Item 1.01
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Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
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On January 17, 2018, La Quinta
Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (
La Quinta
), Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, a Delaware corporation (
Wyndham Worldwide
) and WHG BB Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary
of Wyndham Worldwide (
Merger Sub
), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
Merger Agreement
), pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Wyndham
Worldwide has agreed to acquire La Quintas franchising and management business (the
Acquired Business
). In connection with the transaction, La Quinta and CorePoint Lodging, Inc. a Maryland corporation and an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of La Quinta (
CorePoint
), entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated January 17, 2018 (the
Separation Agreement
), pursuant to which (together with the documents
further described in the Separation Agreement), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement, immediately prior to the Merger (as defined below), La Quinta will, among other things, (i) effect a
reclassification and combination of the La Quinta Common Stock (as defined below) whereby each share of La Quinta Common Stock (par value $0.01) will be reclassified and combined into one half of a share of La Quinta Common Stock (par value $0.02)
(the
Reverse Stock Split
), (ii) convey La Quintas owned real estate assets and certain related assets and liabilities to CorePoint (the
CorePoint Business
) and, (iii) thereafter, distribute (the
Distribution
) to the La Quinta common stockholders all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CorePoint, which will become a separate publicly traded company. Immediately following the Distribution, in accordance
with and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into La Quinta (the
Merger
), with La Quinta continuing as the surviving company in the Merger and as a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
Wyndham Worldwide. The boards of directors of each of Wyndham Worldwide and La Quinta have approved the Merger Agreement.
Merger
Agreement
On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, which
will occur immediately after the effective time of the Distribution (the
Effective Time
), and as a result thereof, each share of common stock of La Quinta (
La Quinta Common Stock
) that is issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of La Quinta Common Stock (i) held by La Quinta as treasury stock or (ii) owned by Wyndham Worldwide or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time (which will be canceled
without payment of any consideration) and La Quinta Common Stock for which appraisal rights have been validly exercised and not withdrawn (collectively, the
Excluded Shares
)) will be converted into the right to receive $8.40 in
cash per share, prior to giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split; upon completion of the Reverse Stock Split prior to the Effective Time, each such share will be converted into the right to receive $16.80 in cash per share (the
Merger
Consideration
). Any fractional shares of La Quinta Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger (other than any Excluded Shares), including any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split, will be
converted into the right to receive a proportionate fraction of the Merger Consideration.
Except as otherwise agreed between Wyndham
Worldwide and a holder in writing, immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) each La Quinta restricted stock award that is then outstanding will, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, vest and
become free of restrictions as of the Effective Time and be cancelled and terminated, and each holder of a La Quinta restricted stock award will have the right to receive from the surviving corporation, in respect of such La Quinta restricted stock
award, an amount in cash (less any applicable withholding taxes) equal to (A) the number of shares of La Quinta Common Stock subject to such La Quinta restricted stock award, multiplied by (B) the Merger Consideration and (ii) any
vesting conditions applicable to each La Quinta restricted share unit that is then outstanding will, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, accelerate in full, and such La Quinta restricted share unit will
be cancelled and terminated, and each holder of a La Quinta restricted share unit will have the right to receive from the surviving corporation, in respect of such La Quinta restricted share unit, an amount in cash (less any applicable withholding
taxes) equal to (A) the number of shares of La Quinta Common Stock previously subject to such restricted share unit award, multiplied by (B) the Merger Consideration.
Wyndham Worldwide and La Quinta have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among
others, covenants that: (i) La Quinta will conduct the Acquired Business (and the CorePoint Business to the extent any action taken or not taken would reasonably be expect to adversely affect La Quinta, the Acquired Business or Wyndham
Worldwide as the owner and operator of the Acquired Business following the Effective Time in any material respect) in the ordinary course consistent with past practice during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the
Effective Time, (ii) La Quinta will not engage in certain kinds of transactions during such period without the consent of Wyndham Worldwide, (iii) unless the board of directors of La Quinta (the
La Quinta Board
) effects
a Change of Board Recommendation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), La Quinta will cause a meeting of the La Quinta stockholders to be held to consider adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of amendments to La Quintas certificate of
incorporation necessary to effect the Reverse Stock Split (the
La Quinta Charter Amendments
), and (iv) subject to certain customary exceptions, the La Quinta Board will recommend adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval
of the La Quinta Charter Amendments by the stockholders of La Quinta. La Quinta has also made certain additional customary covenants, including, among others, covenants not to: (i) solicit or knowingly encourage any inquiries with respect to
certain alternative business combination transactions or (ii) subject to certain exceptions designed to allow the La Quinta Board to fulfill its fiduciary duties to La Quintas stockholders (described further below), engage in any
acquisitions or discussions concerning, or provide any confidential information to, any person relating to certain alternative business combination transactions.
Prior to the adoption of the Merger Agreement by La Quintas stockholders, the La Quinta
Board may (i) withhold, withdraw or modify its recommendation that La Quintas stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement or approve, endorse or recommend a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or (ii) terminate the
Merger Agreement to concurrently enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal and pay the La Quinta Termination Fee (as defined below) prior to or concurrently with such termination. In connection with any such action, La
Quinta must comply with certain notice and other specified conditions, including the requirement that the proposal did not result from a material breach of La Quintas
non-solicitation
obligations, giving
Wyndham Worldwide the opportunity to propose revisions to the terms of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement during a match right period and, if requested by Wyndham Worldwide, engaging in good faith negotiations with Wyndham
Worldwide during such match right period.
Wyndham Worldwide and La Quinta have agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts to
do all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Merger, including making filings with and seeking approvals from certain governmental entities under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
HSR Act
). In furtherance thereof, Wyndham Worldwide has agreed to accept certain restrictions on certain of its assets or the Acquired Business, if and to the extent necessary to obtain such approvals.
Consummation of the Merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of
the La Quinta Charter Amendments by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of La Quinta Common Stock (the
Stockholder Approval
), (ii) the absence of any law prohibiting or order preventing the consummation of the
Merger or the Distribution, (iii) the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act (
HSR Approval
), (iv) the absence of a material adverse effect with respect to La Quinta, (v) the receipt
by La Quinta of the Cash Payment (as defined below) from CorePoint in accordance with the Separation Agreement, (v) the consummation of the Separation (as defined below) and the Distribution in accordance with the Separation Agreement and
(vi) compliance in all material respects on the part of each of Wyndham Worldwide and La Quinta with such partys covenants under the Merger Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement (as defined below). The
obligation of each party to consummate the Merger is also conditioned upon the other partys representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain materiality exceptions).The consummation of the Merger is not subject to a
financing condition.
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both Wyndham Worldwide and La Quinta, including in the
event the Stockholder Approval is not obtained at a duly convened meeting of La Quinta stockholders or in the event the Merger is not consummated on or before July 17, 2018 (which date may be extended by either party by 90 days in the event
that all closing conditions are satisfied or waived, other than HSR Approval) (the
Outside Date
). The Merger Agreement further provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement in certain circumstances, including if the
Merger Agreement is terminated by Wyndham Worldwide in the event the La Quinta Board effects a Change of Board Recommendation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or by La Quinta in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the Merger Agreement
to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), La Quinta would be required to pay Wyndham Worldwide a termination fee of $37,000,000 (the
La Quinta Termination Fee
).
The Merger Agreement also provides that if the Merger Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances in the event the Stockholder Approval is not obtained or in the event the Merger is not consummated on or before the Outside Date, and in
connection with such termination La Quinta has not delivered to Wyndham Worldwide a certificate signed by an officer of La Quinta making certain representations with respect to the status of CorePoints debt financing contemplated by the
Separation Agreement, La Quinta would be required to pay Wyndham Worldwide the La Quinta Termination Fee. In no circumstance will La Quinta be obligated to pay more than one La Quinta Termination Fee.
Separation Agreement
The Separation Agreement governs the terms and conditions regarding the Reverse Stock Split, the transfer of the CorePoint Business from La
Quinta to CorePoint (the
Separation
) and the Distribution. In connection with the Separation, the Separation Agreement provides, among other things, for the transfer by La Quinta to CorePoint of certain assets, and the assumption
by CorePoint of certain liabilities, related to the CorePoint Business.
The Separation Agreement provides that, immediately prior to and
as a condition of the Distribution, CorePoint will make a cash payment to La Quinta of $983,950,000, subject to certain adjustments based on the actual amount of net indebtedness at La Quinta (as of immediately prior to the effective time of the
Distribution) and certain accrued but unpaid expenses incurred in connection with the Separation, the Distribution and the Merger (the
Cash Payment
). In connection with entry into the Merger Agreement, CorePoint entered into a
commitment letter (the
Debt Commitment Letter
) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the
Debt Commitment Party
) pursuant to which the Debt Commitment Party has committed, subject to customary conditions, to provide
CorePoint with $1.085 billion in secured debt financing to facilitate the refinancing of substantially all of La Quintas existing indebtedness in connection with the Separation and provide sufficient funds to make the Cash Payment.
The Separation Agreement provides that the Distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of various conditions, including receipt of the Cash Payment by La Quinta and the effectiveness of CorePoints Form 10 in connection with the Distribution.
The Separation Agreement also sets forth certain other covenants and agreements between La Quinta and CorePoint related to the Separation,
including provisions concerning the termination and settlement of intercompany accounts and obtaining certain governmental approvals and third party consents. The Separation Agreement also sets forth certain covenants and agreements that govern
certain aspects of the relationship between La Quinta and CorePoint following the Distribution, including provisions with respect to release of claims and indemnification provisions.
Other Agreements
In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Separation Agreement, certain additional agreements have been
or will be entered into, including, among others:
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an Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2018, between La Quinta and CorePoint, which governs certain obligations of La Quinta and CorePoint with respect to current and former La Quinta employees,
including certain compensation and benefits obligations, the treatment of certain equity awards, and the allocation of certain employee-related assets and liabilities between La Quinta and CorePoint;
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a Tax Matters Agreement between La Quinta and CorePoint, which will govern La Quintas and CorePoints respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to tax liabilities, tax attributes, the
preparation and filing of tax returns, tax contests, and certain other tax matters, including a
two-way
adjustment to the extent La Quintas estimated tax liability as a result of the Distribution is
greater or less than an agreed-upon reserve amount set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement;
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Hotel Management Agreements and Franchise Agreements governing the ongoing relationship between La Quinta, as operator of CorePoints hotels, and CorePoint as the owner of such hotels; and
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a Transition Services Agreement between La Quinta and CorePoint, pursuant to which each party will provide certain services to the other party for an interim period following the Separation.
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The foregoing descriptions of the Merger, the Merger Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the other agreements
referenced herein and the transactions contemplated thereby do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and
incorporated herein by reference, the full text of the Separation Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2 and incorporated herein by reference, the full text of the Employee Matters Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and
incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of such other agreements described herein.
The Merger Agreement governs the
contractual rights between the parties in relation to the Merger. The Merger Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement have been filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form
8-K
to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement and are not intended to provide, modify or supplement any
information about Wyndham Worldwide, Merger Sub, La Quinta, CorePoint or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, or their respective businesses. In particular, the Merger Agreement is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as,
disclosures regarding any facts and circumstances relating to Wyndham Worldwide or La Quinta. The representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement have been negotiated with the principal purpose of establishing the circumstances in
which a party may have the right not to consummate the Merger if the representations and warranties of the other party prove to be untrue due to a change in circumstance or otherwise, and allocating risk between the parties, rather than establishing
matters as facts. The representations and warranties may also be subject to contractual standards of materiality that may be different from those generally applicable under the securities laws.