Budget Testing Date” means, with respect to the Budget, each Wednesday of each calendar week occurring after the Initial Closing Date (commencing on October 16, 2024) and each Wednesday thereafter.

Budget Testing Period” means, the week period ending immediately prior to the Budget Testing Date (i.e., Sunday to Saturday).

Business Day” means for all purposes any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be in New York City a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other government action to close.

Capital Expenditures” means all expenditures made and liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed asset or improvement, replacement, substitution or addition thereto which has a useful life of more than one year and including, without limitation, those arising in connection with any lease of property by Borrower that, in accordance with GAAP, should be capitalized for financial reporting purposes and reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of Borrower.

 

 

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Capitalized Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person which, under GAAP, are or will be required to be capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with GAAP.

Challenge Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) of the Schedule.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Initial Closing Date:

(x) there shall be a change in the record or beneficial ownership of an aggregate of more than 20% of the outstanding shares of stock of, or equity ownership interest in, Holdings, in one or more transactions, compared to the ownership of the same in effect on the date hereof, without the prior written consent of the Lenders (excluding any change in ownership from (i) the issuance of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units to PMC or the Lenders representing up to 49.99% of the greater of (x) the equity ownership interests in the Borrower and the voting power in Holdings as of the date hereof and (y) the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings as of the Additional Loans Funding Date to the Lenders and up to 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings to the Lenders, (ii) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and/or Class C Units pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement or (iii) any acquisition of shares of stock or equity interests in Holdings or Borrower by PMC or the Lenders or any of their respective Affiliates) or

(y) Holdings ceases to own, directly, beneficially, 100.0% of the issued and outstanding Class A equity interests of Borrower.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Holdings.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Holdings.

Class C Unit” means a Class C Unit of Borrower.

COI Equipment” means assets currently stored at 1820 Yeager Ave, LaVerne CA 91750 as set forth on Annex H.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 above.

Collateral Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Commitments” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the Schedule.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default” means any event which with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate” has the meaning set forth in set forth in Section 2 of the Schedule.

Deposit Accounts” means all present and future “deposit accounts” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all general and special bank accounts, demand accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

Designated Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a).

Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

Equipment” means all present and future “equipment” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all machinery, fixtures, goods, vehicles (including motor vehicles and trailers), and any interest in any of the foregoing.

 

 

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Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Excess” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A of the Schedule.

Excluded Assets” means (i) any account exclusively used for funding payroll or segregating payroll taxes or funding other employee wage or benefit for the then current payroll period, (ii) zero balance accounts the balance of which is swept each Business Day to a Deposit Account subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), (iii) trust, fiduciary or other escrow accounts established for the benefit of third parties in the ordinary course of business or in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments, or (iv) any account that is not located in the United States.

Existing PMC Loan and Security Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2016 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) between PMC and the Borrower.

Financial Covenants” means the financial covenants set forth in Section 5 of the Schedule.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America consistently applied.

General Intangibles” means all present and future “general intangibles” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all Intellectual Property, payment intangibles, royalties, contract rights, goodwill, franchise agreements, purchase orders, customer lists, route lists, telephone numbers, domain names, claims, income tax refunds, security and other deposits, options to purchase or sell real or personal property, rights in all litigation presently or hereafter pending (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), insurance policies (including without limitation key man, property damage, and business interruption insurance), payments of insurance and rights to payment of any kind.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any U.S. or foreign federal, state, provincial, territorial, municipal, local or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency, instrumentality or body, court, arbitrator or self-regulatory organization.

Guarantee Agreement” means that certain Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) among Holdings, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Administrative Agent.

Guarantors” means, collectively, (i) Holdings and (ii) each other Person who has guaranteed, or in the future guarantees, any of the Obligations.

Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Houlihan Lokey Validation” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of the Schedule.

Houlihan Lokey Validation Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of the Schedule.

including” means including (but not limited to).

Indebtedness” of any Person means:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money,

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments,

(c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person,

(d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, including earnouts (other than trade payables accrued in the ordinary course of business and that are not outstanding for a period of more than 180 days),

 

 

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(e) all purchased money indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person,

(f) all net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding hedging agreements,

(g) the maximum amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations, all non-contingent obligations of such person in respect of letters of credit, and

(h) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (g) above.

Initial Closing Date” means the first date on which all of the conditions precedent in Section 9 of Schedule are satisfied or waived by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), which date was September 20, 2024.

Initial Commitment” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the Schedule.

Initial Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

Inside Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Schedule.

Intellectual Property” means, collectively, all present and future intellectual property and proprietary rights in any jurisdiction throughout the word, including (a) copyrights, copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work of authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished, (b) Internet domain names, social media account identifiers, trade secret rights, including all rights to unpatented inventions and know-how, processes, production methods and confidential information; (c) mask work or similar rights available for the protection of semiconductor chips; (d) patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisionals, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same; (e) trademarks, service marks, trade styles, and trade names, whether or not any of the foregoing are registered, and all applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected or associated with and symbolized by any such trademarks; (f) computer software and computer software products; (g) designs and design rights; (h) technology; (i) all causes of action, claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment of any of the rights included above and all income, royalties, license fees damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under or with respect thereto; and (j) all licenses or user or other agreements granted to or by Borrower with respect to any of the foregoing.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively, the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement and the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement.

Interest Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each calendar month (commencing on September 30, 2024) and the Maturity Date.

Inventory” means all present and future “inventory” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and includes without limitation all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products, including without limitation such inventory as is temporarily out of Borrower’s custody or possession or in transit and including any returned goods and any documents of title representing any of the above.

Investment” means any beneficial ownership interest in any Person (including stock, securities, partnership interest, limited liability company interest, or other interests), any acquisition by Borrower, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the equity interests of or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person, and any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person, including the creation or capital contribution to any wholly-owned or partially-owned subsidiary).

 

 

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Investment Property” means all present and future investment property, securities, stocks, bonds, debentures, debt securities, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, options, security entitlements, securities accounts, commodity contracts, commodity accounts, and all financial assets held in any securities account or otherwise, and all options and warrants to purchase any of the foregoing, wherever located, and all other securities of every kind, whether certificated or uncertificated.

Lender” means each lender holding an Initial Commitment or any outstanding Initial Loans, each lender holding an Additional Commitment or any outstanding Additional Loans, each lender holding any outstanding Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans, each lender holding any outstanding Subsequent Understated AP Loans, as well as any Person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 9.14.

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, charge, hypothec, deed of trust, Lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset; and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Litigation Annex” means the litigation schedule attached hereto as Annex F on the Initial Closing Date (as such Annex F may be supplemented from time to time after the Initial Closing Date by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) for any outstanding claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings not disclosed to any Agent or any Lender that existed prior to the Initial Closing Date).

Loans” means, collectively, the Initial Loans, the Subsequent Understated AP Loans (if any) and the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (if any) and the Additional Loans (if any).

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, any Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Perfection Certificate, the Budgets, the Variance Reports, and all other present and future documents, instruments and agreements between any Lender, any Agent and Borrower (or Guarantor, if applicable), including, but not limited to those relating to this Agreement, and all amendments and modifications thereto and replacements therefor.

Loan Parties” means Borrower and the Guarantors. As of the Initial Closing Date, the Loan Parties are Borrower and Holdings.

Material Adverse Change” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, or financial or other condition of Borrower; (b) a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations; or (c) a material impairment of the value or priority of Collateral Agent’s security interests in the Collateral.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than (i) the Obligations and (ii) the obligations under the Amended and Restated PMC Facilities) of Borrower in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000 (excluding ordinary course trade payables).

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in the Schedule.

Maximum Legal Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A of the Schedule.

 

 

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Net Cash Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) cash payments (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by Borrower from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (1) income or gains taxes (but excluding any tax distributions) payable by the Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale, (2) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that, in the case of a Loan Party, is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Borrower in connection with such Asset Sale or for any other liabilities retained by Borrower associated with such Asset Sale, (4) bona fide selling fees, costs, commissions and expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes) and (5) Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the properties sold within 180 days of such Asset Sale; provided that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 180 days of such Asset Sale, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; (b) (i) any cash payments or proceeds received by Borrower (1) under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder arising after the Initial Closing Date or (2) as a result of the taking of any assets of Borrower by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (1) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Borrower in connection with the collection, adjustment or settlement of any claims of Borrower in respect thereof, and (2) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in preceding clause (i)(2)) including income taxes (but excluding tax distributions) paid or imminently payable by Borrower as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of assets for transfer upon a taking or condemnation; and (c) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds thereof, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

Net Income” means, as calculated on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any period as at any date of determination, the net profit (or loss), after provision for taxes, of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period taken as a single accounting period.

Obligations” means all present and future Loans, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, guaranties, covenants, duties and indebtedness at any time owing by Borrower to the Lenders and the Agents, whether evidenced by this Agreement or any note or other instrument or document, or otherwise, whether arising from an extension of credit, opening of a letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, whether direct or indirect (including, without limitation, those acquired by assignment and any participation by any Lender in Borrower’s debts owing to others), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, including, without limitation, all principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, premium (including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium), attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, audit fees, letter of credit fees, collateral monitoring fees, closing fees, facility fees, auction fees, liquidation fees, appraisal fees, termination fees, minimum interest charges and any other sums chargeable to Borrower under this Agreement or under any other Loan Documents.

Observer” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

Other Property” means the following as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof with such additions to such term as may hereafter be made, and all rights relating thereto: all present and future “commercial tort claims” (including without limitation any commercial tort claims identified in the Perfection Certificate), “documents”, “instruments”, “promissory notes”, “chattel paper”, “letters of credit”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “fixtures”, “farm products” and “money”; and all other goods and personal property of every kind, tangible and intangible, whether or not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

 

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Outstanding Accounts Payable” means the accounts payable balances (including the vendors in respect thereof) of Borrower as of the Initial Closing Date as set forth on Annex B (as such Annex B may be supplemented from time to time after the Initial Closing Date by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule” means the payment plan and milestone dates for overdue accounts payable of Borrower as set forth on Annex C (as such Annex C may be supplemented from time to time after the Initial Closing Date by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) for any Understated Accounts Payable Amount).

Payment” means all checks, wire transfers and other items of payment received by any Agent or any Lender (including proceeds of Accounts and payment of the Obligations in full) for credit to Borrower’s outstanding Loans.

Perfection Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(i) of the Schedule. The Perfection Certificate is set forth on Annex A-2.

Permitted Dispositions” means:

(i) the sale of finished Inventory and all other goods and services in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

(ii) ordinary course uses and transfers of cash and cash equivalents;

(iii) intercompany sales or dispositions of assets between Borrower and any Subsidiaries of Borrower in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(iv) subject to the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), disposals of damaged, obsolete, used, worn out or surplus assets (including, without limitation, equipment and fixtures) no longer used or useful to the business of Borrower or economically impracticable to maintain;

(v) sales of property (including like-kind exchanges) to the extent that (x) such property is exchanged for credit (on a fair market value basis) against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (y) such property is sold or otherwise disposed of for fair market value and the proceeds of such sale or disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of similar replacement property;

(vi) leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of property or Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties;

(vii) Asset Sales with a fair market value less than or equal to $250,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year;

(viii) Asset Sales of COI Equipment for fair market value and for consideration less than or equal to $5,000,000; and

(viii) subject to the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion), Asset Sales so long as (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by Borrower), (2) no less than 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale shall be paid in cash or cash equivalents, (3) no Event of Default is continuing or would exist after giving effect thereto and (4) the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 4.2(a), provided, that the fair market value of all such Asset Sales in any fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

  (a)

the Obligations;

(b) (i) the obligations under the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,986,153.25 and (ii) the obligations under the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,543,574.95, (in each case, plus any increases to principal as a result of any interest or fees paid in kind, as applicable and any Applicable Premium (as defined in each of the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement and the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement); and

 

 

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(c) trade payables and other contractual obligations to suppliers and customers incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) Investments in Subsidiaries shown on the Perfection Certificate and existing on the date hereof;

(b) cash and cash equivalents;

(c) Investments consisting of Deposit Accounts in which Collateral Agent has a super-priority perfected security interest (subject to the Intercreditor Agreements);

(d) Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; and

(e) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000.

Permitted Liens” means the following:

(a) Liens securing the Obligations;

(b) Liens on the Collateral, which may rank pari passu in right of security with the Liens securing the Obligations (other than the Liens on the Designated Account and all funds maintained therein), securing the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement, and at all times subject to the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement;

(c) Liens on the Collateral, which must rank junior in right of security to the Liens securing the Obligations, securing the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, and at all times subject to the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement;

(d) any leases of specific items of Equipment listed in the Perfection Certificate;

(e) [Reserved];

(f) Liens for taxes not yet payable or contested in good faith by Borrower in accordance with Section 3.8; and

(g) additional security interests and Liens which are subordinate to the security interest of Collateral Agent and are consented to in writing by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders, which consent may be withheld in their sole and absolute discretion).

Permitted Disbursements Variance” means actual disbursements (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule) for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no greater than 115% (or such greater percentage determined by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected disbursements in the then in-effect Approved Budget (excluding cash outflows pursuant to the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule).

Permitted Receipts Variance” means actual cash receipts for the most recently ended Budget Testing Period are no less than 85% (or such lesser percentage determined by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) in its sole and absolute discretion if requested by management of the Borrower) of the projected cash receipts in the then in-effect Approved Budget.

Permitted Variance” means, collectively, the Permitted Receipts Variance and the Permitted Disbursements Variance.

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

Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) by Holdings in favor of Administrative Agent.

 

 

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PMC” means PMC Financial Services Group, LLC.

PMC Paydown Date” means the date on which PMC receives an amount equal to the Additional Commitment (which for the avoidance of doubt, is an amount equal to $50,000,000 as of the Initial Closing Date, as reduced from time to time, in the Lenders’ sole and absolute discretion, by the amount of any Subsequent Understated AP Loans and any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans, in each case funded from time to time hereunder, minus all fees and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 11 of the Schedule, in each case, in accordance with the Approved Budget, consisting of direct or indirect proceeds from the Lenders (either by way of assignment of all or any portion of the Loans (as defined in the Amended and Restated PMC Equipment and Revolving Loan and Security Agreement) to any of the Lenders or by way of funding by any of the Lenders of loan proceeds to Borrower and repayment or prepayment by Borrower).

PMC Refinancing” means the repayment or prepayment in full of any Amended and Restated PMC Facility, subject to the consent of the Lenders (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

Proposed Budget” has the meaning set forth in Section 6 of the Schedule.

Schedule” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Secured Parties” means, collectively, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and each Lender and each sub-agent from time to time appointed by Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to the Loan Documents or the Collateral.

Security Documents” means the Pledge Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered from time to time entered into by the Loan Parties.

Specified Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section Annex G.

Specified Amounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Conditions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Deductions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Dispute” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Payments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Post-Closing Requirements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Specified Use” has the meaning assigned to such term in Annex G.

Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Subsequent Understated AP Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a Person of which more than 50% of the voting stock or other equity interests is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Affiliates of such Person.

Tax Receivables Agreement” means Amended and Restated Tax Receivables Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among the corporation, the Lenders, the TRA Holders (as defined therein), and Bryan Freeman, in his capacity as TRA Holder Representative (s defined therein) (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted herein.)

 

 

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Termination Date” means the date on which (a) all Commitments shall have been terminated and (b) the principal of and interest on the Loans, all fees, premium (including the Applicable Premium) and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (other than in respect of contingent indemnification, expense reimbursement claims and other contingent obligations not then due and payable).

Total Litigation Settlement Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Transactions” means the transactions to occur pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the super-priority Liens pursuant to the Security Documents and the extension of credit hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof, (b) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing, (c) the amendment and restatement of certain warrants issued by Holdings to PMC, (d) the issuance of the Class B Common Stock and Class C Units to Emblem and, at PMC’s option and subject to certain conditions, PMC, and (e) the exchange of Class B Common Stock and Class C Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2024 Exchange Agreement.

Understated Accounts Payable Amount” means the aggregate amount of all (i) liabilities that would have customarily been included in accounts payable prior to September 15, 2024 and (ii) unpaid accounts payable invoices issued to Borrower prior to September 15, 2024, in each case, that were not included in the management report dated as of September 15, 2024 as represented in Annex B.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction in the United States, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

United States” means the United States of America (including any State or territory thereof and the District of Columbia).

Upfront Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of the Schedule.

Variance Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6 of the Schedule.

Other Terms. All accounting terms used in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings given to such terms in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. All other terms contained in this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings provided by the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent such terms are defined therein.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

9.1 Computations. In computing any interest on the Obligations paid in cash, all Payments received after 12:00 Noon New York time on any day shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, and Payments received by Administrative Agent (including payment of the Obligations in full) shall be deemed applied by Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations two (2) Business Days after receipt by Administrative Agent of immediately available funds.

9.2 Application of Payments. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, all payments with respect to the Obligations may be applied, and by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) reversed and re-applied, to the Obligations, in such order and manner as Administrative Agent shall determine (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion).

 

 

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9.3 Increased Costs and Reduced Return. If any Agent or any Lender shall have determined that the adoption or implementation of, or any change in, any law, rule, treaty or regulation, or any policy, guideline or directive of, or any change in, the interpretation or administration thereof by, any court, central bank or other administrative or governmental authority, or compliance by any Agent or any Lender with any directive of, or guideline from, any central bank or other Governmental Authority or the introduction of, or change in, any accounting principles applicable to any Agent or any Lender (whether or not having the force of law) shall (i) subject any Agent or any Lender to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to this Agreement or any Loan made hereunder, or change the basis of taxation of payments to any Agent or any Lender of any amounts payable hereunder (except for taxes on the overall net income of any Agent or any Lender), (ii) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against any Loan, or against assets of or held by, or deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Agent or any Lender, or (iii) impose on any Agent or any Lender any other condition regarding this Agreement or any Loan, and the result of any event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase the cost to any Agent or any Lender of making any Loan, or agreeing to make any Loan or to reduce any amount received or receivable by any Agent or any Lender, then, upon demand by any Agent or any Lender, Borrower shall pay to such Agent or such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Agent or such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amount. All amounts payable under this Section shall bear interest from the date of demand by any Agent or any Lender until payment in full to any Agent or any Lender at the highest interest rate applicable to the Obligations. A certificate of Any Agent or any Lender claiming compensation under this Section, specifying the event herein above described and the nature of such event shall be submitted by such Agent or such Lender to Borrower, setting forth the additional amount due and an explanation of the calculation thereof, and such Agent or such Lender’s reasons for invoking the provisions of this Section, and the same shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error.

9.4 [Reserved].

9.5 Monthly Accountings. Administrative Agent may provide Borrower monthly with an account of advances, charges, expenses and payments made pursuant to this Agreement if requested by Borrower. Such account shall be deemed correct, accurate and binding on Borrower and an account stated (except for reverses and reapplications of payments made and corrections of errors discovered by Administrative Agent), unless Borrower notifies Administrative Agent in writing to the contrary within 60 days after such account is rendered, describing the nature of any alleged errors or omissions.

9.6 Notices. All notices to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given either personally or by reputable private delivery service or by regular first-class mail, or certified mail return receipt requested, addressed, or by electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent.

(i) to the Loan Parties at the address shown in the heading to this Agreement, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 155 Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002, attention: Jim Behling, Chief Financial Officer, mobile: 312.656.5810 (the “Borrower’s Address”),

(ii) to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender at 55 Cliff Road, Wellesley, MA 02481, with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice): Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Jason Serlenga, P.C.; Jennifer McWhaw, Email: jason.serlenga@kirkland.com; jennifer.mcwhaw@kirkland.com, or

(iii) for either party at any other address designated in writing by one party to the other party.

All notices shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery in the case of notices personally delivered, or at the expiration of one Business Day following delivery to the private delivery service, or two Business Days following the deposit thereof in the United States mail, with postage prepaid.

9.7 Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, such defect shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect.

9.8 Integration. This Agreement and such other written agreements, documents and instruments as may be executed in connection herewith are the final, entire and complete agreement between Holdings, Borrower, the Agents and the Lender and supersede all prior and contemporaneous negotiations and oral representations and agreements, all of which are merged and integrated in this Agreement. There are no oral understandings. representations or agreements between the parties which are not set forth in this Agreement or in other written agreements signed by the parties in connection herewith.

 

 

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9.9 Waivers; Indemnity. The failure of any Agent or any Lender at any time or times to require Borrower to strictly comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive or diminish any right of any Agent or any Lender later to demand and receive strict compliance therewith. Any waiver of any default shall not waive or affect any other default, whether prior or subsequent, and whether or not similar. None of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or knowledge of any Agent, any Lender or their respective agents or employees, but only by a specific written waiver signed by an authorized officer of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and delivered to Borrower. Each of Holdings and Borrower waives the benefit of all statutes of limitations relating to any of the Obligations or this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and each of Holdings and Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any commercial paper, instrument, account, General Intangible, document or guaranty at any time held by any Agent or any Lender on which Holdings and Borrower is or may in any way be liable, and notice of any action taken by any Agent or any Lender, unless expressly required by this Agreement. Each of Holdings and Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, parent, directors, officers, employees, agents, and attorneys, and to hold them harmless from and against any and all claims, debts, liabilities, demands, obligations, actions, causes of action, penalties, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), of every kind, which they may sustain or incur based upon or arising out of any of the Obligations, or any relationship or agreement between any Agent, any Lender, Holdings or Borrower, or any other matter, relating to Holdings, Borrower or the Obligations; provided that this indemnity shall not extend to damages proximately caused by the indemnitee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the indemnity agreement set forth in this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and shall for all purposes continue in full force and effect.

9.10 Liability. NEITHER ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, MADE, CLAIMED, INCURRED OR SUFFERED BY HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PARTY THROUGH THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS, BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL RELIEVE ANY AGENT OR ANY LENDER FROM LIABILITY FOR ITS OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. NEITHER ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER, NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO HOLDINGS, BORROWER OR TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF ANY FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION HAVING BEEN EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER ACT, OMISSION OR TRANSACTION.

 

 

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9.11 Amendment. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, amended or otherwise modified, except in a writing executed by Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

9.12 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance by Holdings and Borrower of each and every obligation under this Agreement.

9.13 Attorneys Fees and Costs. Borrower shall reimburse the Lenders and the Agents for all reasonable attorneys’ fees and all filing, recording, search, title insurance, appraisal, audit, and other reasonable costs incurred by the Lenders and the Agents, pursuant to, or in connection with, or relating to this Agreement (whether or not a lawsuit is filed), including, but not limited to, any reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs the Lenders and the Agents incur in order to do the following: prepare and negotiate this Agreement and all present and future documents relating to this Agreement; obtain legal advice in connection with this Agreement or Borrower; enforce, or seek to enforce, any of its rights; prosecute actions against, or defend actions by, Account Debtors; commence, intervene in, or defend any action or proceeding; initiate any complaint to be relieved of the automatic stay in bankruptcy; file or prosecute any probate claim, bankruptcy claim, third-party claim, or other claim; examine, audit, copy, and inspect any of the Collateral or any of Borrower’s books and records; protect, obtain possession of, lease, dispose of, or otherwise enforce Collateral Agent’s security interest in, the Collateral; and otherwise represent any Agent or any Lender in any litigation relating to Borrower. If either any Agent, any Lender, Holdings or Borrower files any lawsuit against the other predicated on a breach of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees, including (but not limited to) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the enforcement of, execution upon or defense of any order, decree, award or judgment. All attorneys’ fees and costs to which any Lender or ay Agent may be entitled pursuant to this Paragraph shall immediately become part of Borrower’s Obligations, shall be due on demand, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the highest interest rate applicable to any of the Obligations.

9.14 Benefit of Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives of Holdings, Borrower, the Lenders and the Agents; provided, however, that Holdings and Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), and any prohibited assignment shall be void. No consent by Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) to any assignment shall release Holdings or Borrower from its liability for the Obligations.

9.15 [Reserved].

9.16 Limitation of Actions. Any claim or cause of action by Holdings or Borrower against any Agent, any Lender or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, based upon, arising from, or relating to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, or any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or relating hereto or thereto, or any other matter, cause or thing whatsoever, occurred, done, omitted or suffered to be done by any Agent, any Lenders or any other their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants or attorneys, shall be barred unless asserted by Holdings or Borrower by the commencement of an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction by the filing of a complaint within one year after the first act, occurrence or omission upon which such claim or cause of action, or any part thereof, is based, and the service of a summons and complaint on an officer of such Agent or Lender, or on any other person authorized to accept service on behalf of such Agent or Lender, within thirty (30) days thereafter. Each of Holdings and Borrower agrees that such one-year period is a reasonable and sufficient time for Holdings and Borrower, as applicable, to investigate and act upon any such claim or cause of action. The one-year period provided herein shall not be waived, tolled, or extended except by the written consent of Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion). This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

 

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9.17 Paragraph Headings; Construction. Paragraph headings are only used in this Agreement for convenience. Holdings, Borrower, each Agent and each Lender acknowledge that the headings may not describe completely the subject matter of the applicable paragraph, and the headings shall not be used in any manner to construe, limit, define or interpret any term or provision of this Agreement. This Agreement has been fully reviewed and negotiated between the parties and no uncertainty or ambiguity in any term or provision of this Agreement shall be construed strictly against any Agent, any Lender, Holdings or Borrower under any rule of construction or otherwise.

9.18 Public Announcement. Borrower hereby agrees that the Lenders may make a public announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and may publicize the same in marketing materials, newspapers and other publications, and otherwise, and in connection therewith may use Borrower’s name, tradenames and logos. Each Lender understands and acknowledges that Borrower may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws to publicly announce the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that Borrower shall not make any such public announcement unless the Lenders have provided their prior written approval of the form and substance of such public announcement (in their reasonable discretion).

9.19 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

9.20 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) Each of Holdings, Borrower, the Lenders and the Agents irrevocably and unconditionally agree that they will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party hereto agrees that any Agent and any Lender retains the right to bring proceedings against any Loan Party in the courts of any other jurisdiction solely in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies to enforce its security interest in the Collateral created hereunder or under any other Security Document or as otherwise provided in the Guarantee Agreement.

(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

 

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(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.6. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

9.21 Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial. HOLDINGS, BORROWER, EACH AGENT EACH AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER PRESENT OR FUTURE INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT BETWEEN ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER, HOLDINGS AND BORROWER, OR ANY CONDUCT, ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER OR ANY OF THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS OR ANY OTHER PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER, HOLDINGS OR BORROWER, IN ALL OF THE FOREGOING CASES, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE.

9.22 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by each Agent and each Lender and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the

Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, regardless of any investigation made by such person or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein shall survive the Termination Date.

9.23 Withholding Taxes. Prior to Borrower making any payments to Administrative Agent or a Lender, Administrative Agent shall have delivered to Borrower a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 (or applicable IRS Form W-8). Borrower, each Lender and Administrative Agent each hereby agree that each payment by Borrower under this Agreement shall, except as required by law, be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future taxes. In the event that Borrower is required to withhold any amounts in respect of taxes under applicable law, Borrower shall (i) withhold or deduct any taxes required to be withheld or deducted from any payment due hereunder and (ii) pay such additional amounts so that after taking into account all taxes withheld or deducted from payments to Administrative Agent or a Lender (including on any additional amounts payable pursuant to this clause) each Lender receives the amount that it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. Borrower shall pay to the appropriate Governmental Authority any such taxes withheld or deducted before penalties are payable thereon, and if any such penalties are payable, Borrower shall also make payment thereof when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority. Within thirty (30) days after each such payment of taxes or penalties, Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a receipt evidencing such payment.

 

 

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9.24 Investment Unit. For U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income tax purposes, each Lender and the Borrower agree (i) to treat the Class C Units issued to the Lenders contemporaneously with the issuance of the Initial Loans as equity of the Borrower as of the Initial Closing Date, (ii) to treat the Initial Loans as debt, (iii) to treat such Class C Units, the value of the rights acquired or to be acquired by the Lenders under the Tax Receivables Agreement and the Initial Loans as having been issued as an “investment unit” under Section 1.1273-2(h) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and (iv) the portion of the “issue price” of the investment unit allocated to the Class C Units and the rights acquired under the Tax Receivables Agreement to be an aggregate amount equal to $2,800,000 and the portion of the “issue price” of the investment unit allocated to the Initial Loans to be an aggregate amount equal to $56,000,000 (taking into account the fees payable pursuant to Section 1.6). The Administrative Agent shall determine (in consultation with but without the consent of the Borrower) the issue price of any Additional Loans, taking into account any Class C Units or other equity issued to and any fees shown on the Schedule paid to the Lenders in connection with such Additional Loans. Each Lender and the Borrower agree not to take any action or position contrary to this Section 9.24 unless required pursuant to a determination (as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any similar provision of other applicable tax law). To the extent not otherwise provided, Administrative Agent and each Lender (or a transferee of a Lender) shall provide the Borrower with a duly executed IRS Form W-9 (or any successor or similar form) on the Initial Closing Date or on the date of any transfer, as applicable.

9.25 Register. The Administrative Agent shall keep, on behalf of the Borrower, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and any of their registered assigns and the principal amount of the Loans (and interest amounts) owing pursuant to this Agreement to the Lenders and any of their registered assigns, and shall take all other commercially reasonable actions necessary to cause the Loans governed by this Agreement to be in “registered form” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The entries in the register shall be conclusive absent manifest error. No assignment of a Loan shall be effective unless recorded in the register. The register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower at any reasonable time, with reasonable advance notice. The Loans are intended to be in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and within the meaning of Code Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2), and the parties hereto shall report consistently therewith for all tax purposes.

9.26 Counterparts; Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

9.27 Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

(a) Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Emblem-RGF Main LLC to act on its behalf as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 9.27 are solely for the benefit of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the Lenders, and the Loan Parties shall not have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

 

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(b) Administrative Agent shall also act as the “Collateral Agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Loans, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of Administrative Agent or the Lenders, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of Section 9.9 and Section 9.10 as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

(c) The Lenders may remove, replace, or appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent through a writing signed by the Lenders.

(d) Any and all actions (other than ministerial actions related to the administration of the Loans or non-discretionary actions expressly contemplated to be taken pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents) or inactions (including, without limitation, any actions or inactions related to the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or other Loan Documents) by Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be taken solely at the direction of the Lenders. Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent acknowledge and agree to the requirements for acting set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, and agree to not take any actions or inactions that require the direction of the Lenders without first obtaining such direction.

 

 

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Borrower:
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name: Timothy S. Zimmer
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Holdings:
THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name: Timothy S. Zimmer
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF EXECUTIVE LLC,
as Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF BLOCKER INC.,
as Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.5

Execution Version

 

 

Emblem-RGF Main LLC

Schedule to

Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement

 

Borrower:    Real Good Foods, LLC
Holdings:    The Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Address:    3 Executive Campus, Suite 155
   Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
Date:    September 20, 2024

This Schedule forms an integral part of the Super-Priority Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Real Good Foods, LLC (f.k.a. The Real Good Food Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party hereto and Emblem-RGF Main LLC, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Collateral Agent”).

 

 

 

1.  COMMITMENTS

(Section 1.1 and Section 1.4):

  

As used herein, the term “Initial Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Initial Loans on the Initial Closing Date (subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 9 of this Schedule). The amount of each Lender’s Initial Commitment as of the Initial Closing Date is set forth on Annex A-1. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Initial Commitments as of the Initial Closing Date is $60,000,000. Once funded on the Initial Closing Date, the Initial Commitment shall be $0.00.

 

As used herein, the term “Additional Commitment” means the commitment of the Lenders to make Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date (subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 11 of this Schedule). The aggregate amount of the Lender’s Additional Commitment as of the Initial Closing Date is $50,000,000, provided, that, if elected by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion, such amount may be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by each dollar funded by the Lenders collectively, at any time on or after the Initial Closing Date, of Subsequent Understated AP Loans and Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans. Once funded on the Additional Loans Funding Date, the Additional Commitment shall be $0.00.


  

Commitments” means, the Initial Commitment and the Additional Commitment.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Lenders do not have any commitment (jointly or severally) to make any Subsequent Understated AP Loans or Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans and the decision to make any such Subsequent Understated AP Loans or Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans shall be at the Lenders’ election and in the Lenders’ sole and absolute discretion (subject to the consent of PMC not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) as further set forth in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of this Agreement, respectively.

2.  INTEREST.

Interest Rate (Section 1.5):

  

Prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date, the Initial Loans made on the Initial Closing Date and outstanding from time to time shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to 15.00% which shall be paid in-kind, as further set forth in Section 1.5 of this Agreement. From and after the Additional Loans Funding Date, the Initial Loans made on the Initial Closing Date and outstanding from time shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to (i) 8.00% (payable in cash) and (ii) 7.00% (payable in-kind), as further set forth in Section 1.5 of this Agreement.

 

Prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date, Subsequent Understated AP Loans and the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (if made in the sole and absolute discretion of the Lenders in accordance with Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of this Agreement, respectively) from time to time outstanding after the Initial Closing Date shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to 15.00% which shall be paid in-kind, as further set forth in Section 1.5 of this Agreement.

 

From and after the Additional Loans Funding Date, Subsequent Understated AP Loans and the Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (if made in the sole and absolute discretion of Lenders in accordance with Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of this Agreement, respectively) from time to time outstanding after the Initial Closing Date shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to (i) 8.00% (payable in cash) and (ii) 7.00% (payable in-kind), as further set forth in Section 1.5 of this Agreement.

 

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The Additional Loans shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to (i) 8.00% (payable in cash) and (ii) 7.00% (payable in-kind), as further set forth in Section 1.5 of this Agreement.

 

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Loans and all other monetary Obligations shall bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable Debtor Relief Laws) at a rate (the “Default Rate”) that is 5.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder which shall be payable in cash in immediately available funds on demand.

2A. USURY SAVINGS CLAUSE

Provisions Relating to Interest

   Notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement regarding the rates of interest applicable to the Loans, if at any time the amount of such interest computed on the basis of the interest rate set forth herein (the “Applicable Interest Rate”) would exceed the amount of such interest computed upon the basis of the maximum rate of interest permitted by applicable state or federal law in effect from time to time hereafter, after taking into account, to the extent required by applicable law, any and all fees and charges in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law provided for in this Agreement or in any other agreement between Borrower and any Lender (the “Maximum Legal Rate”), the interest payable under this Agreement shall be computed upon the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate, but any subsequent reduction in the Applicable Interest Rate shall not reduce such interest thereafter payable hereunder below the amount computed on the basis of the Maximum Legal Rate until the aggregate amount of such interest accrued and payable under this Agreement equals the total amount of interest which would have accrued if such interest had been at all times computed solely on the basis of the Applicable Interest Rate.

 

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No agreements, conditions, provisions or stipulations contained in this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement between Borrower and any Lender or default of Borrower, or the exercise by Lender of the right to accelerate the payment of the maturity of principal and interest, or to exercise any option whatsoever contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Borrower and any Lender, or the arising of any contingency whatsoever, shall entitle any Lender to collect, in any event, interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate and in no event shall Borrower be obligated to pay interest exceeding such Maximum Legal Rate and all agreements, conditions or stipulations, if any, which may in any event or contingency whatsoever operate to bind, obligate or compel Borrower to pay a rate of interest exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate, shall be without binding force or effect, at law or in equity, to the extent only of the excess of interest over such Maximum Legal Rate. In the event any interest is charged in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate (“Excess”), Borrower acknowledges and stipulates that any such charge shall be the result of an accidental and bona fide error, and such Excess shall be, first, applied to reduce the principal then unpaid hereunder; second, applied to reduce the remaining Obligations; and third, returned to Borrower, it being the intention of the parties hereto not to enter at any time into a usurious or otherwise illegal relationship. Borrower recognizes that, with fluctuations in the Applicable Interest Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such an unintentional result could inadvertently occur. By the execution of this Agreement, Borrower covenants that (i) the credit or return of any Excess shall constitute the acceptance by Borrower of such Excess, and (ii) Borrower shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or equitable, against any Lender, based in whole or in part upon the charging or receiving of any interest in excess of the maximum authorized by applicable law. For the purpose of determining whether or not any Excess has been contracted for, charged or received by any Lender, all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by any Lender in connection with this Agreement shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread in equal parts during the entire term of this Agreement.

 

The provisions of this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into every document or communication relating to the Obligations which sets forth or prescribes any account, right or claim or alleged account, right or claim of any Lender with respect to Borrower (or any other obligor in respect of Obligations), whether or not any provision of this Section 2A of this Schedule is referred to therein. All such documents and communications and all figures set forth therein shall, for the sole purpose of computing the extent of the liabilities and obligations of Borrower (or other obligor) asserted by any Lender thereunder, be automatically recomputed by any Borrower or obligor, and by any court considering the same, to give effect to the adjustments or credits required by this Section 2A of this Schedule.

 

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   If the applicable state or federal law is amended in the future to allow a greater rate of interest to be charged under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents than is presently allowed by applicable state or federal law, then the limitation of interest under this Section 2A of this Schedule shall be increased to the maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable state or federal law as amended, which increase shall be effective hereunder on the effective date of such amendment, and all interest charges owing to any Lender by reason thereof shall be payable upon demand.

3.  FEES

(Section 1.6):

  

Upfront Fee:

   As consideration for the Initial Commitments and agreements by Lender under this Agreement, Borrower shall pay to Lender an upfront fee (the “Upfront Fee”) in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Commitment as of the Initial Closing Date (prior to the funding thereof). The Upfront Fee shall be fully earned, due and payable on the Initial Closing Date and shall not be net funded from the proceeds of the Initial Loans on the Initial Closing Date. Once paid, the Upfront Fee shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

Additional Fees:

   Borrower shall pay the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders such other fees as may be agreed from time to time separately in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.

4.  MATURITY DATE

(Section 6.2):

   As used herein, for all Loans, the term “Maturity Date” means (i) if the PMC Paydown Date has not occurred, December 31, 2026 (unless extended by the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) and (ii) if the PMC Paydown Date has occurred, the fifth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date, provided, that if the board of directors and stockholders of Holdings do not each approve the issuance of up to 49.9% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock (and corresponding Class C Units of RGF, LLC, if applicable) on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Initial Closing Date, the Maturity Date shall mean the six-month anniversary of the Initial Closing Date.

 

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5.  FINANCIAL COVENANTS

(Section 5.1):

  

(a)   Minimum Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA (i) for the calendar months ending September 30, 2024, October 31, 2024, November 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, to be less than $1,000,000 for such calendar month and (ii) for any calendar month ending thereafter, to be less than $1,500,000 for such calendar month.

 

From and after the Additional Loans Funding Date, Borrower shall not permit Adjusted EBITDA for any fiscal quarter ending thereafter, to be less than $6,000,000 for such fiscal quarter.

 

(b)   Minimum Daily Cash. Borrower shall not permit Available Cash as of 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day ending after the Initial Closing Date to be less than $12,500,000.

 

(c)   Minimum Average Monthly Cash. Borrower shall not permit Average Monthly Cash for any calendar month ending after the Initial Closing Date (commending with the calendar month ending September 30, 2024) to be less than $15,000,000 for such calendar month.

6.  REPORTING.

(Section 5.3):

  

 

(a)   Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) with the following:

 

(i) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Business Day occurring after the Initial Closing Date, reporting on (x) daily production for the immediately preceding Business Day and (y) minimum daily Available Cash for the immediately preceding Business Day, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

 

(ii)  by 5:00 PM New York time on Wednesday of each week ending after the Initial Closing Date (commencing September 25, 2024), a report on weekly sales for the prior calendar week in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

 

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(iii)  by 5:00 PM New York time on Friday of each week ending after the Initial Closing Date (commencing October 4, 2024 (for the 13-week period commencing Sunday, October 6, 2024)), an updated 13-week statement for the subsequent 13-week period (a “Proposed Budget”), which Proposed Budget shall modify and supersede any prior Budget upon the approval by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) (such Proposed Budget upon such approval, an “Approved Budget”);

 

(iv) by 5:00 PM New York time on each Budget Testing Date, (x) a report (each, a “Variance Report”) in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) describing in reasonable detail Borrower’s aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements during the relevant Budget Testing Period as compared to the projected aggregate cash receipts and aggregate cash disbursements provided by the then-current Budget for the same period (including breakdown by vendor and category) and (y) an analysis, certified by a senior financial officer of Borrower, demonstrating that a Budget Event shall not have occurred for such Budget Testing Period;

 

(v)   by 5:00 PM New York time on each Friday of each week ending after the Initial Closing Date (commencing September 27, 2024), an updated Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule in the same format as set forth on Annex C, which shall modify and supersede any prior Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule upon the approval by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion);

 

(vi) as soon as available, within five (5) Business Day after the end of each calendar month, a report on minimum Average Available Cash for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

 

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(vii) as soon as available, and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, (x) monthly unaudited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (y) reporting on operating KPIs and (z) complete month-end physical inventory counts, in each case, for the prior calendar month in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

 

(viii) as soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days following the end of each fiscal quarter of Holdings, quarterly financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the quarterly financial statements filed on form 10-Q with the SEC and accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which shall be certified by a financial officer of Holdings as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

 

(ix) as soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of Holdings’ fiscal year, annual audited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which shall be consistent with the annual audited financial statements filed on form 10-K with the SEC, which shall be audited by a “big-four” accounting firm or another nationally recognized accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) (and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness or any breach of a financial maintenance covenant or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly reviewed or audited by independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders);

 

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(x)   no later than seventy-five (75) days prior to the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, annual operating budgets (including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements, by month) for the upcoming fiscal year of Borrower;

 

(xi) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (vii), (viii) or (ix) above, a duly executed and completed compliance certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (xi) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants; and

 

(xii) any material report, certificate or other document provided to PMC pursuant to the Amended and Restated PMC Facilities from time to time reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders).

 

(b)   Borrower will, on a date following the end of each calendar week (commencing with the first full calendar week ending after the Initial Closing Date), hold a weekly conference call at a time mutually agreed upon by Borrower and the Lenders), to discuss cash flows of Borrower and such other matters requested by any Lender related the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower.

7.  BORROWER INFORMATION:

   Borrower represents and warrants that the information set forth in the Perfection Certificate is true and correct as of the date hereof.

 

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8.  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

  

(a)   Subordination of Inside Debt. All present and future indebtedness of Borrower to its officers, directors, shareholders and Affiliates (collectively, “Inside Debt”) shall, at all times, be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to a subordination agreement satisfactory to the Lenders. Borrower represents and warrants that as of the Initial Closing Date there is no Inside Debt presently outstanding.

 

Prior to incurring any Inside Debt in the future, Borrower shall cause the person to whom such Inside Debt will be owed to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) a subordination agreement on satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders).

 

(b)   Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks.

 

(a) Borrower hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower does not have any maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, that are registered (or are the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Copyright Office. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that Borrower will NOT register with the United States Copyright Office (or apply for such registration of) any of Borrower’s maskworks, computer software, or other copyrights, unless Borrower has provided the Administrative Agent not less than 30 days prior written notice of the commencement of such registration/application and Borrower has executed and delivered to Lender such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), which in their sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Copyright Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

(b) Annex D sets forth under the name of Borrower a complete and correct list of all patents and trademarks of Borrower that are registered (or the subject of any application for registration) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such security agreement(s) and other documentation (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders)) which the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion may require for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office with respect to such registration or application.

 

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(c) Borrower will: (x) protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, and trademarks; (y) promptly advise the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) in writing of material infringements, misappropriations or violations of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks of which Borrower is or becomes aware; and (z) not allow any material item of Borrower’s copyrights, patents, or trademarks to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders).

 

(c)   Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, as to any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts) maintained with any institution as of the date of this Agreement (in each case, other than Excluded Accounts), Borrower shall cause such institution, concurrently herewith, to enter into an Account Control Agreement in form acceptable to the Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) in order to perfect the first-priority security interest, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and grant the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) “control” (within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) over such Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) and Investment Property (including securities accounts). Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, from and after the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall not maintain any Deposit Accounts (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts) with any bank, securities intermediary, or other institution unless the Collateral Agent has received an Account Control Agreement duly executed by such party in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) covering such Deposit Account (including any lockbox or blocked account) or Investment Property (including securities accounts), as the case may be.

 

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(d)   Manufacturing Facility Standards. Borrower shall maintain and comply in all material respects with all applicable manufacturing facility standards, policies, laws and regulations, including, without limitation, such standards published from time to time by United States Department of Agriculture.

 

(e)   Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall pay (or cause to be paid) in full and settle all overdue accounts payable, in each case, as set forth on, and on or prior to the dates applicable thereto on, the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

9.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL CLOSING DATE

  

 

The obligations of each Lender to make the Initial Loans on the Initial Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions on or prior to the Initial Closing Date:

 

(a)   Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement, the 1L/2L Intercreditor Agreement, and each other Loan Document identified by it to be delivered on the Initial Closing Date, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and duly executed and delivered by each party thereto.

 

(b)   Amended and Restated PMC Facilities. The Administrative Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of the Amended and Restated PMC Loan and Security Agreements, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect.

 

(c)   Amendment to Master Lease Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received a true, correct and complete copy of that certain First Amendment to Master Lease Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date between PMC and the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and which shall have been executed by the parties thereto and in full force and effect.

 

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(d)   Opinions. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have received a written opinion of White & Case LLP, as New York counsel for the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) shall reasonably request.

 

(e)   Secretary’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received (1) copies of the organizational documents of each Loan Party and certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Initial Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto; (2) signature and incumbency certificates of each such Person of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (3) resolutions of the board of directors or similar governing body of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Initial Closing Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; (4) a good standing certificate (or equivalent certificate) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, each dated the Initial Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto.

 

(f)   Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) and duly executed by a senior financial officer of Holdings confirming the solvency of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Initial Closing Date.

 

(g)   Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a closing certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower which shall include certifications to the effect that the conditions precedent set forth in clause (r) hereof have been satisfied on the Initial Closing Date.

 

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(h)   Borrowing Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Notice duly executed by Borrower in accordance with Section 1.7(a) of this Agreement.

 

(i) Perfection Certificate; Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a completed perfection certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A-2 (the “Perfection Certificate”), duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby and (ii) the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent), tax and judgment, United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are Permitted Liens or have been released (or arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) for such release shall have been made.

 

(j) Perfection of Security Interests. The Administrative Agent shall have received proper financing statements (Form UCC-1 or equivalent) authorized for filing under the UCC or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document and short-form intellectual property security agreements in proper form and authorized for filing under the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office, or other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created hereunder or under any other Security Document.

 

(k)   Springing Account Control Agreements. Subject to the post-closing deadlines set forth in Section 10(b) of this Schedule, the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) an Account Control Agreement, duly executed by the account bank and Borrower in respect of the Designated Account which properly perfects the first-priority security interest of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Designated Account and (ii) Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, the Collateral Agent, PMC and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule.

 

14


  

 

(l) Cash Control. Borrower and PMC shall have terminated all existing account control agreements or other cash control arrangements in place over the Loan Parties’ Deposit Accounts.

 

(m) Overdue Accounts Payable. Borrower shall have paid in full and settled all overdue accounts payable required to be paid in full and settled on the Initial Closing Date as set forth on the Overdue Accounts Payable Schedule.

 

(n)   [Reserved].

 

(o)   Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Agents and the Lenders shall have received the Upfront Fee and all other fees required to be paid to the Agents and the Lenders on or prior to the Initial Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced prior to the Initial Closing Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of Kirkland & Ellis LLP).

 

(p)   KYC; Beneficial Ownership. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Initial Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and antimony laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “PATRIOT Act”) and (ii) to the extent Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to Borrower, in each case requested by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Initial Closing Date.

 

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(q)   Approvals. All material approvals and material consents of any Governmental Authority required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by the Loan Parties party thereto and the consummation of the Transactions shall have been obtained.

 

(r)   General Conditions. The following:

 

(i) no Material Adverse Change has occurred since August 31, 2024,

 

(ii)  at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the making of the Initial Loans on the Initial Closing Date, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

(iii)  the representations and warranties set forth herein and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Perfection Certificate) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Initial Closing Date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or similar language (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

(s)   2024 Exchange Agreement. Borrower shall have issued Class C Units to the Lenders representing 19.99% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and have agreed to take all necessary actions, including scheduling a meeting to obtain a vote of Holdings’ stockholders, to approve the issuance of additional Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to the Lenders cumulatively representing 49.99% of the greater of (x) the equity ownership interests in Borrower as of the date hereof or (y) the equity ownership interest in Borrower as of the date of the Additional Loans Funding Date and voting power in Holdings, approving the issuance of Class A Common Stock representing 25% of the voting power and equity interests of Holdings to PMC upon the exercise of that certain Amended and Restated Warrant, dated as of the date hereof, issued by Holdings to PMC, and, at PMC’s option, approving the issuance of Class C Units and Class B Common Stock to PMC representing 25% of the equity ownership interests in Borrower and voting power in Holdings.

 

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10.  POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

  

The Loan Parties shall comply with their obligations described in the following clauses (a) through (g), in each case, within the applicable periods of time specified therein (or such longer periods as the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders may agree in their sole and absolute discretion):

 

(a)   Termination of UCC Filings. By not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Initial Closing Date, Borrower shall have terminated (or caused the termination) of the UCC-1 financing statements identified on Annex I.

 

(b)   Springing Account Control Agreements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Initial Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) an Account Control Agreement, duly executed by the Collateral Agent and Borrower in respect of the Designated Account which properly perfects the Collateral Agent’s first-priority security interest in the Designated Account and (ii) Account Control Agreements, duly executed by each applicable account bank or securities intermediary, the Collateral Agent, PMC and Borrower in respect of each Deposit Account and securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 8(c) of this Schedule.

 

(c)   Insurance Certificates and Endorsements. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Initial Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received customary liability insurance and property insurance endorsements naming the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, and such other endorsements to the extent required by this Agreement in each case, with respect to the general liability and casualty insurance policies maintained by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.

 

17


  

 

(d)   SKU. By no later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the Initial Closing Date, Borrower shall have (i) established (and shall thereafter maintain at all times until the Maturity Date) co-manufacturing capacity for all stock keeping units and (ii) delivered to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) a certificate signed by a senior financial officer of Borrower certifying the foregoing in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders).

 

(e)   Engagements. The Borrower shall have engaged each of the companies set forth on Annex E (or such other companies acceptable to the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) for the purposes set forth on Annex E applicable thereto, in each case by the Additional Loans Funding Date or such other date as set forth on Annex E.

 

(f)   Required Hedges. By no later than (i) the seventh (7th) day following the Initial Closing Date, Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 40% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to the Lenders, (ii) the fourteenth (14th) day following the Initial Closing Date, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain and shall thereafter maintain subject to clause (iii) below) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 60% of chicken purchases over the forward looking four-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to the Lenders and (iii) January 1, 2025, the Borrower shall have established (and shall thereafter maintain until the Maturity Date) chicken price hedging arrangements pursuant to which 70% of chicken purchases over the forward looking twelve-month period are contracted at a fixed price reasonably acceptable to the Lenders.

 

(g)   Specified Post-Closing Requirement. The Borrower shall comply with the Specified Post-Closing Requirements in all respects.

 

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11.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FUNDING OF ADDITIONAL LOANS.

  

The obligation of the Lenders to make the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions on or prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date:

 

(a) Minimum Monthly EBITDA. Borrower shall have delivered unaudited monthly financial statements to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) evidencing that monthly Adjusted EBITDA for each of September 2024, October 2024, November 2024 and December 2024 is at least $2,000,000.

 

(b) Houlihan Lokey Validation. The Administrative Agent shall have received written confirmation from Houlihan Lokey validating that monthly Adjusted EBITDA for each of September 2024, October 2024, November 2024 and December 2024 is at least $2,000,000 (the “Houlihan Lokey Validation” and the date of such receipt, the “Houlihan Lokey Validation Date”).

 

(c) Absence or Survival of PMC Challenge. In the event PMC provides written notice of its challenge to the Houlihan Lokey Validation, (which challenge must be delivered to Borrower and the Lenders within seven (7) days of the Houlihan Lokey Validation Date (such date, the “Challenge Date”), a “top ten” accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Lenders and PMC has not found within thirty (30) days of the Challenge Date that monthly Adjusted EBITDA for each of September 2024, October 2024, November 2024 and December 2024 is equal to an amount which is 10.00% less than the amount of monthly Adjusted EBITDA for each of September 2024, October 2024, November 2024 and December 2024 as calculated in the Houlihan Lokey Validation.

 

(d) Election Notice. On or at any time after the Adjusted EBITDA Determination Date, the Borrower shall have delivered written notice to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) of its election to borrow the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date.

 

(e) Outstanding Litigation. As of the Additional Loans Funding Date, all outstanding claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings set forth on the Litigation Annex (excluding any such outstanding claims, suits, litigation and other proceedings approved by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion) shall have been settled for an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000.

 

19


  

(f) Specified Conditions. The Borrower shall have satisfied the Specified Conditions.

 

(g) Additional Loans Use of Proceeds Budget. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Budget for the period from the Additional Loans Funding Date through the end of the 13-week period following the Additional Loans Funding Date, containing, inter alia, the Specified Use, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders in their sole direction) (the “Additional Loans Use of Proceeds Budget”)

 

(h) 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received an Additional Loans Funding Date Joinder Agreement (as defined in the 1L/1L Intercreditor Agreement in effect on the Initial Closing Date), duly executed by PMC, as term lender, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders).

 

(i) Amendment to PMC Term Loan Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received an amendment to the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement, duly executed by PMC, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Lenders), that makes the maturity date, interest rate and related provisions and amortization provisions identical to such terms as set forth herein (the “Amendment to Term Loan”).

 

(j) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Initial Closing Date, duly executed by a senior financial officer of Holdings confirming the solvency of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the funding of the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date.

 

(k) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a closing certificate substantially in the form delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Initial Closing Date, duly executed by an executive officer of Borrower which shall include certifications to the effect that the conditions precedent set forth in clause (p) hereof have been satisfied on the Additional Loans Funding Date.

 

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(l) Borrowing Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Notice duly executed by Borrower in accordance with Section 1.7(c) of this Agreement.

 

(m) Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid to the Agents and the Lenders on or prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date and, to the extent invoiced prior to the Additional Loans Funding Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of Kirkland & Ellis LLP).

 

(n) Board Members. As of the Additional Loans Funding Date, (x) the Board shall be increased from six (6) to nine (9) directors, (y) the Lenders shall be entitled to nominate four (4) of the nine (9) directors on the Board and (z) PMC shall be entitled to nominate two (2) of the nine (9) directors on the Board.

 

(o) Additional Loans Funding Expiration. The Additional Loans Funding Expiration Date shall not have occurred.

 

(p) General Conditions. The following:

 

(i) no Material Adverse Change has occurred since the Initial Closing Date,

 

(ii)  at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the making of the Additional Loans on the Additional Loans Funding Date, (x) no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (y) no “Default” or “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing under the Amended and Restated PMC Revolving and Equipment Loan and Security Agreement and the Amended and Restated PMC Term Loan and Security Agreement (in each case, as such terms are defined therein) and (z) no “Default” or “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing under any agreement of the Borrower evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed money (in each case, as such terms are defined in, or such similar terms used in, the applicable definitive documentation for such Indebtedness).

 

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(iii)  the representations and warranties set forth herein and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Perfection Certificate) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Additional Loans Funding Date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or similar language (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11 of this Schedule, the Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion elect to fund all or any portion of the Additional Loans at any time prior to the occurrence of the Additional Loans Funding Date or at any time prior to Additional Loans Funding Expiration Date.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, each of Holdings and Borrower acknowledge and agree that PMC shall have no consent rights over the funding of the Additional Loans by any of the Lenders on the Additional Loans Funding Date.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page immediately follows]

 

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Borrower:
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Holdings:
THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

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Execution Version

 

EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and a Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF EXECUTIVE LLC,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF BLOCKER INC.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name: Patrick Cook
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.6

Execution Version

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), effective as of September 20, 2024 (the “Effective Time”), is made by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Emblem-RGF Main LLC (“Emblem Main”), Emblem-RGF Blocker Inc. (“Emblem Blocker”), Emblem-RGF Executive LLC (“Emblem Executive” and together with Emblem Main and Emblem Blocker, the “Emblem Parties”), PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”) and any other holders of Class C Units from time to time parties hereto (each (including Emblem and PMC) a “Holder”, and, collectively, the “Holders”). Except as otherwise specified herein, all capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.1.

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company entering into that certain Super Priority Loan and Security Agreement (the “Emblem Loan Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Corporation and the lenders party thereto, the Company has issued to the Emblem Parties the number of Class C Units set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “Issuance”) such that following the Issuance, the Emblem Parties will hold Exchangeable Units which represent 19.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for 19.99% of the Class A Common Stock of the Corporation;

WHEREAS, upon the Corporation receiving the Stockholder Vote (as defined herein), including, without limitation, an amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation to allow for the issuance of additional Class B Common Stock, the Corporation will issue to the Emblem Parties a number of shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Intermediate Issuance”) such that following the Intermediate Issuance, the Emblem Parties will hold Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock which represent 19.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation representing 19.99% of the fully diluted capitalization and voting power of the Corporation;

WHEREAS, in the event that PMC exercises its right to require that the Corporation hold a vote of its stockholders to obtain the Additional Stockholder Vote, upon the Corporation obtaining such Additional Stockholder Vote, including, without limitation, an amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation to allow for the issuance of additional Class B Common Stock, the Corporation will issue Class B Common Stock to PMC and the Company shall issue Class C Units (the“PMC Issuance”) representing 25% of the greater of (a) the fully diluted capitalization of the Company as of the date hereof and (b) the fully diluted capitalization of the Company as of the date of the PMC Issuance the voting power of the Corporation and fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation representing 25% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Corporation, and, for the avoidance of doubt, following the PMC Issuance the Emblem Parties (a) prior to the Second Step Issuance, shall continue to hold Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock representing 19.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation representing 19.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Corporation and (b) after the Second Step Issuance, shall continue to hold Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock representing 49.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation representing 49.99% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Corporation;

WHEREAS, upon the Emblem Parties providing additional financing to the Company in accordance with and pursuant to the Emblem Loan Agreement (the “Second Step Transaction”), and subject to the Company receiving the Stockholder Vote, the Company will issue to the Emblem Parties a number of additional Class C Units and shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Second Step Issuance”) such that following the Second Step Issuance, the Emblem Parties will hold Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock which represent 49.99% of the greater of (a) the fully diluted capitalization of the Company as of the date hereof and (b) the fully diluted capitalization of the Company as of the date of the Second Step Issuance, and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation as set forth herein, and, for the avoidance of doubt, following the Second Step Issuance PMC will continue to hold Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock representing 25% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company and which are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock of the Corporation representing 25% of the fully diluted capitalization of the Corporation; and


WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to provide for the exchange of Exchangeable Units together with shares of Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Section 1.1 Definitions.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the banks in New York, New York or Cherry Hill, New Jersey are authorized by law to be closed.

Cash Payment” means, an amount in cash equal to the product of the Exchanged Unit Amount, (y) the then-applicable Exchange Rate and (z) the Class A Common Stock Value.

Change of Control” means (i) the Corporation, the Company or any of their subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (and all of its subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation, the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Class A Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Corporation, the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or the equity securities of the Company or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or the equity securities of the Company are effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Corporation or the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons (other than the Holders) whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Corporation or the Company.

 

2


Change of Control Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i).

Change of Control Exchange Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(iii).

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class A Common Stock Value” means the greater of (x) the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average prices for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor, for each of the three (3) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the related Exchange Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications, reorganizations, recapitalizations or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock, and (y) the price per share of Class A Common Stock offered by the Person or group that is the acquirer in a Change of Control transaction, if applicable. If the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the Class A Common Stock Value shall be determined in good faith by a majority of the directors of the Corporation that do not have an interest in the Exchangeable Units; provided, that in such case, Emblem Main shall have the right to request that the Corporation engage an independent third party, at the Corporation’s expense, to determine Class A Common Stock Value, which determination shall not take into account any discounts for lack of marketability, illiquidity, minority position or other similar discounts, and shall be final and binding on all parties.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class C Unit” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Corporation that would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time common stock of the Corporation, including without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive common stock of the Corporation.

Contribution Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iv).

Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Emblem Blocker” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Emblem Executive” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Emblem Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Emblem Loan Transaction” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Emblem Main” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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Emblem Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Equity Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

Exchange Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

Exchange Rate” means the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which one Class C Unit is entitled to be Exchanged. The Exchange Rate will also be used to determine the number of shares of Class B Common Stock that a Holder must surrender upon an Exchange, to the extent a Holder holds Class B Common Stock on account of such Class C Units. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1.00, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2.

Exchangeable Unit” means a Class C Unit held by a Holder, from time to time.

Exchanged Unit Amount” means, with respect to an Exchange, the number of Class C Units (after giving effect to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) set forth in the applicable Exchange Notice.

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Intermediate Issuance” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Liens” means any and all liens, charges, security interests, options, claims, mortgages, pledges, proxies, voting trusts or agreements, obligations, understandings or arrangements, or other restrictions on title or transfer of any nature whatsoever.

LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of the date hereof, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, or replaced from time to time.

Lock-Up Period” means the earliest to occur of (i) three (3) years after the Effective Time, (ii) four consecutive quarters of covenant breaches by the Company and its subsidiaries under the Emblem Loan Documents, or (iii) the achievement of a $12.00 per share price (as adjusted for splits, distributions or dividends, reclassifications, reorganizations, recapitalizations or otherwise following the date hereof) for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor; provided, that the Lock-Up Period shall expire with respect to (x) one-third (1/3rd) of the Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock one year from the Effective Time and (y) an additional one-third (1/3rd) of the Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock two years from the Effective Time.

Managing Member” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity, and any government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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Retraction Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(vi).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Second Step Issuance” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Second Step Transaction” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof and without limitation, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the manager, managing member, managing director (or a board comprised of any of the foregoing) or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries.

Stockholder Vote” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

Takeover Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

ARTICLE II

Section 2.1 Exchange of Class C Units.

(a) Elective Exchanges.

(i) At any time following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period (and subject at all times to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation), a Holder shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof and the LLC Agreement, to surrender any Exchangeable Units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate) (in each case, free and clear of all Liens) to the Company in exchange for the delivery to a Holder (or its designee) of either, at the option of the Corporation, (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount multiplied by the Exchange Rate or (y) solely in connection with an Exchange (including a Change of Control Exchange) that coincides with a substantially concurrent public offering or private sale of Class A Common Stock, the applicable Cash Payment; provided that PMC shall not be subject to the Lock-Up Period, and at any time PMC holds Exchangeable Units shall be entitled, upon the terms and conditions hereof and the LLC Agreement, to surrender any Exchangeable Units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate (in each case, free and clear of all Liens) to the Company in exchange for the delivery to a Holder (or its designee) of either, at the option of the Corporation, (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount multiplied by the Exchange Rate or (y) solely in connection with an Exchange (including a Change of Control Exchange) that coincides with a substantially concurrent public offering or private sale of Class A Common Stock, the applicable Cash Payment. The Corporation shall be entitled, at its election, to instead effect a direct exchange with a Holder in lieu of the exchange between the Company and a Holder described in the preceding sentence. Any exchange of Exchangeable Units and/or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment, as applicable, is defined herein as an “Exchange.” Subject to Section 2.1(a)(ii), after the date hereof a Holder may Exchange Exchangeable Units and/or Class B Common Stock at any time and from time to time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Corporation nor the Company shall effectuate a Cash Payment pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) or Section 2.1(b) unless (A) the Corporation determines to consummate a private sale or public offering of Class A Common Stock on, or not later than five (5) Business Days after, the relevant Exchange Date and (B) the Corporation contributes sufficient proceeds from such private sale or public offering to the Company (or the Corporation retains sufficient proceeds, in the case of a direct exchange) for payment by the Company (or the Corporation) of the applicable Cash Payment.

 

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(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Holder shall not be entitled to effectuate an Exchange of Exchangeable Units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate) as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), and the Corporation and the Company shall have the right to refuse to honor any request for such an Exchange, if at any time the Corporation or the Company determines based on the advice of counsel that such Exchange (1) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including, without limitation, the unavailability of a registration of such Exchange under the Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements thereof) or (2) would not be permitted under any agreement with the Corporation, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries to which a Holder is party (including, without limitation, the LLC Agreement). Upon such determination, the Corporation or the Company (as applicable) shall notify the applicable Holder, which such notice shall include an explanation in reasonable detail as to the reason that the Exchange has not been honored.

(iii) Each Holder shall exercise its right to effectuate an Exchange of Exchangeable Units, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate, as set forth in this Section 2.1(a) by delivering to the Company, with a contemporaneous copy delivered to the Corporation, during normal business hours, (A) a written election of exchange in respect of the Exchangeable Units to be exchanged substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (an “Exchange Notice”), duly executed by such Holder, (B) any certificates in the Holder’s possession representing such Exchangeable Units, (C) any stock certificates in the Holder’s possession representing such shares of Class B Common Stock, and (D) if the Corporation, the Company or any exchanging Subsidiary requires the delivery of the certification contemplated by Section 2.4(b), such certification or written notice from the Holder that it is unable to provide such certification. Unless the applicable Holder timely has delivered a Retraction Notice pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(vi), an Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be effected on the fifth Business Day following the Business Day on which the Corporation and the Company have received the items specified in clauses (A)-(C) of the first sentence of this Section 2.1(a)(iii) or such later date that is a Business Day specified in the Exchange Notice (such Business Day, the “Exchange Date”); provided, that the Company may establish alternate exchange procedures as necessary in order to facilitate the establishment by the Holder of a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. On the Exchange Date, all rights of the Holder as a holder of the Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock that are subject to the Exchange shall cease, and unless the Corporation has elected Cash Payment, the Holder (or its designee) shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be received by the Holder in respect of such Exchange.

 

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(iv) Within two (2) Business Days following the Business Day on which the Corporation and the Company have received the Exchange Notice, the Corporation shall give written notice (the “Contribution Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Holder) of its intended settlement method; provided that if the Corporation does not timely deliver a Contribution Notice, the Corporation shall be deemed to have not elected the Cash Payment method.

(v) The Holder may specify, in an applicable Exchange Notice, that the Exchange is to be contingent (including as to timing) upon the occurrence of any transaction or event, including the consummation of a purchase by another Person (whether in a tender or exchange offer, an underwritten offering, a Change of Control transaction or otherwise) of shares of Class A Common Stock or any merger, consolidation or other business combination.

(vi) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder may withdraw or amend its Exchange Notice, in whole or in part, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Exchange Date by giving written notice (a “Retraction Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) specifying (A) the number of withdrawn Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate), (B) the number of Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the exchange rate) as to which the Exchange Notice remains in effect, if any, and (C) if the Holder so determines, a new Exchange Date or any other new or revised information permitted in the Exchange Notice.

(b) Change of Control. In connection with a Change of Control, and subject to any approval of the Change of Control by the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that may be required:

(i) The Holder shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof and the LLC Agreement, to surrender any Exchangeable Units and/or shares of Class B Common Stock (in each case, free and clear of all Liens) to the Company in exchange for the delivery to a Holder (or its designee) of either, at the option of the Holder, (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount multiplied by the Exchange Rate or (y) the applicable Cash Payment (a “Holder COC Election”). In the event the Holder elects to Exchange Exchangeable Units for shares of Class A Common Stock, the Corporation shall be entitled, at its election, to instead effect a direct exchange with a Holder in lieu of the exchange between the Company and a Holder described in the preceding sentence. Any exchange of Exchangeable Units for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment, as applicable, is defined herein as an “Exchange.” Such right shall be exercisable in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

(ii) To the extent the Holder does not make a Holder COC Election within three (3) Business Days of receipt by the Holder of the notice required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(v), the Corporation shall have the right to require the Holder to effectuate an Exchange of some or all of the Exchangeable Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate (in each case, free and clear of all Liens), with the Corporation or, at the option of the Corporation, with any Subsidiary of the Corporation, in each case, in exchange for the delivery to each of the Holders (or a Holder’s designee) of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount and the Exchange Rate (such Exchange, a “Change of Control Exchange”); provided that, if the Corporation requires the Holders to Exchange less than all of their outstanding Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate), the participation by the Holders in the required Exchange shall be reduced pro rata based on ownership of Exchangeable Units. For the avoidance of doubt, any Exchangeable Units and/or shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Holders that are not Exchanged pursuant to a Change of Control Exchange may be Exchanged by the Holders after the Change of Control transaction pursuant to Section 2.1(a) subject to and in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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(iii) The election of the Corporation pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be at the sole discretion of the Corporation upon the approval thereof by a majority of the directors of the Corporation that do not have an interest in the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock being exchanged.

(iv) Any Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Change of Control (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such Change of Control is not consummated) (the “Change of Control Exchange Date”). From and after the Change of Control Exchange Date, (x) the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock Exchanged pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be deemed to be transferred to the Corporation, or the exchanging Subsidiary, as applicable, on the Change of Control Exchange Date and (y) each Holder shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock Exchanged pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) upon compliance with its obligations under Section 2.1(c)).

(v) The Corporation shall provide written notice of an expected Change of Control to the Holders within the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days following the execution of the agreement with respect to such Change of Control and (y) twenty (20) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated Change of Control is to be effected, indicating in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the Change of Control transaction, subject to applicable law, including the date of execution of such agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be paid for Exchangeable Units (and any shares of Class B Common Stock) or shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, in the Change of Control (which consideration shall be equivalent whether paid for Exchangeable Units (and any shares of Class B Common Stock) or shares of Class A Common Stock), any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of Exchangeable Units (and any shares of Class B Common Stock) or shares of Class A Common Stock (which election shall not affect the Holder’s ability to make a Holder COC Election), as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with the Change of Control, the percentage of total Exchangeable Units (and any shares of Class B Common Stock) or shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, to be transferred to the acquirer by all shareholders in the Change of Control, and the number of Exchangeable Units (and any shares of Class B Common Stock) held by the applicable Holder that the Corporation intends to require to be Exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Change of Control. The Corporation shall update such notice from time to time to reflect any material changes to such notice. The Corporation may satisfy any such notice and update requirements described in the preceding two sentences by providing such information on a Form 8-K, Schedule TO, Schedule 14D-9, Preliminary Merger Proxy on Schedule 14A, Definitive Merger Proxy on Schedule 14A or similar form filed with the SEC.

(c) Exchange Procedure on Change of Control Exchange. On or prior to the Change of Control Exchange Date, each Holder shall deliver to the Corporation or the exchanging Subsidiary, as applicable, with a contemporaneous copy delivered to the Company, in each case during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Company and the Corporation, respectively: (A) an Exchange Notice, duly executed by the Holder, (B) any certificates in the Holder’s possession representing all Exchangeable Units being surrendered by the Holder, (C) any stock certificates in the Holder’s possession representing all shares of Class B Common Stock being surrendered by the Holder and (D) if the Corporation, the Company or the exchanging Subsidiary requires the delivery of the certification contemplated by Section 2.4(b), such certification or written notice from the Holder that it is unable to provide such certification.

 

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(d) Exchange Consideration. As promptly as practicable on or after the Exchange Date or Change of Control Exchange Date, as applicable, provided the Holder has satisfied its obligations under Section 2.1(a)(iii) or Section 2.1(c), as applicable, the Company or the Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder (or its designee), either certificates or evidence of book-entry shares representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon the applicable Exchange, registered in the name of the Holder (or its designee) or, if the Corporation has so elected, the Cash Payment. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 2.1(d) to the contrary, to the extent the Class A Common Stock issued in the exchange will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, the Company or the Corporation will, upon the written instruction of the Holder, deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to the Holder through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company to the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by the Holder in the Exchange Notice. Upon the Holder exercising its right to Exchange in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(i) or the occurrence of a Change of Control Exchange, the Company or the Corporation shall take such actions as may be required to ensure that the Holder receives the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment that the Holder is entitled to receive in connection with such Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1.

(e) Legends.

(i) The shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange, other than any such shares issued in an Exchange subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THE TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW), OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

(ii) If (A) any shares of Class A Common Stock have been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the SEC, (B) all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 are met, or (C) the legend (or a portion thereof) otherwise ceases to be applicable, the Corporation, upon the written request of the holder thereof, shall promptly provide such holder or its respective transferees with new certificates (or evidence of book-entry shares) for securities of like tenor not bearing the provisions of the legend with respect to which the restriction has terminated. In connection therewith, such holder shall provide the Corporation with such information in its possession as the Corporation may reasonably request (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Corporation) in connection with the removal of any such legend.

(f) Cancellation of Class B Common Stock. Any shares of Class B Common Stock surrendered in an Exchange shall automatically be deemed cancelled without any action on the part of any Person, including the Corporation. Any such cancelled shares of Class B Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding, and all rights with respect to such shares shall automatically cease and terminate.

 

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(g) Expenses. Subject to any other arrangement or agreement between the Company and an applicable Holder, each of the Corporation, the Company and any exchanging Subsidiary and the Holders shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that the Corporation shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Holder that requested the Exchange (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of the Holder) or the Cash Payment is to be paid to a Person other than the Holder that requested the Exchange, then the Holder or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered or to whom the Cash Payment is to be paid shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

(h) Publicly Traded Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Managing Member of the Company determines in good faith that an Exchange would pose a material risk that the Company would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code, the Corporation or the Company may impose such restrictions on Exchanges, or may decline to effect one or more Exchanges, as the Corporation or the Company may reasonably determine, in the advice of counsel, to be necessary or advisable in order to avoid a material risk of such treatment.

Section 2.2Adjustment. The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (a) any subdivision (by any stock or unit split, stock or unit dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock or unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Units that is not accompanied by a substantively identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (b) any subdivision (by any stock or unit split, stock or unit dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock or unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the shares of Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by a substantively identical subdivision or combination of the Class B Common Stock or Class C Units. To the extent not reflected in an adjustment to the Exchange Rate, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, each Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that the Holder would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, this Section 2.2 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security, securities or other property.

Section 2.3  Class A Common Stock to be Issued.

 

 

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(a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Class C Units; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Exchange by delivery of unencumbered purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof).

(b) The Corporation has taken and will take all such steps as may be required to cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions or dispositions of equity securities of the Corporation (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities that may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of the Corporation for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by each director or officer of the Corporation (including directors-by-deputization) who may reasonably be expected to be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Corporation upon the registration of any class of equity security of the Corporation pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (with the authorizing resolutions specifying the name of each such officer or director whose acquisition or disposition of securities is to be exempted and the number of securities that may be acquired and disposed of by each such Person pursuant to this Agreement).

(c) If any Takeover Law or other similar law or regulation becomes or is deemed to become applicable to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to render such law or regulation inapplicable to all of the foregoing.

(d) The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders of the Corporation or to any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any Person.

Section 2.4Withholding; Certification of Non-Foreign Status.

(a) If the Corporation or the Company shall be required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state, local or foreign tax rules or regulations in respect of any Exchange, the Corporation or the Company, as the case may be, shall be entitled to take such action as it deems appropriate in order to ensure compliance with such withholding requirements, including, at its option, withholding shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the minimum amount of any taxes that the Corporation or the Company, as the case may be, may be required to withhold with respect to such Exchange. If the Corporation or the Company intends to withhold amounts (or property) deliverable in respect of any Exchange, (a) the Corporation or the Company (as applicable) (i) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the applicable Holder with written notice of the Corporation’s or the Company’s (as applicable) intention to withhold such amount (or property) at least five days prior to such withholding and (ii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested to reduce or avoid such withholding obligation. To the extent that amounts are (or property is) so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority, such withheld amounts (or property) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid (or delivered) to the applicable Holder.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each of the Corporation and the Company may, in its discretion, require that each Holder deliver to the Corporation or the Company, as the case may be, a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 and any other applicable certifications or documentation reasonably requested by the Corporation or the Company prior to an Exchange. In the event the Corporation or the Company has required delivery of such form but a Holder does not provide such form, the Corporation or the Company, as the case may be, shall nevertheless deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder the Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment in accordance with Section 2.1, but subject to withholding as provided in Section 2.4(a).

 

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Section 2.5Tax Treatment. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any Exchange with the Company or the Corporation shall be treated as a direct exchange between the Corporation and the applicable Holder for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes. The parties hereto intend to treat any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Exchangeable Units and/or shares of Class B Common Stock by a Holder to the Corporation for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes except as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Holder and the Corporation and no party hereto shall take a position inconsistent with such intended tax treatment on any tax return, amendment thereof or any other communication with a taxing authority, in each case unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the LLC Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c).

Section 2.6Contribution of the Corporation. In connection with any Exchange between a Holder and the Company, the Corporation shall contribute to the Company the shares of Class A Common Stock or Cash Payment that the applicable Holder is entitled to receive in such Exchange. Unless the applicable Holder has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 2.1(a)(vi), on the Exchange Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date) (i) the Corporation shall make a capital contribution to the Company (in the form of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment that the Holder is entitled to receive in such Exchange) required under this Section 2.6, (ii) the Company shall transfer such shares of Class A Common Stock or Cash Payment to the applicable Holder in redemption of the Holder’s Class C Units in the Company, and (iii) the Company shall issue to the Corporation a number of Class C Units equal to the Exchanged Unit Amount surrendered by the Holder.

Section 2.7Distributions.

(a) During such time as any Class C Units are outstanding, if the Company or the Corporation shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Class A Common Stock or Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) of the Company, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), then, in each such case, the Holders shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holders would have participated therein if the Holders had held the number of shares of Class A Common Stock acquirable upon complete Exchange of the Class C Units (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holders’ right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holders exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holders shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holders until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

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(b) No Exchange will impair the right of the Holders to receive any distribution for periods ending on or prior to the Exchange Date for such Exchange (but for which payment had not yet been made with respect to the Exchangeable Units in question at the time the Exchange is consummated); provided that, for purposes of this Section 2.7, each Holder’s right to receive its pro rata portion of any distribution by the Company in respect of such periods shall not be deemed impaired to the extent that the Company has not paid the Corporation its pro rata portion of such distribution prior to the consummation of the applicable Exchange.

Section 2.8Holders’ Exchange Limitations. The Corporation and the Company shall not effect any Exchange with a Holder, and a Holder shall not have the right to elect to Exchange, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after an Exchange as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exchange, a Holder (together with the Holder’s affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below), nor shall the Corporation and the Company make any issuance of Class B Common Stock or Class C Units which would cause the Attribution Parties to own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership limitation. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon Exchange of Class C Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) Exchange of the remaining, un-Exchanged number of Class C Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, beneficially owned by a Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by a Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2.8, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holders that the Company is not representing to the Holders that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holders are solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2.8 applies, the determination of the Class C Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, can be Exchanged (in relation to other securities owned by a Holder together with any Attribution Parties) and of the number of Class C Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, which can be Exchanged shall be in the sole discretion of the applicable Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exchange shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether an Exchange (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Attribution Parties) is subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Corporation and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2.8 in determining the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the SEC, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Corporation setting forth the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Corporation shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Corporation, including the Exchangeable Units and/or Class B Common Stock, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be the greater of (a) 19.99% of the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, (b) following the obtaining of the Stockholder Vote, 44.99%, with the Emblem Parties being limited to 19.99% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding and PMC being limited to 25% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, or (c) following both (x) the obtaining of the Stockholder Vote and (y) the funding by the Emblem Parties of the Second Step Transaction, approximately 74.99% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, with the Emblem Parties being limited to 49.99% of the greater of (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the date hereof and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the date of the Second Step Issuance, and PMC being limited to 25% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, in each case of (a), (b) and (c), immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon Exchange. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2.8, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds the greater of (a) 19.99% of the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, (b) following the obtaining of the Stockholder Vote, 44.99%, with the Emblem Parties being limited to 19.99% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding and PMC being limited to 25% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, or (c) following both (x) the obtaining of the Stockholder Vote and (y) the funding by the Emblem Parties of the Second Step Transaction, approximately 74.99% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, with the Emblem Parties being limited to 49.99% of the greater of (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the date hereof and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the date of the Second Step Issuance and PMC being limited to 25% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, in each case of (a) and (b), immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon Exchange and the provisions of this Section 2.8 shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2.8 to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation.

 

13


Section 2.9Intermediate Issuance. Immediately upon the obtaining of the Stockholder Vote and without further action by the Company, the Emblem Parties, PMC or any other party hereto, the Company and the Corporation hereby shall consummate the Intermediate Issuance to the Emblem Parties. Exhibit A shall be adjusted to reflect that the Intermediate Issuance has occurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, and in the case of Class C Units held by the Emblem Parties subject to the Lock-Up Period and, if necessary, the Stockholder Vote, until the Intermediate Issuance has occurred, all Class C Units shall be exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock at the Exchange Rate, without any corresponding obligation to exchange shares of Class B Common Stock together with such Class C Units.

Section 2.10PMC Issuance. Immediately upon the obtaining of the Additional Stockholder Vote and without further action by the Company, the Emblem Parties, PMC or any other party hereto, the Company and the Corporation hereby shall consummate the PMC Issuance to PMC, provided that the Company and the Corporation shall not consummate the PMC Issuance to the extent such issuance would cause the Beneficial Ownership Limitation to be violated. Exhibit A shall be adjusted to reflect that the PMC Issuance has occurred. Upon the consummation of the PMC Issuance, the Company, the Corporation and the Emblem Parties shall cause PMC to be admitted as a party to the First Restated and Amended Tax Receivables Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation and the other parties thereto, on the substantially similar terms as similarly situated Holders.

 

14


Section 2.11Second Step Issuance. Immediately upon the consummation of the Second Step Transaction and without further action by the Company, the Emblem Parties or any other party hereto, the Company hereby shall consummate the Second Step Issuance to the Emblem Parties. Exhibit A shall be adjusted to reflect that the Second Step Transaction and the Second Step Issuance has occurred.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.1Representations and Warranties of the Corporation. The Corporation represents and warrants that (i) it is a corporation duly incorporated and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to deliver the Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Corporation, including all actions necessary to ensure that the acquisition of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent of each of the Corporation’s Board of Directors’ power and authority and to the extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, “Takeover Laws”), (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Corporation and the consummation by the Corporation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or the bylaws of the Corporation or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Corporation is a party, or (C) based on the representations to be made by the applicable Holder pursuant to the written election in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto in connection with Exchanges made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Corporation or by which any property or asset of the Corporation is bound or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation or its business, financial condition or results of operations.

Section 3.2Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants that (i) it is a limited liability company duly formed and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of formation of the Company or the LLC Agreement or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or by which any property or asset of the Company is bound or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

15


Section 3.3Representations and Warranties of the Holder. Each Holder represents and warrants that (i) to the extent the Holder is an entity, it has been duly formed and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of formation, (ii) the Holder has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Holder and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Holder, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Holder enforceable against the Holder in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Holder and the consummation by the Holder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) to the extent the Holder is an entity, result in a violation of the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement of the Holder or (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Holder is a party, or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Holder or by which any property or asset of the Holder is bound or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not result in the unenforceability of this Agreement against the Holder.

Section 3.4Covenant To Solicit Vote. The Corporation Board shall, as promptly as practicable, but in any event no later than 60 days following the Effective Time, duly call, give notice of, convene, and hold a special meeting of its stockholders (the “Shareholder Meeting”) for the purpose of obtaining the approval of its stockholders as may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated herein (the “Stockholder Vote”) in accordance with Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) or any other applicable provisions of the DGCL and the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit and obtain such stockholder approval, including preparing and filing with the SEC all necessary proxy statements and other required filings. The solicitation materials distributed in connection with the Shareholder Meeting shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Emblem Parties and PMC and shall include the recommendation of the Board of Directors that the Corporation’s stockholders vote in favor of the issuance to the Emblem Parties of Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock eligible for Exchange for Class A Common Stock representing 49.99% of the Corporation’s voting securities as of the date hereof and the issuance to PMC of Class A Common Stock representing 25% of the Corporation’s voting securities upon exercise of that certain Amended and Restated Warrant issued by the Corporation to PMC or Exchangeable Units, as the case may be. The Company shall not adjourn, postpone, or cancel the Shareholder Meeting without the prior written consent of the Emblem Parties and PMC unless required by law or a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 3.5Covenant to Solicit Additional Stockholder Vote. Upon the request of PMC on or after the earlier of (i) the date on which financial statements meeting the requirements of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Regulation S-X”), including financial information required by Rule 3-05 and Article 11 of Regulation S-X with respect to transactions other than pursuant to which action is to be taken as described in the applicable proxy statement are available to be filed and (ii) February 14, 2025, the Corporation shall, as promptly as practicable, but in any event no later than 60 days following the receipt of such request from PMC, duly call, give notice of, convene, and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the “Additional Shareholder Meeting”) for the purpose of obtaining the approval of its stockholder of the issuance of Class B Common Stock of the PMC Issuance (the “Additional Stockholder Vote”) in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit and obtain such Additional Stockholder Vote, including preparing and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission all necessary proxy statements and other required filings. The solicitation materials distributed in connection with the additional Shareholder Meeting shall be in form and substance satisfactory to PMC and shall include the recommendation of the Corporation’s board of directors that the Corporation’s stockholders vote in favor of the proposal to issue Class B Common Stock of the Corporation and Class C Units of the Company eligible for exchange for Class A Common Stock representing 25% of the Company’s voting securities.

 

16


ARTICLE IV

Section 4.1Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) delivered by means of electronic mail (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if emailed before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard time on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the address for such recipient set forth in the Company’s books and records (or below, with respect to the Corporation), or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

If to the Company or the Corporation:

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Attention: Timothy S. Zimmer and Bryan Freeman

E-mail: tzimmer@realgoodfoods.com and bryanfreeman@realgoodfoods.com 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Company or the Corporation) to:

Varner & Brandt LLP

3750 University Avenue, 6th Floor

Riverside, California 92501

Attention: Sean S. Varner

E-mail: sean.varner@varnerbrandt.com

 

17


Section 4.2Permitted Transferees. To the extent that the Holder (or an applicable Permitted Transferee of the Holder) validly transfers after the date hereof any or all of its Class C Units and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate, to a Permitted Transferee of such Person or to any other Person in a transaction not in contravention of, and in accordance with, the LLC Agreement, then the transferee thereof shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. Upon execution of any such joinder, such transferee shall, with respect to such transferred Class C Units and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock, be entitled to all of the rights and bound by each of the obligations applicable to the relevant transferor hereunder; provided that the transferor shall remain entitled to all of the rights and bound by each of the obligations with respect to Class C Units and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock that were not so transferred.

Section 4.3Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or entity or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.4Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts and delivered via facsimile or .pdf, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same document. The signature of any party to any counterpart shall be deemed a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart. Any document (or signature page thereto) signed and transmitted as a pdf attachment to an e-mail, or executed via DocuSign (or similar form of electronic signature software), is to be treated as an original document. Any signature or document transmitted pursuant to the foregoing is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original signature on an original document. To the extent executed via DocuSign (or similar form of electronic signature software), the effectiveness of such signature and this Agreement, including any other signature pages, shall be unaffected by any expiration policies or notices of DocuSign (or similar form of electronic signature software).

Section 4.5Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the LLC Agreement, (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto and their Permitted Transferees, any rights or remedies hereunder.

Section 4.6Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any other party hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated herein.

Section 4.7Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 4.8Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the State of Delaware and the state courts of the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each party hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States certified or registered mail (in each such case, prepaid return receipt requested) to such party’s respective address set forth in the Company’s books and records or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party shall be effective service of process in any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the United States District Court for the State of Delaware or the state courts of the State of Delaware and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

18


Section 4.9WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 4.10Amendments. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote or written consent of each of (i) the Corporation, (ii) the Company and (iii) the Holders holding a majority of the then outstanding Class C Units. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 4.11Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors, assigns and Permitted Transferees.

Section 4.12Specific Enforcement. The parties hereto acknowledge that the remedies at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this Agreement, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may then be available.

[Signature Pages to Follow]

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
REAL GOOD FOODS, LLC
By:  

The Real Good Food Company, Inc.,

its Managing Member

  By:  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

  Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Exchange Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

HOLDERS:

                   

Signature Page to Exchange Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF EXECUTIVE LLC
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF BLOCKER INC.
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Exchange Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

PMC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Walter E. Butkus, III

Name:   Walter E. Butkus, III
Title:   President

Signature Page to Exchange Agreement


EXHIBIT A

 

Name and Address of Holders   

Number of
Class C Units Owned

  

Number of Shares of
Class B Common Stock to be Issued

Emblem-RGF Main LLC

     

Emblem-RGF Executive LLC

     

Emblem-RGF Blocker Inc.

   [●]    [●]*

 

*

[●]1 shares of such Class B Common Stock shall be issued upon the occurrence of a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders approving the issuance of such Class B Common Stock. The Second Step Issuance of shares of such Class B Common Stock shall be issued upon the later of (i) the occurrence of a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders approving the issuance of such Class B Common Stock and (ii) the funding by Emblem of the Second Step Transaction.

 

1 

Note to Draft: To be the 19.99% interest contemplated in the first step transaction.

 

B-1


EXHIBIT B

[Form of]

Exchange Notice

The Real Good Food Company, Inc.

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Attention:

Email:

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of       , 2024 (as amended from time to time, the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and the Holders referenced therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The Holder set forth below (the “Holder”) hereby transfers to the Company (or the Corporation, if the Corporation determines to effect a direct exchange with the Holder) effective as of the Exchange Date, the number of Exchangeable Units for either shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued in its name or, at the option of the Corporation, the Cash Payment payable to the account set forth below, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.

 

Legal Name of Holder:

     [      

Number of Exchangeable Units to be Exchanged:

     [      

Number of shares of Class B Common Stock to be Exchanged:

     [      

If the Holder or the Corporation elects a Cash Payment, as applicable:

  

Account Number:

     [      

Legal Name of Account Holder:

     [      

The Holder hereby represents and warrants that (i) to the extent the Holder is an entity, it was duly formed and is existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation, (ii) the Holder has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Exchange Notice and to perform the Holder’s obligations hereunder; (iii) the execution and delivery of this Exchange Notice by the Holder and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Holder; (iv) this Exchange Notice constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Holder enforceable against the Holder in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally; (v) the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to this Exchange Notice are being transferred to the Corporation (or the Company, if applicable) free and clear of any Liens; (vi) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Holder, the Exchanged Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to this Exchange Notice is required to be obtained by the Holder for the transfer of such Exchanged Units or shares of Class B Common Stock to the Corporation (or the Company, if applicable); and (vii) the Holder is not currently in possession of material non-public information concerning the Corporation, or will not be in possession of such material non-public information at the time the shares of Class A Common Stock are sold by the undersigned.

 

B-2


The Holder hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of the Corporation or the Company as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to transfer to the Corporation (or the Company, if applicable) the Exchanged Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to this Exchange Notice and to deliver to the Holder the shares of Class A Common Stock or Cash Payment to be delivered in Exchange therefor.

 

B-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Holder, by authority duly given, has caused this Exchange Notice to be executed and delivered by the undersigned.

 

NAME OF HOLDER:

 

By:                                                                                                
Name:                                                                                           
Title:                                                                                             
Dated:                                                                                           

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

[Form of]

Joinder

This Joinder (“Joinder”) is a joinder agreement to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of      , 2024 (as amended from time to time, the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and the Holders set forth therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The Company and the Corporation and the undersigned agree that all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Joinder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule, notwithstanding that public policy in Delaware or any other forum jurisdiction might indicate that the laws of that or any other jurisdiction should otherwise apply based on contacts with such state or otherwise. In the event of any conflict between this Joinder and the Exchange Agreement, the terms of this Joinder shall control.

The undersigned, having acquired Class C Units and/or shares of Class B Common Stock, hereby joins and enters into the Exchange Agreement. By signing and returning this Joinder to the Company and the Corporation, the undersigned (i) accepts and agrees to be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of and agreements of the Holder contained in the Exchange Agreement, with all attendant rights, duties and obligations of the Holder thereunder, and (ii) makes each of the representations and warranties of the Holder set forth in Section 3.3 of the Exchange Agreement as fully as if such representations and warranties were set forth herein.

The parties to the Exchange Agreement shall treat the execution and delivery hereof by the undersigned as the execution and delivery of the Exchange Agreement by the undersigned and, upon receipt of this Joinder by the Company and the Corporation, the signature of the undersigned set forth below shall constitute a counterpart signature to the signature page of the Exchange Agreement.

 

NAME OF HOLDER:

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Dated:

 

 

Address for Notice:

 

 

 
 

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.7

Execution Version

 

FIRST RESTATED AND AMENDED

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

among

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.,

THE TRA HOLDERS,

and

THE TRA HOLDER REPRESENTATIVE


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     3  

Section 1.1

   Definitions      3  

ARTICLE II ARTICLE II DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

     11  

Section 2.1

   Exchange Schedule      11  

Section 2.2

   Tax Benefit Schedule      11  

Section 2.3

   Procedures, Amendments, and Principles      12  

ARTICLE III TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

     13  

Section 3.1

   Payments      13  

Section 3.2

   No Duplicative Payments      14  

Section 3.3

   Pro Rata Payments      14  

ARTICLE IV TERMINATION

     14  

Section 4.1

   Early Termination      14  

Section 4.2

   Termination Notice      16  

Section 4.3

   Payment upon Early Termination      16  

ARTICLE V SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

     16  

Section 5.1

   Subordination      16  

Section 5.2

   Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer      17  

ARTICLE VI NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

     17  

Section 6.1

   No Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and RGF, LLC’s Tax Matters      17  

Section 6.2

   Consistency      17  

Section 6.3

   Cooperation      17  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

     18  

Section 7.1

   Notices      18  

Section 7.2

   Counterparts      18  

Section 7.3

   Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries      19  

Section 7.4

   Governing Law      19  

Section 7.5

   Severability      19  

Section 7.6

   Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers      19  

Section 7.7

   Titles and Subtitles      20  

Section 7.8

   Reconciliation      20  

Section 7.9

   Withholding      21  

Section 7.10

   Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets      21  

Section 7.11

   Confidentiality      21  

Section 7.12

   LLC Agreement      22  

Section 7.13

   TRA Holder Representative      22  

 

i


FIRST RESTATED AND AMENDED TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

This FIRST RESTATED AND AMENDED TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”) is dated as of September 20, 2024 by and among The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), the TRA Holder Representative, and each of the other Persons from time to time party hereto (the “TRA Holders”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, certain the TRA Holders held membership interests designated as “Class B Units” (the “Class B Units”) in Real Good Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RGF, LLC”) as of the date of the Prior Agreement (as defined below) as described in the registration statement on Form S-1 initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2021 (Registration No. 333-260204), as amended prior to the date hereof,

WHEREAS, RGF, LLC is classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, the Corporate Taxpayer issued shares of its Class A common stock to purchasers in an initial public offering of such stock (the “IPO” and the date on which the IPO is consummated, the “IPO Date”);

WHEREAS, on or about the IPO Date, the Corporate Taxpayer acquired membership interests designated as “Class A Units” (the “Class A Units”) of RGF, LLC (the “Class A Unit Purchase”);

WHEREAS, the Class B Units held by the TRA Holders may be exchanged for Class A common stock of the Corporate Taxpayer (the “Class A Shares”) or cash (each, a “Class B Exchange”), subject to the provisions of the Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021, among the Corporate Taxpayer, RGF, LLC and the TRA Holders party thereto, as amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Existing Exchange Agreement”) and the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of RGF, LLC (the “Prior LLC Agreement”);

WHEREAS, RGF, LLC and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, if any, treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes currently have and will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and including successor provisions thereto (the “Code”) and any corresponding provisions of state and local tax law, for each Taxable Year in which a taxable Exchange occurs;

WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense, deduction and other Income Tax items of the Corporate Taxpayer may be affected by Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest resulting from the Exchanges (collectively, the “Tax Attributes”);

WHEREAS, certain parties to this Agreement had previously executed a Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”), to make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Tax Attributes on the liability for certain taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer;


WHEREAS, certain affiliates of Emblem Group, L.P. (“Emblem” and such affiliates, the “Emblem Investors”) and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC” and, together with the Emblem Investors, the “Investors”) are acquiring (the “Investment”) Class C Units of RGF, LLC (the “Class C Units”) and shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporate Taxpayer (the “Class B Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Investment, the Corporate Taxpayer, the Investors and RGF, LLC are entering into (i) an Exchange Agreement (the “New Exchange Agreement” and, together with the Existing Exchange Agreement, the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which each Class C Unit is exchangeable for one share of Class A Shares of the Corporate Taxpayer (each, together with any Class B Exchange and any exchange of other membership interests of RGF, LLC later acquired by an Investor for shares of the Corporation, an “Exchange”) and (ii) the Fifth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of RGF, LLC (as amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to join the Investors as parties to this Agreement as TRA Holders;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I have the following meanings and the capitalized terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement have such definitions throughout this Agreement (such meanings and definitions to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

Accrued Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Actual US Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the actual liability for United States federal Income Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, RGF, LLC, but only with respect to United States federal Income Taxes imposed on RGF, LLC and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to the LLC Agreement and applicable United States federal Income Tax Law; provided that the liability described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be calculated assuming (x) any Subsequently Acquired TRA Attributes do not exist, (y) so long as RGF, LLC (or any successor entity) is a partnership for United States federal Income Tax purposes, the “remedial allocation method” of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d) is in effect for purposes of Section 704I of the Code as of the date of the closing of the Class A Unit Purchase and at all times thereafter and (z) SALT and resulting deductions are excluded.

 

3


Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first-mentioned Person.

Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.

Assumed SALT Liability” means, for a Taxable Year, the Actual US Tax Liability modified by using the Assumed SALT Rate instead of the United States federal Income Tax rates otherwise used for the determination of the Actual US Tax Liability.

Assumed SALT Rate” means the rate equal to the sum of the products of (x) RGF, LLC’s Income Tax apportionment rate for each state and local jurisdiction in which RGF, LLC files Tax Returns for the relevant Taxable Year and (y) the highest corporate Income Tax rate for each such state and local jurisdiction in which RGF, LLC files Tax Returns for each relevant Taxable Year; provided, that (i) the Assumed SALT Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing shall be reduced by an assumed United States federal Income Tax benefit received by the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to SALT, which benefit shall be calculated as the product of (a) the Corporate Taxpayer’s marginal United States federal Income Tax rate for the relevant Taxable Year and (b) the Assumed SALT Rate (without regard to this proviso)) and (ii) on or prior to the first day of any relevant Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative may agree on an Assumed SALT Rate that will be used for the relevant Taxable Year (which rate shall be based on good faith estimates of expected apportionment rates for such Taxable Year and on the Income Tax rates in effect in relevant jurisdictions as of the first day of the relevant Taxable Year).

Attributable” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the basis of a Reference Asset for Income Tax purposes under Section 1012, 754, 732, 734(b), and/or 743(b) of the Code, as a result of an Exchange or a payment made pursuant to this Agreement (to the extent permitted by applicable law).

Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to a security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have correlative meanings.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.

Business Day” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day recognized as a legal holiday by the United States government or the State of New Jersey.

 

4


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

(i) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (excluding any Emblem Party, PMC Party or any “person” or “group” who, on the IPO Date, is the Beneficial Owner of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities and excluding any “Permitted Transferee” (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and any group of Permitted Transferees)) becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities;

(ii) the shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Corporate Taxpayer or (B) there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets to an entity at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such sale or other disposition;

(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporate Taxpayer with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (A) the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) all of the Persons who were the respective Beneficial Owners of the voting securities of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation (excluding or the purpose of this subsection (iii) any transaction where an Emblem Party or PMC Party is entitled to a majority of the board of directors or more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities; or

(iv) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer then serving: individuals who were directors of the Corporate Taxpayer on the IPO Date, individuals who are affiliated with or nominated by the Emblem Parties or PMC Parties, or any new director whose appointment or election to the Board or nomination for election by the Corporate Taxpayer’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors of the Corporate Taxpayer on the IPO Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (iv).

 

5


Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of (x) any transaction or series of transactions entered into prior to the date hereof, (y) any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately following such transaction or series of transactions or (z) the transactions contemplated by the New Exchange Agreement, including the issuance of Exchangeable Units (as defined in the New Exchange Agreement), any conversion or exchange by Emblem, the Emblem Investors or any of their respective Affiliates (the “Emblem Parties”) or PMC or any of its affiliates (the “PMC Parties”)) of securities acquired by it pursuant to the Investment or the New Exchange Agreement or any exercise of rights obtained by an Emblem Party or a PMC Party in connection with the Investment or any other transactions between the Emblem Parties and the PMC Parties, on the one hand, and the Corporation or any of its affiliates, on the other hand and any other agreements governing any such transactions.

Class A Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Class A Unit Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Class A Units” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Class B Units” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Class B Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Code” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have correlative meanings.

Corporate Taxpayer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the United States federal Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer filed with respect to the applicable Taxable Year.

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period, in each case determined based on the most recent Schedules in existence at the time of such determination.

Default Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 500 basis points.

Determination” means “determination” as used in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state or local Income Tax law (and includes terms with similar meanings in such provisions), as applicable, or any other event that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax, including, without limitation, the execution of IRS Form 870-AD and any other acquiescence of the Corporate Taxpayer to the amount of any assessed liability for Tax.

 

6


Disputing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Date” means, for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment, the date of an Early Termination Notice.

Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.

Early Termination Rate” means a per annum rate of the lesser of (i) 5.5%, compounded annually, and (ii) SOFR plus 100 basis points.

Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Emblem Investors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Emblem” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Emblem Parties” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Change of Control.

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.

Exchange Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

Existing Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Expert” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Hypothetical SALT Liability” means, for a Taxable Year, the Hypothetical US Tax Liability modified by using the Assumed SALT Rate instead of the United States federal Income Tax rates otherwise used for the determination of the Hypothetical US Tax Liability.

Hypothetical US Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the Actual US Tax Liability modified by (i) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis, instead of the otherwise applicable Income Tax basis, of the Reference Assets, (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the Taxable Year, and (iii) excluding the carryover or carryback of any Income Tax item or attribute (or portions thereof) that is available for use because of any Tax Attribute.

 

7


Imputed Interest” in respect of a TRA Holder means any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations in respect of such TRA Holder under this Agreement.

Income Taxes” means any and all United States federal, state, and local taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, including, without limitation, such taxes which are franchise taxes, and any interest related to such tax.

Investors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

IPO Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

LLC Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Material Breach” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b) of this Agreement.

Net Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

New Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset, the Income Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

PMC” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

PMC Parties” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Change of Control.

Prior LLC Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Prior Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the Hypothetical US Tax Liability and the Hypothetical SALT Liability over (ii) the sum of the Actual US Tax Liability and the Assumed SALT Liability; provided that, if all or a portion of the actual liability for applicable Income Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority with respect to any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

 

8


Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the Actual US Tax Liability and the Assumed SALT Liability over (ii) the sum of the Hypothetical US Tax Liability and the Hypothetical SALT Liability; provided that, if all or a portion of the actual liability for applicable Income Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority with respect to any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11 of this Agreement.

Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Reference Asset” means an asset that is held by RGF, LLC, or by any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded for purposes of the applicable Income Tax (but only if such indirect Subsidiaries are held only through Subsidiaries treated as partnerships or disregarded for purposes of such tax), at the time of an Exchange, and includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to any other Reference Asset.

Representative Provisions” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.13 of this Agreement.

Representative Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.13 of this Agreement.

RGF, LLC” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SALT” means United States state and local Income Tax.

Schedule” means an Exchange Schedule, a Tax Benefit Schedule, or the Early Termination Schedule, in each case as amended pursuant to this Agreement.

Schedule Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Schedule Recipient” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

SOFR” means, during any period, the greater of (a) 0.25% and (b) the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as reported by the Wall Street Journal two Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable period. Each determination by Corporate Taxpayer of SOFR shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error.

Subsequent Funding Transaction” means the funding of $50,000,000, less (i) the principal amount of any Subsequent Litigation Settlement Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) the principal amount of any Subsequent Understated AP Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, previously made in accordance with the Credit Agreement, to RGF, LLC or to otherwise to refinance, replace, repurchase or effectuate an assignment to the Lenders under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement, in each case, of all or any portion of the Amended and Restated PMC Facilities (as defined in the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the Emblem Loan Agreement (as defined in the New Exchange Agreement).

 

9


Subsequently Acquired TRA Attributes” means any net operating losses or other tax attributes to which any of the Corporate Taxpayer, RGF, LLC or any of their Subsidiaries become entitled as a result of a transaction (other than any Exchanges) after the date of this Agreement to the extent such net operating losses and other tax attributes are subject to a tax receivable agreement (or comparable agreement) entered into by the Corporate Taxpayer, RGF, LLC or any of their Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Corporate Taxpayer, RGF, LLC or any of their Subsidiaries are obligated to pay over amounts with respect to tax benefits resulting from such net operating losses or other tax attributes.

Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person as to which such Person, as of the date of determination, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise Controls more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner, managing member, or similar interest of such Person.

Tax Attributes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to Income Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.

Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable provision of state or local tax law, as applicable, ending on or after the date hereof.

Taxing Authority” means any United States federal, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Income Tax regulatory authority.

TRA Holder” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

TRA Holder Representative” means, prior to a Subsequent Funding Transaction, Bryan Freeman, and, effective upon the consummation of a Subsequent Funding Transaction, the person designated in writing to the Corporation by the Emblem Investors.

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations promulgated under the Code as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

 

10


Valuation Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (i) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deductions arising from all Tax Attributes during such Taxable Year (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Tax Attributes that would result from Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions, further assuming such Tax Benefit Payments would be paid on the due date, without extensions, for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return for the applicable Taxable Year) in which such deductions would become available; (ii) any loss, capital loss, disallowed interest expense, credit or similar carryovers generated by deductions or losses arising from any Tax Attributes that are available in the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Date will be fully utilized by the Corporate Taxpayer in the earliest possible Taxable Year permitted by the Code and the Treasury Regulations; (iii) the United States federal Income Tax rates that will be in effect for each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and the tax rates for SALT will be the Assumed SALT Rate, in each case as in effect on the Early Termination Date, except to the extent any change to such tax rates for such Taxable Years have already been enacted into law; (iv) any non-amortizable Reference Assets will be disposed of for cash at their fair market value, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer in its reasonable discretion, in a fully taxable transaction on the fifteenth anniversary of the Early Termination Date; and (v) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Exchangeable Units that have not been transferred in an Exchange, then all Exchangeable Units and, if applicable, shares of Class B Common Stock shall be deemed to be transferred in an Exchange effective on the Early Termination Date and otherwise on the terms set forth in the Exchange Agreement.

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE II DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

Section 2.1 Exchange Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the Corporate Taxpayer Return for each Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected by any TRA Holder, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the TRA Holder Representative a schedule (the “Exchange Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail, the information necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, including (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets in respect of such TRA Holder as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Basis Adjustment with respect to the Reference Assets in respect of such TRA Holder as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year by such TRA Holder, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the period (or periods) over which the basis of the Reference Assets in respect of such TRA Holder are amortizable and/or depreciable, and (v) the period (or periods) over which each Basis Adjustment in respect of such TRA Holder is amortizable and/or depreciable.

Section 2.2 Tax Benefit Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the Corporate Taxpayer Return for any Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected by a TRA Holder or which is subsequent to any such Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the TRA Holder Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Tax Benefit Payment in respect of such TRA Holder for such Taxable Year and the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment and components thereof for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”).

 

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Section 2.3 Procedures, Amendments, and Principles.

(a) Procedures.

(i) Additional Information. In the event the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deliver a Schedule pursuant to this Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (x) deliver to the required recipient of such Schedule (the “Schedule Recipient”) schedules, valuation reports, if any, and work papers reasonably requested by such Schedule Recipient, providing reasonable detail regarding the preparation of the Schedule and (y) allow such Schedule Recipient reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or reasonably requested by such Schedule Recipient, in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deliver a Tax Benefit Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also deliver to the Schedule Recipient the Corporate Taxpayer Return and the reasonably detailed calculations by the Corporate Taxpayer of the applicable Actual US Tax Liability, Hypothetical US Tax Liability, and Assumed SALT Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to redact any information that it reasonably believes is unnecessary for purposes of determining the items in the applicable Schedule.

(ii) Finalization of Schedules. An applicable Schedule will become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days after the first date on which the Schedule Recipient has received the applicable Schedule (the “Schedule Period”) unless such Schedule Recipient, within the Schedule Period, (i) provides the Corporate Taxpayer with a written notice of any material objection to such Schedule (“Objection Notice”) made in good faith or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of any Objection Notice, in which case such Schedule will become binding on the date the waiver is received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Objection Notice, the provisions of Section 7.9 shall apply.

(b) Schedule Amendments. The applicable Schedule shall be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified after the date the Schedule was provided to the Schedule Recipient, (iii) to comply with the Expert’s determination under Section 7.8, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such Taxable Year, (iii) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Corporate Taxpayer Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust an applicable Exchange Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide each Amended Schedule to the applicable Schedule Recipient within ninety (90) calendar days of the occurrence of an event referenced in the preceding sentence.

 

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(c) Principles. The parties agree that all Tax Benefit Payments and other payments under this Agreement (to the extent permitted by applicable law) attributable to the Basis Adjustments (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) will be treated as subsequent positive purchase price adjustments that give rise to further Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer in the year of payment, and, as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment and resulting Tax Benefit Payment for the year of payment and subsequent years.

ARTICLE III

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

Section 3.1 Payments.

(a) In General. Within five (5) calendar days after a Tax Benefit Schedule or amendment thereto becomes final and binding in accordance with this Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay each TRA Holder for such Taxable Year an amount equal to the Tax Benefit Payment in respect of such TRA Holder for such Taxable Year. Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by the applicable TRA Holder to the Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Holder.

(b) Determination. A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a TRA Holder for a Taxable Year means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the portion of the Net Tax Benefit Attributable to such TRA Holder and the Accrued Amount with respect thereto. A Net Tax Benefit is “Attributable” to a TRA Holder to the extent that it is derived from any Tax Attribute that is attributable to the Class B Units or Class C Units (or other membership interests of RGF, LLC the exchange of which constitutes an Exchange) acquired by Corporate Taxpayer in an Exchange undertaken by or with respect to such TRA Holder. The “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of eighty-five percent (85%) of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year, over the sum of the total amount of payments previously made under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement (excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that no TRA Holder shall be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. The “Accrued Amount” with respect to any portion of a Net Tax Benefit shall equal an amount determined in the same manner as interest on such portion of the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the Corporation Return for such Taxable Year until the date such portion of the Net Tax Benefit is paid. For tax purposes, the parties agree that the Accrued Amount shall not be treated as interest but instead shall be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of Class B Units or Class C Units (or other membership interests of RGF, LLC the exchange of which constitutes an Exchange) in Exchanges, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

(c) Change of Control. Notwithstanding Section 3.1(b), for each Taxable Year ending on or after the date of a Change of Control, all Tax Benefit Payments, whether paid with respect to the Class B Units or Class C Units (or other membership interests of RGF, LLC the exchange of which constitute an Exchange) that were Exchanged prior to the date of such Change of Control or on or after the date of such Change of Control, shall be calculated by utilizing Valuation Assumptions, substituting in each case the terms “the date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date.”

 

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(d) Early Termination Payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, after any Early Termination Payment, the Tax Benefit Payment, Net Tax Benefit and components thereof shall be calculated without taking into account any tax attributes with respect to which such Early Termination Payment has been made or any such Early Termination Payment.

Section 3.2No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.

Section 3.3 Pro Rata Payments.

(a) If for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holders agree that (i) the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay the same proportion of each Tax Benefit Payment due to each Person due a payment hereunder in respect of such Taxable Year, without favoring one obligation over the other, and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full.

(b) To the extent the Corporate Taxpayer makes a payment to a TRA Holder in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement (taking into account Section 3.3(b), but excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such TRA Holder in respect of such Taxable Year, then (i) such TRA Holder shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such TRA Holder has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess and (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay the amount of such TRA Holder’s foregone payments to the other TRA Holders in a manner such that each of the other TRA Holders, to the maximum extent possible, shall have received aggregate payments under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement (in each case, taking into account Section 3.3(b) of this Agreement, but excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts) in the amount it would have received if there had been no excess payment to such TRA Holder.

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION

Section 4.1 Early Termination.

(a) Election by Corporate Taxpayer. The Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to the TRA Holders and with respect to all of the Class B Units and Class C Units (and other membership interests of RGF, LLC the exchange of which would constitute an Exchange) held by the TRA Holders at any time by paying to each TRA Holder the Early Termination Payment in respect of such TRA Holder; provided, however, that if the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative agree, the Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement with respect to some or all of the amounts payable to less than all of the TRA Holders; provided, further that this Agreement shall only terminate pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) with respect to a TRA Holder upon the receipt of the Early Termination Payment by such TRA Holder, and the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver an Early Termination Notice only if it is able to make all required Early Termination Payments under this Agreement at the time required by Section 4.3, and provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with this Section 4.1(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall not have any further payment obligations under this Agreement with respect to the TRA Holders that have received their Early Termination Payment in accordance with this Section 4.1(a), other than for any (i) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer, on one hand, and the applicable TRA Holder, on the other, as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (ii) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (ii) is included in the Early Termination Payment). Without limiting the foregoing, if an Exchange by a TRA Holder occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes the Early Termination Payment to such TRA Holder pursuant to this Section 4.1(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

 

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(b) Material Breach or Change of Control. In the event (x) of a Change of Control occurring after the date hereof or (y) that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement (each such breach, a “Material Breach”), whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, codified as 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq., or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Material Breach and shall include (without duplication), but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payments calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Material Breach, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of a TRA Holder agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Holder as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of such Material Breach, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of any TRA Holder due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of such Material Breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of Material Breach, each TRA Holder shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a Material Breach for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it will not be considered to be a Material Breach to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a Material Breach or other breach of this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment when due to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds to make such payment despite using reasonable best efforts to obtain funds to make such payment (including by causing RGF, LLC or any other Subsidiaries to distribute or lend funds for such payment and access any revolving credit facilities or other sources of available credit to fund any such amounts); provided that Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment; provided further that, solely with respect to a Tax Benefit Payment, if the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by existing credit agreements to which RGF, LLC is a party, which limitations are effective as of the date of this Agreement, Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate.

 

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Section 4.2 Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above or upon request by the TRA Holder Representative in the event of Material Breach, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the TRA Holder Representative notice of such intention to exercise such right or such Material Breach, as applicable (“Early Termination Notice”), and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment(s) due for each TRA Holder.

Section 4.3 Payment upon Early Termination.

(a) Within three (3) calendar days after an Early Termination Schedule becomes final and binding in accordance with this Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each TRA Holder an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment determined in accordance with such Schedule in respect of such TRA Holder. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the TRA Holder or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Holder.

(b) “Early Termination Payment” in respect of a TRA Holder shall equal the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate (using a mid-year convention) as of the applicable Early Termination Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of such TRA Holder that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions in respect of such TRA Holder are applied.

ARTICLE V

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

Section 5.1 Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or any other payment required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to any TRA Holder under this Agreement shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries (such obligations, “Senior Obligations”) and shall be pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer that are not Senior Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, any amounts owed by the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement are not Senior Obligations.

 

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Section 5.2 Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer. The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or other payment under this Agreement not made to the TRA Holders when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or other payment was due and payable.

ARTICLE VI

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

Section 6.1 No Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and RGF, LLC’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the LLC Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion with respect to, all tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and RGF, LLC, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Income Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the TRA Holder Representative of, and keep such Person reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporate Taxpayer or RGF, LLC by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of any TRA Holder under this Agreement; provided, however, that neither the Corporate Taxpayer nor RGF, LLC shall be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the LLC Agreement.

Section 6.2 Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holders agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including federal, state and local tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Income Tax-related items (including, without limitation, the Tax Attributes and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that set forth in any Schedule which has become final and binding unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Section 6.3 Cooperation.

(a) Each of the TRA Holders and the TRA Holder Representative shall furnish to the Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as such Person may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as such Person may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter. The Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the TRA Holder Representative and each such TRA Holder for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3(a).

(b) The Corporate Taxpayer shall furnish to the TRA Holder Representative in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as such Person may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement or for enabling any TRA Holder to prepare any Tax Return or to contest or defend any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the TRA Holder Representative and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as such Person may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter.

 

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ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile or e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

If to the Corporate Taxpayer, to:

The Real Good Food Company, Inc.

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Corporate Taxpayer) to:

Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, P.C.

Attn: Ryan Wilkins and Kyle Leingang

660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1600

Newport Beach, CA 92660

If to a TRA Holder, to:

The address, fax number or e-mail address set forth in the records of RGF, LLC.

If to the TRA Holder Representative appointed as such as of the date hereof, to:

Bryan Freeman

3 Executive Campus, Suite 155

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Any party may change its address, fax number or e-mail address by giving the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative written notice of its new address, fax number or e-mail address in the manner set forth above.

Section 7.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or e-mail of a Portable Document Format (.pdf) document shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the LLC Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and its respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 7.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof or of any other jurisdiction that would mandate or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

Section 7.5 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

Section 7.6 Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.

(a) Without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer, no TRA Holder may assign this Agreement to any Person, except (i) with respect to the rights and obligations under this Agreement allocable to Class B Units or Class C Units (or other membership interests of RGF, LLC the exchange of which would constitute an Exchange) transferred by such TRA Holder in accordance with the LLC Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, the transferee of such Class B Units or Class C Units (or such other membership interests) and (ii) upon or after an Exchange, any and all payments that may become payable to a TRA Holder pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Exchange, provided, however, that in each case described in clause (i) or clause (ii), the assignee has executed and delivered to the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative, a joinder to this Agreement, in the form of Exhibit A or such other form mutually agreed by the transferring TRA Holder, the assignee, the Corporate Taxpayer, and the TRA Holder Representative.

(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative or waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom such waiver is intended to be effective.

 

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(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

Section 7.7 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

Section 7.8 Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer, on the one hand, and a TRA Holder, Required Recipient, or TRA Holder Representative (in such capacity, the “Disputing Party”), on the other hand, are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Section 2.3(a)(ii), the calculations required by Section 3.1 or Section 4.3(b), the matters governed by Section 6.2, or any other calculation required by this Agreement (a “Reconciliation Dispute”) within the relevant period designated in this Agreement or, if no such period is designated, within thirty (30) days of the applicable dispute, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative, whether on its own behalf or on behalf of the applicable TRA Holder or Required Recipient, shall engage a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to all such parties, provided, that (i) the Expert must be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and (ii) unless the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative agree otherwise, the Expert must not, and the firm that employs the Expert must not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer, the TRA Holder Representative, or any Disputing Party or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the TRA Holder Representative and Corporate Taxpayer shall each name a representative meeting the above qualifications, and such representatives shall mutually appoint the Expert. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative shall submit the applicable Reconciliation Dispute to the Expert for resolution in accordance with this Agreement, including this Section 7.8, and shall instruct the Expert to resolve any matter relating to the Exchange Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and to resolve any other matter within fifteen (15) calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable after such matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a Reconciliation Dispute would be due (in the absence of such dispute) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a Reconciliation Dispute is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative shall instruct the Expert to apportion its fees and expenses for the applicable determinations and the costs of amending applicable Tax Returns between the Corporate Taxpayer and the Disputing Party so as to approximate the extent to which the Reconciliation Dispute was determined against each such party. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted to the Expert for resolution. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Holder Representative shall instruct the Expert to finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute or other dispute pursuant to or amount subject to this Section 7.8 and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and the Disputing Party and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

 

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Section 7.9 Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such withholding was made.

Section 7.10 Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

(a) If the Corporate Taxpayer is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to such group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

(b) If any entity that is obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder transfers one or more assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) with which such entity does not file a consolidated tax return as set forth above, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such contribution. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the gross fair market value of the contributed asset, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer in its reasonable discretion. For purposes of this Section 7.11, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership allocated to such partner.

Section 7.11 Confidentiality.

(a) Each TRA Holder and the TRA Holder Representative (in each case, the “Receiving Party”) acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such Receiving Party shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors, concerning RGF, LLC and its Affiliates and successors or the TRA Holders, learned by the Receiving Party heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.12 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of the TRA Holder in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information (A) as may be proper in the course of performing such Receiving Party’s obligations, or monitoring or enforcing such Receiving Party’s rights, under this Agreement, (B) to such Receiving Party’s Affiliates, auditors, accountants, attorneys or other agents, (C) to any bona fide prospective assignee of or successor to such Receiving Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that such assignee or successor agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 7.12, (D) as is required to be disclosed by order of a court, administrative body or governmental body, in each case of competent jurisdiction or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by law, rule or regulation; provided that any Receiving Party required to make any such disclosure to the extent legally permissible shall provide the Corporate Taxpayer prompt notice of such disclosure, or to regulatory authorities or similar examiners conducting regulatory reviews or examinations, or (E) to the extent necessary for the Receiving Party to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding such Tax Returns from any Taxing Authority, or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns.

 

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(b) If a Receiving Party breaches, or threatens to breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.12, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.12 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporate Taxpayer, its Subsidiaries, and/or the TRA Holders and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

Section 7.12 LLC Agreement. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of RGF, LLC as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.

Section 7.13 TRA Holder Representative.

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the TRA Holders hereby (i) designate the TRA Holder Representative to serve as the sole and exclusive representative of the TRA Holders, as the agent and attorney-in-fact for and on behalf of each TRA Holder, with respect to those provisions of this Agreement that contemplate rights, obligations, or actions by the TRA Holder Representative (the “Representative Provisions”), (ii) agree to the taking by the TRA Holder Representative of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted to be taken by it under or contemplated by the Representative Provisions, and (iii) agree to be bound by all actions taken and documents executed by the TRA Holder Representative in connection with the Representative Provisions. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to rely on any action or decision of the TRA Holder Representative under the Representative Provisions as the full and final decision of each TRA Holder and shall be fully protected and indemnified for its reliance thereon. Each TRA Holder shall release and discharge the Corporate Taxpayer from and against any liability arising out of or in connection with any action or decision of the TRA Holder Representative under the Representative Provisions.

 

22


(b) The TRA Holder Representative will not be deemed to be a trustee or other fiduciary on behalf of any TRA Holder, or any other Person, nor will the TRA Holder Representative have any liability in the nature of a trustee or other fiduciary. The TRA Holder Representative makes no representation or warranty as to, nor will the TRA Holder Representative be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or verify: (1) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any Schedule; (2) the performance or observance of any of the covenants or agreements of TRA Holders under this Agreement; or (3) the genuineness, legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability, value, sufficiency, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any Schedule. The TRA Holder Representative will not incur any liability by acting in reliance upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement or other writing (which may be a bank wire, facsimile or similar writing) believed by it to be genuine and to be signed or sent by the proper party or parties. The TRA Holder Representative will incur no liability of any kind with respect to any action or omission by the TRA Holder Representative in connection with the TRA Holder Representative’s services pursuant to this Agreement, except in the event of liability directly resulting from the TRA Holder Representative’s fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The TRA Holder Representative shall not be liable for any action or omission pursuant to the advice of counsel. The TRA Holders will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the TRA Holder Representative from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims, penalties, fines, forfeitures, actions, fees, costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel and experts and their staffs and all expense of document location, duplication and shipment) (collectively, “Representative Losses”) arising out of or in connection with the TRA Holder Representative’s execution and performance of this Agreement, in each case as such Representative Loss is suffered or incurred; provided, that in the event that any such Representative Loss is finally adjudicated to have been directly caused by the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the TRA Holder Representative, the TRA Holder Representative will reimburse the TRA Holders the amount of such indemnified Representative Loss to the extent attributable to such fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The foregoing provisions of this Section 7.13(b) will survive the Closing, the resignation or removal of the TRA Holder Representative or the termination of this Agreement.

(c) RGF, LLC and The Corporate Taxpayer shall, and shall cause RGF, LLC to, to agree to indemnify, jointly and severally, the TRA Holder Representative for Representative Losses to the same extent as provided in Section 7.13(b), solely to the extent the the TRA Holder Representative has used reasonable best efforts to recover such Representative Losses under Section 7.13(b) and, notwithstanding the use of such reasonable best efforts, has not recovered, either in full or in part such Representative Losses. For the avoidance of doubt, RGF, LLC and the Corporate Taxpayer shall only be obligated to indemnify the TRA Holder Representative for the portion of Representative Losses which remain unpaid following the exercise of reasonable best efforts. The Corporate Taxpayer agrees, and shall cause RGF, LLC to agree (i) that the TRA Holders are the indemnitors of first resort (i.e., its obligations to the TRA Holder Representative are secondary and any obligation of the TRA Holders to provide indemnification for Representative Losses are primary), (ii) that it shall not be required to indemnify for Representative Losses incurred by the TRA Holder Representative and shall not be liable for any Representative Losses all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement solely to the extent required by the terms of this Agreement (or any other agreement between RGF, LLC and the TRA Holder Representative), unless and until the TRA Holder Representative has exercised reasonable best efforts to obtain such reimbursement or indemnification from the TRA Holders and, notwithstanding such reasonable best efforts, has not been able to obtain such reimbursement or indemnification from the TRA Holders. RGF, LLC and the Corporate Taxpayer are hereby irrevocably waived, relinquished and released from any and all claims by the TRA Holders for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof.

 

23


(d) If any TRA Holder Representative is unable, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer in its reasonable discretion with the consent of the Emblem Investors, to serve as TRA Holder Representative or resigns as TRA Holder Representative, a successor TRA Holder Representative shall be appointed by the TRA Holders who held (or whose predecessors held), as of the IPO Date, the majority of the Class B Units and Class C Units then held by all TRA Holders (or their predecessors), excluding, in each case Class B Units and Class C Units with respect to which Early Termination Payments have been made. Each successor TRA Holder Representative shall sign an acknowledgment in writing agreeing to perform and be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the TRA Holder Representative and shall have all of the power, authority, rights and privileges conferred by this Agreement upon the original TRA Holder Representative.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the time of a Subsequent Funding Transaction, the TRA Holder Representative shall have no rights under Section 4.1, Section 4.2, Section 6.3 and Section 7.6 of this Agreement. The rights that would be held by the TRA Holder Representative under such sections of this Agreement if this Section 7.13(d) did not exist shall instead be held by the TRA Holders, acting unanimously (where applicable).

 

24


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer and each TRA Holder have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy S. Zimmer

Name:   Timothy S. Zimmer
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
TRA HOLDERS:

 

Josh Schreider, an individual

PPZ, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Rhea Lamia
Title:   Manager

Slingshot Consumer, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Bryan Freeman
Title:   Manager
Divario Ventures, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:   Jim Foltz
Title:   Vice President — Business Ventures

Strand Equity Partners III, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer and each TRA Holder have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
TRA HOLDERS:

 

Josh Schreider, an individual

PPZ, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

/s/ Rhea Lamia

Name:   Rhea Lamia
Title:   Manager

Slingshot Consumer, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Bryan Freeman
Title:   Manager

Divario Ventures, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Jim Foltz
Title:   Vice President — Business Ventures

Strand Equity Partners III, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer and each TRA Holder have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE REAL GOOD FOOD COMPANY, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
TRA HOLDERS:

 

Josh Schreider, an individual

PPZ, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Rhea Lamia
Title:   Manager

Slingshot Consumer, LLC,

a Wyoming limited liability company

By:  

/s/ Bryan Freeman

Name:   Bryan Freeman
Title:   Manager

Divario Ventures, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:   Jim Foltz
Title:   Vice President — Business Ventures

Strand Equity Partners III, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


CPG Solutions, LLC
By:  

 

Name:   Andrew Stiffelman
Title:   Manager

 

Gerard Law

 

Akshay Jagdale

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer and each TRA Holder have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TRA HOLDERS:
EMBLEM-RGF MAIN LLC
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF EXECUTIVE LLC
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EMBLEM-RGF BLOCKER INC.
By:  

/s/ Patrick Cook

Name:   Patrick Cook
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the TRA Representative has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TRA REPRESENTATIVE:

/s/ Bryan Freeman

 

Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement


Exhibit A

Form of Joinder

This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) by [    ] (the “Permitted Transferee”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of [    ], 2021, by and among the Corporate Taxpayer, the TRA Holder Representative, and each TRA Holder (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) is effective as of [    ] (the “Effective Date”).

WHEREAS, Permitted Transferee acquired (the “Acquisition”) [Class B Units and the corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock of Corporate Transferor] [the right to receive any and all payments that may become due and payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to Class B Units that were previously Exchanged and are described in greater detail in Annex A to this Joinder] (collectively, “Interests” and, together with all other interests hereinafter acquired by the Permitted Transferee from Transferor, the “Acquired Interests”) from [    ] (“Transferor”); and

WHEREAS, Transferor and Permitted Transferee desire, in connection with the Acquisition, for Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.6(a) of the Tax Receivable Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Permitted Transferee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized words used but not defined in this Joinder have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.02 Joinder. As of the Effective Date, Permitted Transferee hereby becomes a “TRA Holder” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.03 Notice. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, approval, waiver or other communication hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be delivered or sent to Permitted Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.04 Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Delaware], without regard to the conflicts of laws principals thereof or of any other jurisdiction that would mandate or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.

 

[PERMITTED TRANSFEREE]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Address:  

 

A-2

Exhibit 99.1

The Real Good Food Company Announces Debt Refinancing Transactions with PMC Financial Services and Emblem Investments Fund I, LP

Emblem Financing Provides Significant Incremental Liquidity to Drive Operational Turnaround Supporting Continued Growth

CHERRY HILL, N.J., September 26, 2024 — The Real Good Food Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGF) (“Real Good Foods” or the “Company”), a leading health and wellness frozen and refrigerated foods company, today announced it has amended its existing financing with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”) and entered into an agreement with Emblem Investments Fund I, LP (“Emblem”) for a new term loan of $60 million. The Company will apply $8 million of the proceeds to repay the existing PMC financing and $52 million for general corporate purposes and transaction fees.

These transactions support the expansion of the Company’s manufacturing capabilities and drive several corporate initiatives to position the Company for profitable long-term growth. Additionally, as part of the agreement, the Company issued 19.99% of its outstanding equity to Emblem in the form of Class C Units of its subsidiary, Real Good Food LLC, which are exchangeable into the Company’s common shares, further indicating alignment with the Company’s focus on long-term value creation.

Tim Zimmer, CEO of Real Good Foods, said: “We are thrilled to announce these transformational transactions, which provide us with significant liquidity and therefore the capability to make critical investments in our supply chain and strategic initiatives. This will better position our supply chain to meet strong demand for our products and improve service for our customers, which sets the foundation for profitable long-term growth. These transactions are a testament to the confidence the Company’s lenders have in the business and its long-term potential.”

About Emblem

Emblem is a private equity firm based in Boston that makes catalyzing investments in market-leading businesses. Emblem has a flexible mandate, a long-term approach, and a focus on alignment with its partners.

About Real Good Food Company

Real Good Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGF) is a leading health and wellness frozen and refrigerated foods company, providing a better way to enjoy your favorite foods. The Company’s mission is to provide “Real Food You Feel Good About Eating”, making delicious, nutritious foods that are low in sugar, low in carbohydrates and high in protein. The Real Good Foods family of products includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks – available in over 16,000 stores nationwide with additional direct-to-consumer options.


To learn more, please visit our website at realgoodfoods.com or join us on social media @realgoodfoods, where we maintain some of the largest followings in the frozen food industry today.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are subject to considerable risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements regarding the timing of the filing of Company’s late periodic reports and amendments to prior periodic reports, the Company’s plan to request a hearing to appeal its delisting determination by Nasdaq, and the Company’s plan to request various extension periods to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” and similar expressions or the negative of these expressions.

Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and predictions about trends affecting the Company’s business and industry and are based on information available as of the time such statements are made. Although the Company does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, it cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Forward-looking statements involve numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements predicted, assumed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause its actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the risk of further delays in the filing of the Company’s late periodic reports and restated financial statements in amendments to prior periodic reports, the discovery of additional information regarding the error identified in the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements, the scope of the anticipated restatement of previously issued financial statements as a result of the error, the remediation by management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm of the identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, the Panel’s determination following the Company’s appeal of its delisting decision, the Panel’s decision whether or not to grant the Company various extension periods following the submission of a hearing request to regain compliance with the Listing Rule, the Company’s ability to regain compliance with the Listing Rule and other continued listing standards and other risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.


Investor Relations Contact

Lucas A. Zimmerman

Managing Director

MZ Group - MZ North America

(949) 259-4987

RGF@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

v3.24.3
Document and Entity Information
Sep. 20, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Entity Registrant Name Real Good Food Company, Inc.
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001871149
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Sep. 20, 2024
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-41025
Entity Tax Identification Number 87-1280343
Entity Address, Address Line One 3 Executive Campus
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 155
Entity Address, City or Town Cherry Hill
Entity Address, State or Province NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 08002
City Area Code (856)
Local Phone Number 644-5624
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Class A common stock $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol RGF
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company true
Entity Ex Transition Period true

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