Revolving Loan Agreement - Wild Oats Markets Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank NA
REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT Dated as of March 2, 1999 among WILD OATS MARKETS, INC. THE LENDERS HEREIN NAMED and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent <PAGE> TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Page ---- Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS..................................... 1 1.1 Defined Terms............................................................ 1 1.2 Use of Defined Terms..................................................... 27 1.3 Accounting Terms......................................................... 27 1.4 Rounding................................................................. 28 1.5 Exhibits and Schedules................................................... 28 1.6 References to "Borrower and its Subsidiaries"............................ 28 1.7 Miscellaneous Terms...................................................... 28 Article 2 LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.......................................... 28 2.1 Loans-General............................................................ 28 2.2 Alternate Base Rate Loans................................................ 30 2.3 Eurodollar Rate Loans.................................................... 30 2.4 Letters of Credit........................................................ 31 2.5 Voluntary Reduction of Commitments....................................... 35 2.6 Optional Termination of Commitments...................................... 35 2.7 Administrative Agent's Right to Assume Funds Available for Advances...... 35 2.8 Swing Line............................................................... 36 Article 3 PAYMENTS AND FEES.................................................... 38 3.1 Principal and Interest................................................... 38 3.2 Arrangement Fee.......................................................... 40 3.3 Participation Fee........................................................ 40 3.4 Agency Fee............................................................... 40 3.5 Commitment Fee........................................................... 40 3.6 Letter of Credit Fees.................................................... 41 3.7 Increased Commitment Costs............................................... 41 3.8 Eurodollar Costs and Related Matters..................................... 42 3.9 Late Payments............................................................ 46 3.10 Computation of Interest and Fees......................................... 46 -i- <PAGE> 3.11 Non-Banking Days......................................................... 46 3.12 Manner and Treatment of Payments......................................... 47 3.13 Funding Sources.......................................................... 48 3.14 Failure to Charge Not Subsequent Waiver.................................. 48 3.15 Administrative Agent's Right to Assume Payments Will be Made............. 49 3.16 Fee Determination Detail................................................. 49 3.17 Survivability............................................................ 49 Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................... 49 4.1 Existence and Qualification; Power; Compliance With Laws................. 49 4.2 Authority; Compliance With Other Agreements and Instruments and Government Regulations.................................................. 50 4.3 No Governmental Approvals Required....................................... 50 4.4 Subsidiaries............................................................. 51 4.5 Financial Statements..................................................... 52 4.6 No Other Liabilities; No Material Adverse Changes........................ 52 4.7 Title to and Location of Property........................................ 52 4.8 Intangible Assets........................................................ 52 4.9 Public Utility Holding Company Act....................................... 52 4.10 Litigation............................................................... 53 4.11 Binding Obligations...................................................... 53 4.12 No Default............................................................... 53 4.13 ERISA.................................................................... 53 4.14 Regulation U; Investment Company Act..................................... 54 4.15 Disclosure............................................................... 54 4.16 Tax Liability............................................................ 54 4.17 Projections.............................................................. 54 4.18 Hazardous Materials...................................................... 54 4.19 Solvency................................................................. 55 Article 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS (OTHER THAN INFORMATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS)....................................................... 55 5.1 Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Liens............................... 55 5.2 Preservation of Existence................................................ 55 5.3 Maintenance of Properties................................................ 56 -ii- <PAGE> 5.4 Maintenance of Insurance................................................. 56 5.5 Compliance With Laws..................................................... 56 5.6 Inspection Rights........................................................ 56 5.7 Keeping of Records and Books of Account.................................. 56 5.8 Compliance With Agreements............................................... 57 5.9 Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 57 5.10 Hazardous Materials Laws................................................. 57 5.11 Future Subsidiaries...................................................... 57 5.12 Year 2000 Compliance..................................................... 57 5.13 Syndication Process...................................................... 58 Article 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS................................................... 58 6.1 Prepayment of Indebtedness............................................... 58 6.2 Disposition of Property.................................................. 58 6.3 Mergers.................................................................. 58 6.4 Acquisitions............................................................. 59 6.5 Distributions............................................................ 59 6.6 ERISA.................................................................... 59 6.7 Change in Nature of Business............................................. 60 6.8 Liens and Negative Pledges............................................... 60 6.9 Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations.................................... 61 6.10 Transactions with Affiliates............................................. 61 6.11 Funded Debt Ratio........................................................ 62 6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.............................................. 62 6.13 Stockholders' Equity..................................................... 62 6.14 Investments.............................................................. 62 6.15 Subsidiary Indebtedness.................................................. 63 Article 7 INFORMATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS............................... 64 7.1 Financial and Business Information....................................... 64 7.2 Compliance Certificates.................................................. 66 Article 8 CONDITIONS........................................................... 67 8.1 Initial Advances, Etc.................................................... 67 -iii- <PAGE> 8.2 Advances Under Line B Commitment........................................ 69 8.3 Any Advance, Etc........................................................ 69 Article 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.......................................................... 71 9.1 Events of Default....................................................... 71 9.2 Remedies Upon Event of Default.......................................... 73 Article 10 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT............................................ 76 10.1 Appointment and Authorization........................................... 76 10.2 Administrative Agent and Affiliates..................................... 76 10.3 Proportionate Interest in any Collateral................................ 77 10.4 Lenders' Credit Decisions............................................... 77 10.5 Action by Administrative Agent.......................................... 77 10.6 Liability of Administrative Agent....................................... 78 10.7 Indemnification......................................................... 80 10.8 Successor Administrative Agent.......................................... 80 10.9 No Obligations of Borrower.............................................. 81 Article 11 MISCELLANEOUS....................................................... 82 11.1 Cumulative Remedies; No Waiver.......................................... 82 11.2 Amendments; Consents.................................................... 82 11.3 Costs and Expenses...................................................... 83 11.4 Nature of Lenders' Obligations.......................................... 83 11.5 Survival of Representations and Warranties.............................. 84 11.6 Notices................................................................. 84 11.7 Execution of Loan Documents............................................. 84 11.8 Binding Effect; Assignment.............................................. 85 11.9 Right of Setoff......................................................... 88 11.10 Sharing of Setoffs...................................................... 88 11.11 Indemnity by Borrower................................................... 88 11.12 Nonliability of the Lenders............................................. 90 11.13 No Third Parties Benefited.............................................. 91 11.14 Confidentiality......................................................... 91 -iv- <PAGE> 11.15 Further Assurances...................................................... 92 11.16 Integration............................................................. 92 11.17 Governing Law........................................................... 92 11.18 Severability of Provisions.............................................. 92 11.19 Headings................................................................ 93 11.20 Time of the Essence..................................................... 93 11.21 Foreign Lenders and Participants........................................ 93 11.22 Hazardous Material Indemnity............................................ 94 11.23 Arbitration............................................................. 95 11.24 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury........................................ 97 11.25 Purported Oral Amendments............................................... 97 -v- <PAGE> Exhibits -------- A - Commitments Assignment and Acceptance B - Compliance Certificate C - Line A Note D - Line B Note E - Opinion of Counsel F - Pricing Certificate G - Request for Letter of Credit H - Request for Loan I - Subsidiary Guaranty Schedules --------- 1.1 Lender Commitments 4.4 Subsidiaries 4.7 Existing Liens and Rights of Others 4.10 Material Litigation 4.18 Hazardous Materials Matters 6.9 Existing Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations 6.14 Existing Investments -vi- <PAGE> REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT ------------------------ Dated as of March 2, 1999 This REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into by and among Wild Oats Markets, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), each lender whose name is set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement and each lender which may hereafter become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.8 ---- (collectively, the "Lenders" and individually, a "Lender"), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows: Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS -------------------------------- 1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following ------------- terms shall have the meanings set forth below: "Acquired Company" means the Person whose assets or capital stock is ---------------- the subject of an Acquisition. "Acquisition" means any transaction, or any series of related ----------- transactions, consummated after the Closing Date, by which Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly (a) acquires any ongoing business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person engaged in any ongoing business, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, (b) acquires control of securities of a Person engaged in an ongoing business representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing position if the business affairs of such Person are managed by a board of directors or other governing body or (c) acquires control of more than 50% of the ownership interest in any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, business trust or other Person engaged in an ongoing business that is not managed by a board of directors or other governing body. -1- <PAGE> "Adjusted EBITDA" means, with respect to any fiscal period, EBITDA for --------------- that fiscal period adjusted by adding thereto any write-down in, or reserve -------- against, the book value of assets acquired in an Acquisition during that fiscal period taken substantially concurrently with such Acquisition. "Administrative Agent" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, -------------------- when acting in its capacity as the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor Administrative Agent. "Administrative Agent's Office" means the Administrative Agent's ----------------------------- address as set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement, or such other address as the Administrative Agent hereafter may designate by written notice to Borrower and the Lenders. "Advance" means any advance made or to be made by any Lender to ------- Borrower as provided in Article 2, and includes each Alternate Base Rate --------- -------- Advance and Eurodollar Rate Advance. "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which directly --------- or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in this definition, "control" (and the correlative terms, "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 or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise); provided that, in any event, any Person that owns, directly or -------- indirectly, 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation that has more than 100 record holders of such securities, or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person that has more than 100 record holders of such interests, will be deemed to be an Affiliate of such corporation, partnership or other Person. "Agreement" means this Revolving Loan Agreement, either as originally --------- executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, restated or extended. "Aggregate Effective Amount" means as of any date of determination and -------------------------- with respect to all Letters of Credit then outstanding, the sum of (a) the --- -2- <PAGE> aggregate effective face amounts of all such Letters of Credit not then paid by the Issuing Lender plus (b) the aggregate amounts paid by the ---- Issuing Lender under such Letters of Credit not then reimbursed to the Issuing Lender by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.4(d) and not the subject ------ of Advances made pursuant to Section 2.4(e). ------ "Alternate Base Rate" means, as of any date of determination, the rate ------------------- per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the higher of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such date and (b) the Federal --------- Funds Rate in effect on such date plus 1/2 of 1% (50 basis points). "Alternate Base Rate Advance" means an Advance made hereunder and --------------------------- specified to be an Alternate Base Rate Advance in accordance with Article ------- 2. - "Alternate Base Rate Loan" means a Loan made hereunder and specified ------------------------ to be an Alternate Base Rate Loan in accordance with Article 2. --------- "Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin" means, for each Pricing Period, --------------------------------- the interest rate margin set forth below (expressed in basis points per annum) opposite the Applicable Pricing Level for that Pricing Period: Applicable Pricing Level Margin --------------- ------ I 65.0 II 90.0 III 115.0 IV 140.0 "Applicable Pricing Level" means (a) for the Pricing Period commencing ------------------------ on the Closing Date and ending on May 15, 1999, Pricing Level I and (b) `for each subsequent Pricing Period, the pricing level set forth below opposite the Funded Debt Ratio as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended prior to the commencement of that Pricing Period: -3- <PAGE> Pricing Level Funded Debt Ratio ------------- ----------------- I Less than 1.00 to 1.00 II Equal to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00, but less than 1.50 to 1.00 III Equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.00, but less than 2.25 to 1.00 IV Equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.00 provided that (i) in the event that Borrower does not deliver a Pricing -------- Certificate with respect to any Pricing Period prior to the commencement of such Pricing Period, then until (but only until) such Pricing Certificate is delivered the Applicable Pricing Level for that Pricing Period shall be the next higher Pricing Level (if there is a higher Pricing Level) and (ii) if any Pricing Certificate is subsequently determined to be in error, then any resulting change in the Applicable Pricing Level shall be made retroactively to the beginning of the relevant Pricing Period. "Applicable Standby Letter of Credit Fee Rate" means, as of any date -------------------------------------------- of determination, the then effective Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin. "Banking Day" means any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or ----------- Friday, other than a day on which banks are authorized or required to be ---------- closed in California, Colorado or New York. "Capital Lease Obligations" means all monetary obligations of a Person ------------------------- under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in accordance with GAAP, is classified as a capital lease. "Cash" means, when used in connection with any Person, all monetary ---- and non-monetary items owned by that Person that are treated as cash in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. "Cash Equivalents" means, when used in connection with any Person, ---------------- that Person's Investments in: (a) Government Securities due within one year after the date of the making of the Investment; -4- <PAGE> (b) readily marketable direct obligations of any State of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such State or any public agency or instrumentality thereof given on the date of such Investment a credit rating of at least Aa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or AA by Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.), in each case due within one year from the making of the Investment; (c) certificates of deposit issued by, bank deposits in, Eurodollar deposits through, bankers' acceptances of, and repurchase agreements covering Government Securities executed by any Lender or any bank incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and having on the date of such Investment combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $250,000,000, or total assets of at least $5,000,000,000, in each case due within one year after the date of the making of the Investment; (d) certificates of deposit issued by, bank deposits in, Eurodollar deposits through, bankers' acceptances of, and repurchase agreements covering Government Securities executed by any Lender or any branch or office located in the United States of America of a bank incorporated under the Laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America having on the date of such Investment combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $500,000,000, or total assets of at least $15,000,000,000, in each case due within one year after the date of the making of the Investment; (e) repurchase agreements covering Government Securities executed by a broker or dealer registered under Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, having on the date of the Investment capital of at least $50,000,000, due within 90 days after the date of the making of the Investment; provided that the maker of the Investment -------- receives written confirmation of the transfer to it of record ownership of the Government Securities on the books of a "primary dealer" in such Government Securities or on the books of such registered broker or dealer, as soon as practicable after the making of the Investment; (f) readily marketable commercial paper or other debt -5- <PAGE> securities issued by corporations doing business in and incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or of any corporation that is the holding company for a bank described in clause (c) - or (d) above given on the date of such Investment a credit rating of at - least P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or A-1 by Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.), in each case due within one year after the date of the making of the Investment; (g) "money market preferred stock" issued by a corporation incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America or any State thereof (i) given on the date of such Investment a credit rating of at least Aa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and AA by Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.), in each case having an investment period not exceeding 50 days or (ii) to the extent that investors therein have the benefit of a standby letter of credit issued by a Lender or a bank described in clauses (c) or (d) above; provided that (y) - - -------- the amount of all such Investments issued by the same issuer does not exceed $5,000,000 and (z) the aggregate amount of all such Investments does not exceed $15,000,000; (h) a readily redeemable "money market mutual fund" sponsored by a bank described in clause (c) or (d) hereof, or a registered broker or - - dealer described in clause (e) hereof, that has and maintains an investment - policy limiting its investments primarily to instruments of the types described in clauses (a) through (g) hereof and given on the date of such - - Investment a credit rating of at least Aa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and AA by Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.); and (i) corporate notes or bonds having an original term to maturity of not more than one year issued by a corporation incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America, or a participation interest therein; provided that (i) commercial paper issued by such corporation is given on -------- the date of such Investment a credit rating of at least Aa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and AA by Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.), (ii) the amount of all such Investments issued by the same issuer does not exceed $5,000,000 and (iii) the aggregate amount of all such Investments does not exceed $15,000,000. -6- <PAGE> "Certificate" means a certificate signed by a Senior Officer or ----------- Responsible Official (as applicable) of the Person providing the certificate. "Change in Control" means (a) any transaction or series of related ----------------- transactions in which any Unrelated Person or two or more Unrelated Persons acting in concert acquire beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3(a)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock, (b) Borrower consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys, transfers or leases its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person or any Person consolidates with or merges into Borrower, in either event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Common Stock is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, with the effect that any Unrelated Person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% or more of Common Stock or that the Persons who were the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the transaction hold less than 50% of the common stock of the surviving corporation after the transaction, (c) during any period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of Borrower (together with any new or replacement directors whose election by the board of directors, or whose nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for reelection was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office or (d) a "change in control" as defined in any document governing Indebtedness of Borrower in excess of $20,000,000 which gives the holders of such Indebtedness the right to accelerate or otherwise require payment or purchase of such Indebtedness prior to the maturity date thereof. For purposes of the foregoing, the term "Unrelated Person" means ---------------- any Person other than (i) an Affiliate of Borrower as of the Closing Date, ----- ---- (ii) an employee stock ownership plan or other employee benefit plan covering the employees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (iii) any of Michael Gilliland, Elizabeth Cook, or Mark R. Clapp (or any of their immediate family members or trusts for the benefit of any of such Persons) or Chase Capital Partners. "Change in Management" means (a) the cessation for any reason of -------------------- Michael Gilliland to be a member of the Board of Directors of Borrower and the -7- <PAGE> failure of Borrower to appoint a successor acceptable to the Requisite Lenders within the sixty (60) day period following such cessation, (b) the cessation for any reason of Michael Gilliland or James W. Lee to hold the office of Chief Executive Officer (or, if there then is no such office or occupant of such office, the office of President) of Borrower and the failure of Borrower to appoint a successor acceptable to the Requisite Lenders within the sixty (60) day period following such cessation or (c) the cessation for any reason of Mary Beth Lewis to hold the office of Chief Financial Officer of Borrower and the failure of Borrower to appoint a successor acceptable to the Requisite Lenders within the sixty (60) day period following such cessation. If any of such individuals ceases to hold the respective office set forth in the preceding sentence, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of the proposed successor as soon as practicable and the Administrative Agent shall (after consultation with the Lenders) promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Banking Days) notify Borrower whether such proposed successor is or is not acceptable to the Requisite Lenders. A determination by the Requisite Lenders that a proposed successor is not acceptable shall be made solely on grounds that are reasonable from the standpoint of a lender to Borrower. If the Administrative Agent has not notified Borrower within ten (10) Banking Days whether a proposed successor is or is not acceptable, then the sixty (60) day period within which the successor must be appointed shall be extended until the date that is five (5) Banking Days after the Administrative Agent so notifies Borrower. "Closing Date" means the time and Banking Day on which the conditions ------------ set forth in Section 8.1 are satisfied or waived. The Administrative Agent --- shall notify Borrower and the Lenders of the date that is the Closing Date. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced ---- and as in effect from time to time. "Commercial Letter of Credit" means each Letter of Credit issued to --------------------------- support the purchase of goods by Borrower which is determined to be a commercial letter of credit by the Issuing Lender. "Commitments" means, collectively, the Line A Commitment and the Line ----------- B Commitment. -8- <PAGE> "Commitments Assignment and Acceptance" means a commitment assignment ------------------------------------- and acceptance substantially in the form of Exhibit A. --------- "Common Stock" means the common stock of Borrower or its successor. ------------ "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B, ---------------------- --------- properly completed and signed by a Senior Officer of Borrower. "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any ---------------------- outstanding security issued by that Person or of any material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound. "Debtor Relief Laws" means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of ------------------ America, as amended from time to time, and all other applicable liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws from time to time in effect affecting the rights of creditors generally. "Default" means any event that, with the giving of any applicable ------- notice or passage of time specified in Section 9.1, or both, would be an --- Event of Default. "Default Rate" means the interest rate prescribed in Section 3.9. ------------ --- "Designated Deposit Account" means a deposit account to be maintained -------------------------- by Borrower with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or one of its Affiliates, as from time to time designated by Borrower by written notification to the Administrative Agent. "Designated Eurodollar Market" means, with respect to any Eurodollar ---------------------------- Rate Loan, the London Eurodollar Market. "Disqualified Stock" means any capital stock, warrants, options or ------------------ other rights to acquire capital stock (but excluding any debt security which is convertible, or exchangeable, for capital stock), which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or -9- <PAGE> upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Maturity Date. "Disposition" means the sale, transfer or other disposition in any ----------- single transaction or series of related transactions of any asset, or group of related assets, of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a) which asset or assets constitute a line of business or substantially all the assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (b) the aggregate amount of the net sales proceeds of such assets is more than $5,000,000, other than (i) inventory ----- ---- or other assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business of Borrower or its Subsidiary and (ii) equipment sold or otherwise disposed of where substantially similar equipment in replacement thereof is acquired within 90 days thereafter by Borrower or its Subsidiary. "Distribution" means, with respect to any shares of capital stock or ------------ any warrant or option to purchase an equity security or other equity security issued by a Person, (a) the retirement, redemption, purchase or other acquisition for Cash or for Property by such Person of any such security, (b) the declaration or (without duplication) payment by such Person of any dividend in Cash or in Property on or with respect to any such security, (c) any Investment by such Person in the holder of 5% or more of any such security if a purpose of such Investment is to avoid characterization of the transaction as a Distribution and (d) any other payment in Cash or Property by such Person constituting a distribution under applicable Laws with respect to such security. "Dollars" or "$" means United States of America dollars. ------- - "EBITDA" means, with respect to any fiscal period, the sum of (a) Net ------ --- -- Income for that period, plus (b) any non-operating non-recurring loss ---- reflected in such Net Income, minus (c) any non-operating non-recurring ----- gain reflected in such Net Income, plus (d) Interest Expense of Borrower ---- and its Subsidiaries for that period, plus (e) the aggregate amount of ---- federal and state taxes on or measured by income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for that period (whether or not payable during that period), plus (f) depreciation, amortization and all other non-cash expenses of ---- Borrower and its Subsidiaries for that period, in -10- <PAGE> each case as determined in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. "EBITDAR" means, with respect to any fiscal period, Adjusted EBITDA ------- for that fiscal period plus Rental Expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries ---- for that fiscal period. "Eligible Assignee" means (a) another Lender, (b) with respect to any ----------------- Lender, any Affiliate of that Lender, (c) any commercial bank having total assets of $5,000,000,000 or more, (d) any (i) savings bank, savings and loan association or similar financial institution or (ii) insurance company engaged in the business of writing insurance which, in either case (A) has total assets of $5,000,000,000 or more, (B) is engaged in the business of lending money and extending credit under credit facilities substantially similar to those extended under this Agreement and (C) is operationally and procedurally able to meet the obligations of a Lender hereunder to the same degree as a commercial bank and (e) any other financial institution (including a mutual fund or other fund) having total assets of --------- $5,000,000,000 or more which meets the requirements set forth in subclauses (B) and (C) of clause (d) above; provided that each Eligible Assignee must -------- either (aa) be organized under the Laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (bb) be organized under the Laws of the Cayman Islands or any country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or a political subdivision of such a country, and (i) act hereunder through a branch, agency or funding office located in the United States of America and (ii) be exempt from withholding of tax on interest and deliver the documents related thereto pursuant to Section 11.21. ----- "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and ----- any regulations issued pursuant thereto, as amended or replaced and as in effect from time to time. "ERISA Affiliate" means each Person (whether or not incorporated) --------------- which is required to be aggregated with Borrower pursuant to Section 414 of the Code. "Eurodollar Banking Day" means any Banking Day on which dealings in ---------------------- Dollar deposits are conducted by and among banks in the Designated Eurodollar -11- <PAGE> Market. "Eurodollar Base Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate -------------------- Loan, the average of the interest rates per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) at which deposits in Dollars are offered to banks in the Designated Eurodollar Market as shown on Telerate Page 3750, which is the British Bankers' Association's coverage of interbank offered rates for Dollar Deposits in London based on quotations of sixteen (16) major banks, at or about 11:00 a.m. local time in the Designated Eurodollar Market, two (2) Eurodollar Banking Days before the first day of the applicable Eurodollar Period in an aggregate amount approximately equal to the amount of the Advance to be made by the Administrative Agent with respect to such Eurodollar Rate Loan and for a period of time comparable to the number of days in the applicable Eurodollar Period. "Eurodollar Lending Office" means, as to each Lender, its office or ------------------------- branch so designated by written notice to Borrower and the Administrative Agent as its Eurodollar Lending Office. If no Eurodollar Lending Office is designated by a Lender, its Eurodollar Lending Office shall be its office at its address for purposes of notices hereunder. "Eurodollar Market" means a regular established market located outside ----------------- the United States of America by and among banks for the solicitation, offer and acceptance of Dollar deposits in such banks. "Eurodollar Obligations" means eurocurrency liabilities, as defined in ---------------------- Regulation D or any comparable regulation of any Governmental Agency having jurisdiction over any Lender. "Eurodollar Period" means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period ----------------- commencing on the date specified by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(c) and ------ ending 1, 2, 3 or 6 months (or, with the written consent of all of the Lenders, any other period) thereafter, as specified by Borrower in the applicable Request for Loan; provided that: -------- (a) The first day of any Eurodollar Period shall be a Eurodollar Banking Day; -12- <PAGE> (b) Any Eurodollar Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Banking Day shall be extended to the immediately succeeding Eurodollar Banking Day unless such Eurodollar Banking Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Eurodollar Period shall end on the immediately preceding Eurodollar Banking Day; (c) No Eurodollar Period with respect to a Line A Loan shall extend beyond the Line A Maturity Date; and (d) No Eurodollar Period with respect to a Line B Loan shall extend beyond the Line B Maturity Date. "Eurodollar Rate" means, as of any date of determination, the rate of --------------- interest per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) determined as follow: Eurodollar Base Rate -------------------- 1.00 minus Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ----- "Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an Advance made hereunder and ----------------------- specified to be a Eurodollar Rate Advance in accordance with Article 2. --------- "Eurodollar Rate Loan" means a Loan made hereunder and specified to be -------------------- a Eurodollar Rate Loan in accordance with Article 2. --------- "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, as of any date of ----------------------------- determination, the maximum reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on such day (whether or not applicable to any Lender) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other --------- marginal reserve requirement) with respect to "eurocurrency liabilities". "Event of Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.1. ---------------- --- "Federal Funds Rate" means, as of any date of determination, the rate ------------------ set -13- <PAGE> forth in the weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Board (including any such successor, "H.15(519)") for such date opposite the caption "Federal Funds (Effective)". If for any relevant date such rate is not yet published in H.15(519), the rate for such date will be the rate set forth in the daily statistical release designated as the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities, or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including any such successor, the "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotation") for such date under the caption "Federal Funds Effective Rate". If on any relevant date the appropriate rate for such date is not yet published in either H.15(519) or the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations, the rate for such date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that date by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Administrative Agent. For purposes of this Agreement, any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective date of such change. "Fiscal Quarter" means the fiscal quarter of Borrower consisting of 13 -------------- or 14 weeks ending on or about each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of Borrower consisting of 52 or 53 ----------- weeks ending on the Saturday nearest each December 31. "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any Fiscal --------------------------- Quarter, the ratio of (a) EBITDAR for the fiscal period consisting of the -------- four (4) Fiscal Quarters ended on that date to (b) the sum of (i) Interest -- ------ Expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal period plus (ii) ---- Rental Expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal period. "Funded Debt Ratio" means, as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, ----------------- the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) all Indebtedness of Borrower and its -------- ------ Subsidiaries on that date other than Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes ---------- plus (ii) the average daily balance of Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes ---- for the thirty (30) day period ended on that date plus (iii) the Aggregate ---- Effective Amount of all -14- <PAGE> Standby Letters of Credit outstanding on that date to (b) the sum of (i) -- ------ Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal period consisting of the four (4) Fiscal Quarters ended on that date plus (ii) Proforma EBITDA with respect to an ---- Acquired Company for that portion of such fiscal period prior to the Acquisition of that Acquired Company. "GAAP" means, as of any date of determination, accounting principles ---- (a) set forth as generally accepted in then currently effective Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (b) set forth as generally accepted in then currently effective Statements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or (c) that are then approved by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States of America. The term "consistently applied," as used in connection therewith, -------------------- means that the accounting principles applied are consistent in all material respects with those applied at prior dates or for prior periods. "Government Securities" means readily marketable (a) direct full faith --------------------- and credit obligations of the United States of America or obligations guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America and (b) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of, or corporation owned, controlled or sponsored by, the United States of America that are generally considered in the securities industry to be implicit obligations of the United States of America. "Governmental Agency" means (a) any international, foreign, federal, ------------------- state, county or municipal government, or political subdivision thereof, (b) any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, instrumentality or public body or (c) any court or administrative tribunal of competent jurisdiction. "Guaranty Obligation" means, as to any Person, any (a) guarantee by ------------------- that Person of Indebtedness of, or other obligation performable by, any other Person or (b) assurance given by that Person to an obligee of any other Person with respect to the performance of an obligation by, or the financial condition of, such other Person, whether direct, indirect or contingent, including any purchase or repurchase agreement covering such --------- obligation or any collateral security therefor, any agreement to provide funds (by means of loans, capital -15- <PAGE> contributions or otherwise) to such other Person, any agreement to support the solvency or level of any balance sheet item of such other Person or any "keep-well" or other arrangement of whatever nature given for the purpose of assuring or holding harmless such obligee against loss with respect to any obligation of such other Person; provided, however, that the term -------- ------- Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation in respect of Indebtedness shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related Indebtedness (unless the Guaranty Obligation is limited by its terms to a lesser amount, in which case to the extent of such amount) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Person in good faith. The amount of any other Guaranty Obligation shall be deemed to be zero unless and until the amount thereof has been (or in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 5 should be) quantified and reflected or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements (or notes thereto) of Borrower. "Hazardous Materials" means substances defined as "hazardous ------------------- substances" pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. (S) 9601 et seq., or as "hazardous", "toxic" or "pollutant" substances or as "solid waste" pursuant to the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. (S) 1801, et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. (S) 6901, et seq., or as "friable asbestos" pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. (S) 2601 et seq. or any other applicable Hazardous Materials Law, in each case as such Laws are amended from time to time. "Hazardous Materials Laws" means all Laws governing the treatment, ------------------------ transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials applicable to any of the Real Property. "Inactive Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of Borrower that (a) is not ------------------- engaged in any active or passive business and (b) holds total assets of $100,000 or less. "Indebtedness" means, as to any Person (without duplication), ------------ -16- <PAGE> (a) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of Property (excluding trade and other accounts payable in --------- the ordinary course of business in accordance with ordinary trade terms), including any Guaranty Obligation for any such indebtedness, (b) --------- indebtedness of such Person of the nature described in clause (a) that is - non-recourse to the credit of such Person but is secured by assets of such Person, to the extent of the fair market value of such assets as determined in good faith by such Person, (c) Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (d) indebtedness of such Person arising under bankers' acceptance facilities or under facilities for the discount of accounts receivable of such Person, (e) any direct or contingent obligations of such Person under letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and (f) any net obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Protection Agreements. "Insolvent" means, with respect to a Person, that the Person (a) has, --------- at a "fair valuation", liabilities (including contingent, unmatured, --------- disputed, legal, equitable, secured and unsecured liabilities) in excess of its assets, (b) is generally not paying its debts when due, (c) does not have, based on reasonable projections at the time, sufficient cash flow to pay its debts as they mature, (d) has "unreasonably small capital" for the business in which it is engaged or (e) is "insolvent." Terms in quotation marks in this definition are used with the meanings therefor under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. "Intangible Assets" means assets that are considered intangible assets ----------------- under GAAP, including customer lists, goodwill, covenants not to compete, --------- copyrights, trade names, trademarks and patents. "Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person and as of the ---------------- last day of any fiscal period, the sum of (a) all interest, fees, charges ------ and related expenses paid or payable (without duplication) for that fiscal period by that Person to a lender in connection with borrowed money (including any obligations for fees, charges and related expenses payable ---------- to the issuer of any letter of credit) or the deferred purchase price of assets that are considered "interest expense" under GAAP plus (b) the ---- portion of rent paid or payable (without duplication) for that fiscal period by that Person under Capital Lease Obligations that should be treated as interest in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 13. -17- <PAGE> "Interest Rate Protection Agreement" means a written agreement between ---------------------------------- Borrower and one or more financial institutions providing for "swap", "cap", "collar" or other interest rate protection with respect to any Indebtedness. "Investment" means, when used in connection with any Person, any ---------- investment by or of that Person, whether by means of purchase or other acquisition of stock or other securities of any other Person or by means of a loan, advance creating a debt (excluding trade and other advances made in --------- the ordinary course of business in accordance with ordinary trade terms), capital contribution, guaranty or other debt or equity participation or interest in any other Person, including any partnership and joint venture --------- interests of such Person. The amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested (minus any return of capital with respect to such ----- Investment which has actually been received in Cash or has been converted into Cash), without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment. "Issuing Lender" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. -------------- "Laws" means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state ---- and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents. "Lead Arranger" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. ------------- "Lender" means each lender whose name is set forth in the signature ------ pages of this Agreement and each lender which may hereafter become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.8. ---- "Letters of Credit" means any of the Commercial Letters of Credit or ----------------- Standby Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender under the Line A Commitment pursuant to Section 2.4, either as originally issued or as the --- same may be supplemented, modified, amended, renewed, extended or supplanted. "Lien" means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, ---- assignment for security, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind, whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of Law or otherwise, -18- <PAGE> affecting any Property, including any conditional sale or other title --------- retention agreement, any lease in the nature of a security interest, and/or the filing of any financing statement (other than a precautionary financing ----- ---- statement with respect to a lease that is not in the nature of a security interest) under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable Law of any jurisdiction with respect to any Property. "Line A Commitment" means, subject to Sections 2.5 and 2.6, ----------------- --- --- $55,000,000. The respective Pro Rata Shares of the Lenders with respect to the Line A Commitment are set forth in Schedule 1.1. ------------ "Line A Loan" means a Loan under the Line A Commitment. ----------- "Line A Maturity Date" means March 2, 2002. -------------------- "Line A Note" means any of the promissory notes made by Borrower to a ----------- Lender evidencing Advances under that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment substantially in the form of Exhibit C, either as originally --------- executed or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, renewed, extended or supplanted. "Line B Commitment" means, subject to Sections 2.5 and 2.6, ----------------- --- --- $25,000,000. The respective Pro Rata Shares of the Lenders with respect to the Line B Commitment are set forth in Schedule 1.1. ------------ "Line B Loan" means a Loan under the Line B Commitment. ----------- "Line B Maturity Date" means March 1, 2000. -------------------- "Line B Note" means any of the promissory notes made by Borrower to a ----------- Lender evidencing Advances under that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Line B Commitment substantially in the form of Exhibit D, either as originally --------- executed or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, renewed, extended or supplanted. "Loan" means the aggregate of the Advances made at any one time by the ---- Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1. --- -19- <PAGE> "Loan Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the -------------- Subsidiary Guaranty and any other agreements of any type or nature hereafter executed and delivered by Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender in any way relating to or in furtherance of this Agreement, in each case either as originally executed or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, restated, extended or supplanted. "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in ------------ Regulation U. "Material Adverse Effect" means any set of circumstances or events ----------------------- which (a) has had or could reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document, (b) has been or could reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (c) has materially impaired or could reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of Borrower to perform the Obligations; provided that any event or circumstance caused -------- by or resulting from the failure of a Lender to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not be deemed a Material Adverse Effect. "Multiemployer Plan" means any employee benefit plan of the type ------------------ described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates contributes or is obligated to contribute. "Negative Pledge" means a Contractual Obligation which contains a --------------- covenant binding on Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that prohibits Liens on any of its Property, other than (a) any such covenant contained in ----- ---- a Contractual Obligation granting or relating to a particular Lien which affects only the Property that is the subject of such Lien, (b) any such covenant contained in a Contractual Obligation relating to a particular Property which affects only such Property and (c) any such covenant that does not apply to Liens securing the Obligations. "Net Income" means, with respect to any fiscal period, the ---------- consolidated -20- <PAGE> net income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for that period, determined in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. "Notes" means, collectively, the Line A Notes and the Line B Notes. ----- "Obligations" means all present and future obligations of every kind ----------- or nature of Borrower at any time and from time to time owed to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or any one or more of them, under any one or more of the Loan Documents, whether due or to become due, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, or contingent or noncontingent, including obligations of performance as well as obligations of payment, and --------- including interest that accrues after the commencement of any proceeding --------- under any Debtor Relief Law by or against Borrower. "Opinion of Counsel" means the favorable written legal opinion of ------------------ Freya R. Brier, general counsel to Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, together with copies of all factual certificates and legal --------- opinions delivered to such counsel in connection with such opinion upon which such counsel has relied. "Party" means any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the ----- Lenders, which now or hereafter is a party to any of the Loan Documents. "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor ---- thereof established under ERISA. "Pension Plan" means any "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term ------------ is defined in Section 3(20 of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, ---------- which is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is maintained by Borrower or to which Borrower contributes or has an obligation to contribute. "Permitted Encumbrances" means: ---------------------- (a) Inchoate Liens incident to construction on or maintenance of Property; or Liens incident to construction on or maintenance of Property now or hereafter filed of record for which adequate reserves have been set aside as may be required by GAAP (or deposits made -21- <PAGE> pursuant to applicable Law) and which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and have not proceeded to judgment, provided that, by reason of nonpayment of the obligations secured by -------- such Liens, no such Property is subject to a material impending risk of loss or forfeiture; (b) Liens for taxes and assessments on Property which are not yet past due; or Liens for taxes and assessments on Property for which adequate reserves have been set aside as may be required by GAAP and are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and have not proceeded to judgment, provided that, by reason of nonpayment of -------- the obligations secured by such Liens, no such Property is subject to a material impending risk of loss or forfeiture; (c) defects and irregularities in title to any Property which in the aggregate do not materially impair the fair market value or use of the Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held; (d) easements, exceptions, reservations, or other agreements for the purpose of pipelines, conduits, cables, wire communication lines, power lines and substations, streets, trails, walkways, drainage, irrigation, water, and sewerage purposes, dikes, canals, ditches, the removal of oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, and other like purposes affecting Property which in the aggregate do not materially burden or impair the fair market value or use of such Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held; (e) easements, exceptions, reservations, or other agreements for the purpose of facilitating the joint or common use of Property in or adjacent to a shopping center or similar project affecting Property which in the aggregate do not materially burden or impair the fair market value or use of such Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held; (f) rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Agency to control or regulate, or obligations or duties to any Governmental Agency -22- <PAGE> with respect to, the use of any Property; (g) rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Agency to control or regulate, or obligations or duties to any Governmental Agency with respect to, any right, power, franchise, grant, license, or permit; (h) present or future zoning laws and ordinances or other laws and ordinances restricting the occupancy, use, or enjoyment of Property; (i) statutory Liens, other than those described in clauses (a) - or (b) above, arising in the ordinary course of business with respect - to obligations which are not delinquent or are being contested in good faith, provided that, if delinquent, adequate reserves have been set -------- aside with respect thereto as may be required by GAAP and, by reason of nonpayment, no Property is subject to a material impending risk of loss or forfeiture; (j) covenants, conditions, and restrictions affecting the use of Property which in the aggregate do not materially impair the fair market value or use of the Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held; (k) rights of tenants under leases and rental agreements covering Property entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Person owning such Property; (l) Liens consisting of pledges or deposits to secure obligations under workers' compensation laws or similar legislation, including Liens of judgments thereunder which are not currently dischargeable; (m) Liens consisting of pledges or deposits of Property to secure performance in connection with operating leases made in the ordinary course of business, provided the aggregate value of all such -------- pledges and deposits in connection with all such leases does not at any time exceed 20% of the annual fixed rentals payable under all such leases; -23- <PAGE> (n) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure bids made with respect to, or performance of, contracts (other than contracts ----- ---- creating or evidencing an extension of credit to the depositor); (o) Liens consisting of any right of offset, or statutory bankers' lien, on bank deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business so long as such bank deposit accounts are not established or maintained for the purpose of providing such right of offset or bankers' lien; (p) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure statutory obligations of Borrower; (q) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure (or in lieu of) surety, appeal or customs bonds; (r) Liens created by or resulting from any litigation or legal proceeding in the ordinary course of business which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that, -------- adequate reserves have been set aside as may be required by GAAP and no material Property is subject to a material impending risk of loss or forfeiture; and (s) other non-consensual Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business but not in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, which do not in the aggregate, when taken together with all other Liens, materially impair the fair market value or use of the Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held. "Permitted Right of Others" means a Right of Others consisting of (a) ------------------------- an interest (other than a legal or equitable co-ownership interest, an ----- ---- option or right to acquire a legal or equitable co-ownership interest and any interest of a ground lessor under a ground lease), that does not materially impair the fair market value or use of Property for the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be held, (b) an option or right to acquire a Lien that would be a -24- <PAGE> Permitted Encumbrance, (c) the subordination of a lease or sublease in favor of a financing entity and (d) a license, or similar right, of or to Intangible Assets granted in the ordinary course of business. "Person" means any individual or entity, including a trustee, ------ --------- corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture, Governmental Agency, or other entity. "Pricing Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Exhibit F, ------------------- --------- properly completed and signed by a Senior Officer of Borrower. "Pricing Period" means (a) the period commencing on the Closing Date -------------- and ending on May 15, 1999, (b) the period commencing on May 16, 1999, and each subsequent May 16, and ending on the next following August 15, (c) the period commencing on each August 16 and ending on the next following November 15, (d) the period commencing on each November 16 and ending on the next following February 15 and (e) the period commencing on each February 16 and ending on the next following May 15. "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest publicly announced from time ---------- to time by the Administrative Agent in San Francisco, California (or other headquarters city of the Administrative Agent), as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is one of several base rates used by the Administrative Agent and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for loans and other credits making reference thereto. The "prime rate" is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as the Administrative Agent may designate. Any change in the Prime Rate announced by the Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change. "Prior Credit Facility" means that certain Credit Agreement dated as --------------------- of April 15, 1997 among Borrower, Bank One, Indiana, N.A., as agent, and the lenders party thereto. "Proforma EBITDA" means with respect to an Acquired Company and --------------- -25- <PAGE> with respect to any fiscal period, the earnings before taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization of that Acquired Company (determined in conformity with the definition of "EBITDA") for that fiscal period adjusted -------- to exclude as an expense any expense item that has been eliminated and not replaced as a result of the Acquisition (excluding expense reductions --------- attributable to general increases in efficiency, scale of operations, etc.). "Projections" means the projected financial information dated February ----------- 4, 1999 prepared by Borrower and furnished to the Lenders. "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, -------- whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible. "Pro Rata Share" means, with respect to each Lender, the percentage of -------------- the Commitments set forth opposite the name of that Lender on Schedule 1.1, ------------ as such percentage may be increased or decreased pursuant to a Commitments Assignment and Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 11.8. ---- "Quarterly Payment Date" means the last Banking Day of each calendar ---------------------- quarter. "Real Property" means, as of any date of determination, all real ------------- property then or theretofore owned, leased or occupied by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. "Regulation D" means Regulation D, as at any time amended, of the ------------ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any other regulation in substance substituted therefor. "Regulation U" means Regulation U, as at any time amended, of the ------------ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any other regulation in substance substituted therefor. "Rental Expense" means, with respect to any Person and as of the last -------------- day of any fiscal period, the aggregate amount paid or payable (without duplication) for that fiscal period by that Person to a lessor or renter of Property as lease payments or rent (excluding rent under Capital Lease --------- Obligations that is -26- <PAGE> treated as Interest Expense) in accordance with GAAP. "Request for Letter of Credit" means a written request for a Letter of ---------------------------- Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit G, signed by a Responsible --------- Official of Borrower and properly completed to provide all information required to be included therein. "Request for Loan" means a written request for a Loan substantially in ---------------- the form of Exhibit H, signed by a Responsible Official of Borrower, on --------- behalf of Borrower, and properly completed to provide all information required to be included therein. "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the articles or ------------------ certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any Law, or judgment, award, decree, writ or determination of a Governmental Agency, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to which such Person or any of its Property is subject. "Requisite Lenders" means (a) as of any date of determination if the ----------------- Commitments are then in effect, two (2) or more Lenders having in the aggregate 66-2/3% or more of the Commitments then in effect and (b) as of any date of determination if the Commitments have then been suspended or terminated and there is then any Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes, two (2) or more Lenders holding Notes evidencing in the aggregate 66-2/3% or more of the aggregate Indebtedness then evidenced by the Notes. "Responsible Official" means (a) any Senior Officer of Borrower and -------------------- (b) any other responsible official of Borrower so designated in a written notice thereof from a Senior Officer to the Administrative Agent. The Lenders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any document or certificate that is signed or executed by a Responsible Official of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as having been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of Borrower or such Subsidiary. "Right of Others" means, as to any Property in which a Person has an --------------- interest, any legal or equitable right, title or other interest (other than a Lien) held by any other Person in that Property, and any option or right held by any other Person to acquire any such right, title or other interest in that Property, -27- <PAGE> including any option or right to acquire a Lien; provided, however, that --------- -------- (a) no covenant restricting the use or disposition of Property of such Person contained in any Contractual Obligation of such Person and (b) no provision contained in a contract creating a right of payment or performance in favor of a Person that conditions, limits, restricts, diminishes, transfers or terminates such right shall be deemed to constitute a Right of Others. "Senior Officer" means (a) the chief executive officer, (b) the -------------- president, (c) the general counsel, (d) the chief financial officer, (e) the treasurer or (f) the controller, in each case of Borrower. "Special Eurodollar Circumstance" means the application or adoption ------------------------------- after the Closing Date of any Law or interpretation, or any change therein or thereof, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Agency, central bank or comparable authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) of any such Governmental Agency, central bank or comparable authority. "Standby Letter of Credit" means each Letter of Credit that is not a ------------------------ Commercial Letter of Credit. "Stockholders' Equity" means, as of any date of determination and with -------------------- respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders' equity of the Person as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that there -------- shall be excluded from Stockholders' Equity any amount attributable to Disqualified Stock. "Subsidiary" means, as of any date of determination and with respect ---------- to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company or partnership (whether or not, in any case, characterized as such or as a "joint venture"), whether now existing or hereafter organized or acquired: (a) in the case of a corporation or limited liability company, of which a majority of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned by such Person and/or one or more -28- <PAGE> Subsidiaries of such Person, or (b) in the case of a partnership, of which a majority of the partnership or other ownership interests are at the time beneficially owned by such Person and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries. "Subsidiary Guarantors" means each Subsidiary of Borrower other than --------------------- ----- ---- Inactive Subsidiaries. "Subsidiary Guaranty" means the continuing guaranty of the Obligations ------------------- to be executed and delivered pursuant to Section 8.1 by the Subsidiary --- Guarantors, in the form of Exhibit I, either as originally executed or as --------- it may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, extended or supplanted. "Swing Line" means the revolving line of credit established by the ---------- Swing Line Bank in favor of Borrower pursuant to Section 2.8. --- "Swing Line Documents" means the promissory note and any other -------------------- documents executed by Borrower in favor of the Swing Line Lender in connection with the Swing Line. "Swing Line Lender" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. ----------------- "Swing Line Loans" means loans made by the Swing Line Lender to ---------------- Borrower pursuant to Section 2.8. --- "Swing Line Outstandings" means, as of any date of determination, the ----------------------- aggregate principal Indebtedness of Borrower on all Swing Line Loans then outstanding. "to the best knowledge of" means, when modifying a representation, ------------------------ warranty or other statement of any Person, that the fact or situation described therein is known by the Person (or, in the case of a Person other than a natural Person, known by a Responsible Official of that Person) making the representation, warranty or other statement, or with the exercise of reasonable due diligence under the circumstances (in accordance with the standard of what a reasonable Person in similar circumstances would have done) would have been known by the Person (or, in the case of a Person other than a natural Person, would have been known by a Responsible Official of that Person). -29- <PAGE> "type", when used with respect to any Loan or Advance, means the ---- designation of whether such Loan or Advance is an Alternate Base Rate Loan or Advance, or a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Advance. "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of Borrower, 10)% of the ----------------------- capital stock or other equity interest of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Borrower, except for director's qualifying shares required ------ by applicable Laws. 1.2 Use of Defined Terms. Any defined term used in the plural shall -------------------- refer to all members of the relevant class, and any defined term used in the singular shall refer to any one or more of the members of the relevant class. 1.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined ---------------- in this Agreement shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data required to be submitted by this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise specifically prescribed ------ herein. In the event that GAAP changes during the term of this Agreement such that the covenants contained in Sections 6.11 through 6.13, inclusive, would ---- ---- then be calculated in a different manner or with different components, (a) Borrower and the Lenders agree to amend this Agreement in such respects as are necessary to conform those covenants as criteria for evaluating Borrower's financial condition to substantially the same criteria as were effective prior to such change in GAAP and (b) Borrower shall be deemed to be in compliance with the covenants contained in the aforesaid Sections if and to the extent that Borrower would have been in compliance therewith under GAAP as in effect immediately prior to such change, but shall have the obligation to deliver each of the materials described in Article 7 to the Administrative Agent and the --------- Lenders, on the dates therein specified, with financial data presented in a manner which conforms with GAAP as in effect immediately prior to such change. 1.4 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by -------- Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a round-up if there is no nearest number) to the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement. -30- <PAGE> 1.5 Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules to this ---------------------- Agreement, either as originally existing or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified or amended, are incorporated herein by this reference. A matter disclosed on any Schedule shall be deemed disclosed on all Schedules. 1.6 References to "Borrower and its Subsidiaries". Any reference -------------------------------------------- herein to "Borrower and its Subsidiaries" or the like shall refer solely to Borrower during such times, if any, as Borrower shall have no Subsidiaries. 1.7 Miscellaneous Terms. The term "or" is disjunctive; the term ------------------- "and" is conjunctive. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive. Masculine terms also apply to females; feminine terms also apply to males. The term "including" is by way of example and not limitation. Article 2 LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT --------------------------- 2.1 Loans-General. ------------- (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, at any time and from time to time from the Closing Date through the Line A Maturity Date, each Lender shall, pro rata according to that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the then applicable Line A Commitment, make Advances to Borrower under the Line A Commitment in such amounts as Borrower may request that do not result in the sum of (i) the aggregate ------ principal amount outstanding under the Line A Notes plus (ii) the Aggregate ---- Effective Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus (iii) the Swing ---- Line Outstandings to exceed the Line A Commitment. Subject to the limitations set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under the Line A Commitment without premium or penalty. (b) Subject to the terms and conditions (including Section 8.2) --------- --- set forth in this Agreement, at any time and from time to time from the Closing Date through the Line B Maturity Date, each Lender shall, pro rata according to that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the then applicable Line B Commitment, make Advances to Borrower under the Line B Commitment in such amounts as -31- <PAGE> Borrower may request that do not result in the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Line B Notes to exceed the Line B Commitment. Subject to the limitations set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under the Line B Commitment without premium or penalty. (c) Subject to the next sentence, each Loan shall be made pursuant to a Request for Loan which shall specify the requested (i) date of such Loan, (ii) type of Loan, (iii) amount of such Loan and (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Eurodollar Period for such Loan. Unless the Administrative Agent has notified, in its sole and absolute discretion, Borrower to the contrary, a Loan may be requested by telephone by a Responsible Official of Borrower, in which case Borrower shall confirm such request by promptly delivering a Request for Loan (conforming to the preceding sentence) in person or by telecopier or electronic mail to the Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall incur no liability whatsoever hereunder in acting upon any telephonic request for Loan purportedly made by a Responsible Official of Borrower, and Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent from any loss, cost, expense or liability as a result of so acting. (d) Promptly following receipt of a Request for Loan, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender by telephone, telecopier or electronic mail (and if by telephone, promptly confirmed by telecopier or electronic mail) of the date and type of the Loan, the applicable Eurodollar Period and that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Loan. Not later than 10:00 a.m., California time, on the date specified for any Loan (which must be a Banking Day), each Lender shall make its Pro Rata Share of the Loan in immediately available funds available to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the applicable conditions set forth in Article 8, all Advances shall be --------- credited on that date in immediately available funds to the Designated Deposit Account. (e) Unless the Requisite Lenders otherwise consent, each Alternate Base Rate Loan shall be not less than $500,000 and in an integral multiple of $100,000 and each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be not less than $1,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $100,000. (f) Notwithstanding Section 2.1(c), during the period commencing ------ on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (i) six (6) months ------- -- -32- <PAGE> after the Closing Date or (ii) the completion of the syndication process referred to in Section 5.13, Borrower may not request a Eurodollar Rate ---- Loan with a Eurodollar Period longer than one (1) month. (g) The Advances made by each Lender under the Line A Commitment shall be evidenced by that Lender's Line A Note. The Advances made by each Lender under the Line B Commitment shall be evidenced by that Lender's Line B Note. (h) A Request for Loan shall be irrevocable upon the Administrative Agent's first notification thereof. (i) If no Request for Loan (or telephonic request for Loan referred to in the second sentence of Section 2.1(c), if applicable) has ------ been made within the requisite notice periods set forth in Section 2.2 or --- 2.3 prior to the end of the Eurodollar Period for any outstanding --- Eurodollar Rate Loan, then on the last day of such Eurodollar Period, such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be automatically converted into an Alternate Base Rate Loan in the same amount. 2.2 Alternate Base Rate Loans. Each request by Borrower for an ------------------------- Alternate Base Rate Loan shall be made pursuant to a Request for Loan (or telephonic or other request for loan referred to in the second sentence of Section 2.1(c), if applicable) received by the Administrative Agent, at the ------ Administrative Agent's Office, not later than 9:)) a.m. California time, on the date (which must be a Banking Day) immediately prior to the date of the requested Alternate Base Rate Loan. All Loans shall constitute Alternate Base Rate Loans unless properly designated as a Eurodollar Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.3. --- 2.3 Eurodollar Rate Loans. --------------------- (a) Each request by Borrower for a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made pursuant to a Request for Loan (or telephonic or other request for Loan referred to in the second sentence of Section 2.1(c), if applicable) ------ received by the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's Office, not later than 9:)) a.m., California time, at least three (3) Eurodollar Banking Days before the first day of the applicable Eurodollar Period. -33- <PAGE> (b) On the date which is two (2) Eurodollar Banking Days before the first day of the applicable Eurodollar Period, the Administrative Agent shall confirm its determination of the applicable Eurodollar Rate (which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error) and promptly shall give notice of the same to Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopier or electronic mail (and if by telephone, promptly confirmed by telecopier or electronic mail). (c) Unless the Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders otherwise consent, no more than five (5) Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be outstanding at any one time. (d) No Eurodollar Rate Loan may be requested during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default. (e) Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to fund any Eurodollar Rate Advance in the Designated Eurodollar Market. 2.4 Letters of Credit. ----------------- (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time and from time to time from the Closing Date through the Line A Maturity Date, the Issuing Lender shall issue such Letters of Credit under the Line A Commitment as Borrower may request by a Request for Letter of Credit; provided that (i) giving effect to all such Letters of Credit, the sum of -------- --- (A) the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Line A Notes plus ---- (B) the Aggregate Effective Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, plus (C) the Swing Line Outstandings, does not exceed the then applicable ---- Line A Commitment and (ii) the Aggregate Effective Amount under all outstanding Letters of Credit does not exceed $10,000,000. Each Letter of Credit shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Lender. Unless all the Lenders otherwise consent in a writing delivered to the Administrative Agent, the term of any Standby Letter of Credit shall not exceed one (1) year or extend beyond the Line A Maturity Date and the term of any Commercial Letter of Credit shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or extend beyond the Line A Maturity Date. (b) Each Request for Letter of Credit shall be submitted to the -34- <PAGE> Issuing Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, at least three (3) Banking Days prior to the date upon which the related Letter of Credit is proposed to be issued. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Issuing Lender whether such Request for Letter of Credit, and the issuance of a Letter of Credit pursuant thereto, conforms to the requirements of this Agreement. Upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders, of the amount and terms thereof. (c) Upon the issuance of a Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to have purchased a pro rata participation in such Letter of Credit from the Issuing Lender in an amount equal to that Lender's Pro Rata Share. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender's participation in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed by Borrower for any payment required to be made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, each Lender shall, pro rata according to its Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment, reimburse the Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for the amount of such payment. The obligation of each Lender to so reimburse the Issuing Lender shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of an Event of Default or any other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit together with interest as hereinafter provided. (d) Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent an amount equal to any payment made by the Issuing Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit within one (1) Banking Day after demand made by the Issuing Lender therefor, together with interest on such amount from the date of any payment made by the Issuing Lender at the rate applicable to Alternate Base Rate Loans for two (2) Banking Days and thereafter at the Default Rate. The principal amount of any such payment shall be used to reimburse the Issuing Lender for the payment made by it under the Letter of Credit and, to the extent that the Lenders have not reimbursed the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(c), the interest ------ amount of any such payment shall be for the account of the Issuing Lender. Each Lender that has reimbursed the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(c) for its Pro Rata Share ------ -35- <PAGE> of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit shall thereupon acquire a pro rata participation, to the extent of such reimbursement, in the claim of the Issuing Lender against Borrower for reimbursement of principal and interest under this Section 2.4(d) and shall ------ share, in accordance with that pro rata participation, in any principal payment made by Borrower with respect to such claim and in any interest payment made by Borrower (but only with respect to periods subsequent to the date such Lender reimbursed the Issuing Lender) with respect to such claim. (e) Borrower may, pursuant to a Request for Loan, request that Advances be made pursuant to Section 2.1(a) to provide funds for the ------ payment required by Section 2.4(d). The proceeds of such Advances shall be ------ paid directly to the Issuing Lender to reimburse it for the payment made by it under the Letter of Credit. (f) If Borrower fails to make the payment required by Section 2.4(d) within the time period therein set forth, in lieu of the ------ reimbursement to the Issuing Lender under Section 2.4(c) the Issuing Lender ------ may (but is not required to), without notice to or the consent of Borrower, instruct the Administrative Agent to cause Alternate Base Rate Advances to be made by the Lenders under the Line A Commitment in an aggregate amount equal to the amount paid by the Issuing Lender with respect to that Letter of Credit. The proceeds of such Alternate Base Rate Advances shall be paid directly to the Issuing Lender to reimburse it for the payment made by it under the Letter of Credit. (g) The issuance of any supplement, modification, amendment, renewal, or extension to or of any Letter of Credit shall be treated in all respects the same as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit. (h) The obligation of Borrower to pay to the Issuing Lender the amount of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable, subject only to performance by the Issuing Lender of its obligations to Borrower under Uniform Commercial Code Section 5108. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower's obligations shall not be affected by any of the following circumstances: -36- <PAGE> (i) any lack of validity or enforceability prior to its stated expiration date of the Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto, with the consent of Borrower; (iii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense, or other rights which Borrower may have at any time against the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any beneficiary of the Letter of Credit (or any persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary may be acting) or any other Person, whether in connection with the Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transactions; (iv) any demand, statement, or any other document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever so long as any such document appeared substantially to comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit; (v) the existence, character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of any Property purported to be represented by documents presented in connection with any Letter of Credit or any difference between any such Property and the character, quality, quantity, condition, or value of such Property as described in such documents; (vi) the time, place, manner, order or contents of shipments or deliveries of Property as described in documents presented in connection with any Letter of Credit or the existence, nature and extent of any insurance relative thereto; (vii) the solvency or financial responsibility of any party issuing any documents in connection with a Letter of Credit; -37- <PAGE> (viii) any failure or delay in notice of shipments or arrival of any Property; (ix) any error in the transmission of any message relating to a Letter of Credit not caused by the Issuing Lender, or any delay or interruption in any such message; (x) any error, neglect or default of any correspondent of the Issuing Lender in connection with a Letter of Credit; (xi) any consequence arising from acts of God, war, insurrection, civil unrest, disturbances, labor disputes, emergency conditions or other causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lender; and (xii) so long as the Issuing Lender in good faith and in conformity with customary standards of care in the banking industry determines that the contract or document appears substantially to comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit, the form, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any contract or document referred to in any document submitted to the Issuing Lender in connection with a Letter of Credit. (i) The Issuing Lender shall be entitled to the protection accorded to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1).6, mutatis ---- ------- mutandis. -------- (j) The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as published in its most current version by the International Chamber of Commerce, shall be deemed a part of this Section and shall apply to all Letters of Credit. 2.5 Voluntary Reduction of Commitments. Borrower shall have the ---------------------------------- right, at any time and from time to time, without penalty or charge, upon at least five (5) Banking Days' prior written notice by a Responsible Official of Borrower to the Administrative Agent, voluntarily to reduce, permanently and irrevocably, in aggregate principal amounts in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 but not less than $5,000,000, or to terminate, all or a portion of the then undisbursed portion of either or -38- <PAGE> both of the Commitments. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of any reduction or termination of the Commitments under this Section. 2.6 Optional Termination of Commitments. Following the occurrence of ----------------------------------- a Change in Control or a Change in Management, the Requisite Lenders may in their sole and absolute discretion elect, during the thirty (30) day period immediately subsequent to the later of (a) such occurrence or (b) the earlier of -------- ------- (i) receipt of Borrower's written notice to the Administrative Agent of such occurrence or (ii) if no such notice has been received by the Administrative Agent, the date upon which the Administrative Agent has actual knowledge thereof, to terminate the Commitments, in which case the Commitments shall be terminated effective on the date which is sixty (60) days subsequent to written notice from the Administrative Agent to Borrower thereof. 2.7 Administrative Agent's Right to Assume Funds Available for ---------------------------------------------------------- Advances. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any -------- Lender no later than 10:00 a.m. on the Banking Day of the proposed funding by the Administrative Agent of any Loan that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's portion of the total amount of such Loan, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on the date of the Loan and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent has made funds available to Borrower based on such assumption and such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative Agent promptly shall notify Borrower and Borrower shall pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent also shall be entitled to recover from such Lender interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the daily Federal Funds Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its share of the Commitments or to prejudice any rights which the Administrative Agent or Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder. -39- <PAGE> 2.8 Swing Line. (a) The Swing Line Lender shall from time to time ---------- from the Closing Date through the day prior to the Line A Maturity Date make Swing Line Loans to Borrower in such amounts as Borrower may request, provided -------- that (a) giving effect thereto, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount --- -- outstanding under the Line A Notes plus (ii) the Aggregate Effective Amount of ---- all outstanding Letters of Credit plus (iii) the Swing Line Outstandings does ---- not exceed the Line A Commitment, (b) after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Outstandings do not exceed $10,000,000, (c) without the consent of all of the Lenders, no Swing Line Loan may be made during the continuation of an Event of Default and (d) the Swing Line Lender has not given at least twenty-four (24) hours prior notice to Borrower that availability under the Swing Line is suspended or terminated. Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under this Section. Unless notified to the contrary by the Swing Line Lender, borrowings under the Swing Line may be made in amounts which are integral multiples of $100,000 (or the remaining availability under the Swing Line) upon telephonic request by a Responsible Official of Borrower made to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m., California time, on the Banking Day of the requested borrowing (which telephonic request shall be promptly confirmed in writing by telecopier or electronic mail). Promptly after receipt of such a request for borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall provide telephonic verification to the Swing Line Lender that, after giving effect to such request, availability for Loans will exist under Section 2.1(a) (and such ------ verification shall be promptly confirmed in writing by telecopier or electronic mail). Unless notified to the contrary by the Swing Line Lender, each repayment of a Swing Line Loan shall be in an amount which is an integral multiple of $100,000 (or the Swing Line Outstandings). Borrower shall notify the Swing Line Lender of its intention to make a repayment of a Swing Line Loan not later than 1:00 p.m. California time on the date of repayment. If Borrower instructs the Swing Line Lender to debit its demand deposit account at the Swing Line Lender in the amount of any payment with respect to a Swing Line Loan, or the Swing Line Lender otherwise receives repayment, after 3:00 p.m., California time, on a Banking Day, such payment shall be deemed received on the next Banking Day. The Swing Line Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the Swing Loan Outstandings each time there is a change therein. (b) Swing Line Loans shall bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate. Interest shall be payable on such dates, not more frequent than monthly, as may be specified by the Swing Line Lender and in any -40- <PAGE> event on the Line A Maturity Date. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing Borrower for such interest. The interest payable on Swing Line Loans is solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender (subject to clause (d) --- below). (c) The Swing Line Loans shall be payable on demand made by the Swing Line Lender and in any event on the Line A Maturity Date. (d) Upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to have purchased from the Swing Line Lender a participation therein in an amount equal to that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment times the ----- amount of the Swing Line Loan. Upon demand made by the Swing Line Lender, each Lender shall, according to its Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment, promptly provide to the Swing Line Lender its purchase price therefor in an amount equal to its participation therein. The obligation of each Lender to so provide its purchase price to the Swing Line Lender shall be absolute and unconditional (except only demand made by the Swing Line Lender) and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default; provided that no Lender shall -------- be obligated to purchase its Pro Rata Share of (i) Swing Line Loans to the extent that the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount plus (B) the Aggregate --- -- ---- Effective Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus (C) the Swing Line ---- Outstandings exceeds the Line A Commitment, (ii) Swing Line Loans to the extent that Swing Line Outstandings are in excess of $10,000,000 and (iii) any Swing Line Loan made (absent the consent of all of the Lenders) during the continuation of an Event of Default. Each Lender that has provided to the Swing Line Lender the purchase price due for its participation in Swing Line Loans shall thereupon acquire a pro rata participation, to the extent of such payment, in the claim of the Swing Line Lender against Borrower for principal and interest and shall share, in accordance with that pro rata participation, in any principal payment made by Borrower with respect to such claim and in any interest payment made by Borrower (but only with respect to periods subsequent to the date such Lender paid the Swing Line Lender its purchase price) with respect to such claim. (e) In the event that the Swing Line Outstandings are in excess of $5)),))) on five (5) consecutive Banking Days, then on the next Banking Day (unless Borrower has made other arrangements acceptable to the Swing Line Lender to reduce the Swing Line Outstandings below $500,000), Borrower shall request a Loan pursuant to Section 2.1 sufficient to reduce the Swing Line Outstandings --- below $500,000. In addition, upon any demand for payment of the Swing Line Outstandings by the Swing -41- <PAGE> Line Lender (unless Borrower has made other arrangements acceptable to the Swing Line Lender to reduce the Swing Line Outstandings to $0), Borrower shall request a Loan pursuant to Section 2.1(a) sufficient to repay all Swing Line ------ Outstandings (and, for this purpose, Section 2.1(e) shall not apply). In each ------ case, the Administrative Agent shall automatically provide the responsive Advances made by each Lender to the Swing Line Lender (which the Swing Line Lender shall then apply to the Swing Line Outstandings). In the event that Borrower fails to request a Loan within the time specified by Section 2.2 on any --- such date, the Administrative Agent may, but is not required to, without notice to or the consent of Borrower, cause Alternate Base Rate Advances to be made by the Lenders under the Commitments in amounts which are sufficient to reduce the Swing Line Outstandings as required above. The proceeds of such Advances shall be paid directly to the Swing Line Lender for application to the Swing Line Outstandings. Article 3 PAYMENTS AND FEES ----------------- 3.1 Principal and Interest. ---------------------- (a) Interest shall be payable on the outstanding daily unpaid principal amount of each Advance from the date thereof until payment in full is made and shall accrue and be payable at the rates set forth or provided for herein before and after Default, before and after maturity, before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, with interest on overdue interest at the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. (b) Interest accrued on each Alternate Base Rate Loan shall be due and payable on each Quarterly Payment Date. Except as otherwise ------ provided in Section 3.9, the unpaid principal amount of any Alternate Base --- Rate Loan shall bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate. Each change in the interest rate under this Section 3.1(b) due to a change in the Alternate Base Rate shall take effect ------ simultaneously with the corresponding change in the Alternate Base Rate. (c) Interest accrued on each Eurodollar Rate Loan which is for -42- <PAGE> a term of three months or less shall be due and payable on the last day of the related Eurodollar Period. Interest accrued on each other Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be due and payable on the date which is three months after the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan was made (and, in the event that all of the Lenders have approved a Eurodollar Period of longer than six months, every three months thereafter through the last day of the Eurodollar Period) and on the last day of the related Eurodollar Period. Except as ------ otherwise provided in Section 3.9, the unpaid principal amount of any --- Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for that Eurodollar Rate Loan plus the Applicable ---- Eurodollar Rate Margin. (d) If not sooner paid, the principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes shall be payable as follows: (i) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (A) the ------ principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Line A Notes plus (B) the ---- Aggregate Effective Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus ---- (C) the Swing Line Outstandings at any time exceeds the then applicable Line A Commitment (including the Line A Commitment as --------- reduced pursuant to Section 2.5) shall be payable immediately; --- (ii) the amount, if any, by which the principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Line B Notes at any time exceeds the Line B Commitment (including the Line B Commitment as reduced pursuant --------- to Section 2.5) shall be payable immediately; --- (iii) the principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Line A Notes shall in any event be payable on the Line A Maturity Date; and (iv) the principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Line B Notes shall in any event be payable on the Line B Maturity Date. (e) The principal Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes may, at any time and from time to time, voluntarily be paid or prepaid in whole or in part without premium or penalty, except that with respect to any ------ voluntary prepayment under this Subsection, (i) any partial prepayment of an Alternate Base Rate Loan shall be not less than $500,000 and shall be an integral multiple -43- <PAGE> of $100,000 (or the aggregate Indebtedness evidenced by the Line A Notes or Line B Notes, as applicable), (ii) any partial prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be not less than $1,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000 (or the aggregate Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes, as applicable), (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice of any prepayment by 9:00 a.m. California time on the date that is one (1) Banking Day before the date of prepayment (which must be a Banking Day) in the case of an Alternate Base Rate Loan, and, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, two (2) Banking Days before the date of prepayment, which notice shall identify the date and amount of the prepayment and the Loan(s) being prepaid, (iv) each prepayment of principal on any Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by payment of interest accrued to the date of payment on the amount of principal paid and (v) any payment or prepayment of all or any part of any Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the applicable Eurodollar Period shall be subject to Section 3.8(d). ------ 3.2 Arrangement Fee. On the Closing Date, Borrower shall pay to the --------------- Lead Arranger the arrangement fee as heretofore agreed upon by letter agreement dated December 23, 1998 between Borrower and the Lead Arranger. The arrangement fee paid to the Lead Arranger is solely for its own account and is nonrefundable. 3.3 Participation Fee. On the Closing Date, Borrower shall pay to ----------------- the Administrative Agent, for the ratable accounts of the Lenders pro rata according to their Pro Rata Share of the Commitments, a participation fee equal to .1% (10 basis points) times the Commitments. The participation fee paid to ----- each Lender is solely for its account and is non-refundable. 3.4 Agency Fee. On the Closing Date, and on each anniversary ---------- thereof, Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the agency fee as heretofore agreed upon by letter agreement dated December 23, 1998 between Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The agency fee paid to the Administrative Agent is solely for its own account and is nonrefundable. 3.5 Commitment Fee. From the Closing Date through the Maturity Date, -------------- Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable accounts of the Lenders pro rata according to their Pro Rata Share of the Commitments, a commitment fee equal to .25% (25 basis points) per annum times the average daily ----- amount by which -44- <PAGE> the Commitments exceed the sum of (a) the aggregate daily principal Indebtedness ------ evidenced by the Notes plus (b) the Aggregate Effective Amount of all ---- outstanding Letters of Credit. The commitment fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears as of each Quarterly Payment Date within three (3) Banking Days after receipt by Borrower of an invoice therefor from the Administrative Agent. 3.6 Letter of Credit Fees. With respect to each Letter of Credit, --------------------- Borrower shall pay the following fees: (a) concurrently with the issuance of each Standby Letter of Credit, a letter of credit issuance fee to the Issuing Lender for the sole account of the Issuing Lender, in an amount equal to .125% (12.5 basis points) times the face amount of such Standby Letter of Credit through the ----- termination or expiration of such Standby Letter of Credit; (b) concurrently with the issuance of each Standby Letter of Credit, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment, a standby letter of credit fee in an amount equal to the Applicable Standby Letter of Credit Fee Rate as of the date of such issuance times the face amount of ----- such Standby Letter of Credit through the termination or expiration of such Standby Letter of Credit, which the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Lenders; and (c) concurrently with the issuance, negotiation, and any other activity with respect to each Commercial Letter of Credit, to the Issuing Lender for the sole account of the Issuing Lender, issuance, negotiation and other activity fees payable under the Issuing Lender's then standard commercial letter of credit policies. Each of the fees payable with respect to Letters of Credit under this Section is earned when due and is nonrefundable. 3.7 Increased Commitment Costs. If any Lender shall determine in -------------------------- good faith that the introduction after the Closing Date of any applicable law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any central bank or other Governmental Agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by -45- <PAGE> such Lender (or its Eurodollar Lending Office) or any corporation controlling such Lender, with any request, guideline or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of Law) of any such central bank or other authority not imposed as a result of such Lender's or such corporation's failure to comply with any other Laws, affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender and (taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender's desired return on capital) determines in good faith that the amount of such capital is increased, or the rate of return on capital is reduced, as a consequence of its obligations under this Agreement, then, within five (5) Banking Days after demand of such Lender, Borrower shall pay to such Lender, from time to time as specified in good faith by such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender in light of such circumstances, to the extent reasonably allocable to such obligations under this Agreement, provided -------- that Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any such amount which arose prior to the date which is ninety (90) days preceding the date of such demand or is attributable to periods prior to the date which is ninety (90) days preceding the date of such demand. Each Lender's determination of such amounts shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. 3.8 Eurodollar Costs and Related Matters. ------------------------------------ (a) If, after the date hereof, the existence or occurrence of any Special Eurodollar Circumstance: (1) shall subject any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to any tax, duty or other charge or cost with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any of its Notes evidencing Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances, or shall change the basis of taxation of payments to any Lender attributable to the principal of or interest on any Eurodollar Rate Advance or any other amounts due under this Agreement in respect of any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any of its Notes evidencing Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances, excluding (i) taxes --------- imposed on or measured in whole or in part by its overall net income by (A) any jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) in which it is organized or maintains its principal office or Eurodollar Lending Office or (B) any jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) in which it is "doing -46- <PAGE> business" and (ii) any withholding taxes or other taxes based on net income imposed by the United States of America for any period with respect to which it has failed to provide Borrower with the appropriate form or forms required by Section 11.21, to the extent ----- such forms are then required by applicable Laws; (2) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve not applicable or deemed applicable on the date hereof (including any --------- reserve imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, special deposit, capital or similar requirements against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office); or (3) shall impose on any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office or the Designated Eurodollar Market any other condition affecting any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any of its Notes evidencing Eurodollar Rate Loans, its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or this Agreement, or shall otherwise affect any of the same; and the result of any of the foregoing, as determined in good faith by such Lender, increases the cost to such Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Advance or in respect of any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any of its Notes evidencing Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or reduces the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any of its Notes evidencing Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances (assuming such Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office had funded 100% of its Eurodollar Rate Advance in the Designated Eurodollar Market), then, within five (5) Banking Days after demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction (determined as though such Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office had funded 100% of its Eurodollar Rate Advance in the Designated Eurodollar Market); provided, that Borrower shall not be -------- obligated to pay any such amount which arose prior to the date which is ninety (90) -47- <PAGE> days preceding the date of such demand or is attributable to periods prior to the date which is ninety (90) days preceding the date of such demand. A statement of any Lender claiming compensation under this subsection shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. (b) If, after the date hereof, the existence or occurrence of any Special Eurodollar Circumstance shall, in the good faith opinion of any Lender, make it unlawful or impossible for such Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to make, maintain or fund its portion of any Eurodollar Rate Loan, or materially restrict the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the Designated Eurodollar Market, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, then such Lender's obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended for the duration of such illegality or impossibility and the Administrative Agent forthwith shall give notice thereof to the other Lenders and Borrower. Upon receipt of such notice, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's Eurodollar Rate Advances, together with accrued interest thereon, automatically shall be converted to Alternate Base Rate Advances on either (1) the last day of the Eurodollar Period(s) applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Advances if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain and fund such Eurodollar Rate Advances to such day(s) or (2) immediately if such Lender may not lawfully continue to fund and maintain such Eurodollar Rate Advances to such day(s), provided that in such event the conversion -------- shall not be subject to payment of a prepayment fee under Section 3.8(d). ------ Each Lender agrees to endeavor promptly to notify Borrower of any event of which it has actual knowledge, occurring after the Closing Date, which will cause that Lender to notify the Administrative Agent under this Section, and agrees to designate a different Eurodollar Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. In the event that any Lender is unable, for the reasons set forth above, to make, maintain or fund its portion of any Eurodollar Rate Loan, such Lender shall fund such amount as an Alternate Base Rate Advance for the same period of time, and such amount shall be treated in all respects as an Alternate Base Rate Advance. Any Lender whose obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances has been suspended under this Section shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and Borrower of the cessation of the Special Eurodollar Circumstance which gave rise to such suspension. -48- <PAGE> (c) If, with respect to any proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan: (1) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that, by reason of circumstances affecting the Designated Eurodollar Market generally that are beyond the reasonable control of the Lenders, deposits in Dollars (in the applicable amounts) are not being offered to any Lender in the Designated Eurodollar Market for the applicable Eurodollar Period; or (2) the Requisite Lenders advise the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent (i) does not represent the effective pricing to such Lenders for deposits in Dollars in the Designated Eurodollar Market in the relevant amount for the applicable Eurodollar Period, or (ii) will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making the applicable Eurodollar Rate Advances; then the Administrative Agent forthwith shall give notice thereof to Borrower and the Lenders, whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make any future Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended. (d) Upon payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Rate Advance (other than as the result of a conversion required under Section 3.8(b) on ----- ---- ------ a day other than the last day in the applicable Eurodollar Period (whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise), or upon the failure of Borrower (for a reason other than the breach by a Lender of its obligation pursuant to Section 2.1 to make an Advance) to --- borrow on the date or in the amount specified for a Eurodollar Rate Loan in any Request for Loan, Borrower shall pay to the appropriate Lender within five (5) Banking Days after demand a prepayment fee or failure to borrow fee, as the case may be (determined as though 100% of the Eurodollar Rate Advance had been funded in the Designated Eurodollar Market) equal to the sum of: --- (1) $250; plus ---- -49- <PAGE> (2) the amount, if any, by which (i) the additional interest would have accrued on the amount prepaid or not borrowed at the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin if that ---- amount had remained or been outstanding through the last day of the applicable Eurodollar Period exceeds (ii) the interest that the Lender ------- could recover by placing such amount on deposit in the Designated Eurodollar Market for a period beginning on the date of the prepayment or failure to borrow and ending on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar Period (or, if no deposit rate quotation is available for such period, for the most comparable period for which a deposit rate quotation may be obtained); plus ---- (3) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender reasonably attributable to such payment, prepayment or failure to borrow. Each Lender's determination of the amount of any prepayment fee payable under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. (e) Each Lender agrees to endeavor promptly to notify Borrower of any event of which it has actual knowledge, occurring after the Closing Date, which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to clause (a) - of this Section, and agrees to designate a different Eurodollar Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for or reduce the amount of such compensation and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. Any request for compensation by a Lender under this Section shall set forth the basis upon which it has been determined that such an amount is due from Borrower, a calculation of the amount due, and a certification that the corresponding costs have been incurred by the Lender. 3.9 Late Payments. If any installment of principal or interest or ------------- any fee or cost or other amount payable under any Loan Document to the Administrative Agent or any Lender is not paid when due, it shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus 2%, to the fullest extent permitted by ------ ---- applicable Laws; provided that the Default Rate -------- -50- <PAGE> shall not apply to any amount not paid at a time when Borrower's general operating bank account with the Administrative Agent has a credit balance in collected funds at least equal to such amount and the Administrative Agent is able to, but fails to, debit such account pursuant to Section 3.12(b). Accrued ------- and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including, without limitation, interest --------- on past due interest) shall be compounded monthly, on the last day of each calendar month, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. 3.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. Computation of interest and -------------------------------- fees under this Agreement shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made; interest shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid. Any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, interest in excess of the maximum amount permitted by applicable Laws shall not accrue or be payable hereunder or under the Notes, and any amount paid as interest hereunder or under the Notes which would otherwise be in excess of such maximum permitted amount shall instead be treated as a payment of principal. 3.11 Non-Banking Days. If any payment to be made by Borrower or any ---------------- other Party under any Loan Document shall come due on a day other than a Banking Day, payment shall instead be considered due on the next succeeding Banking Day and the extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest and fees. 3.12 Manner and Treatment of Payments. -------------------------------- (a) Each payment hereunder (except payments pursuant to ------ Sections 3.7, 3.8, 11.3, 11.11 and 11.22) or on the Notes or under any --- --- ---- ----- ----- other Loan Document shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office for the account of each of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, without deduction, offset or counterclaim, in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. California time, on the day of payment (which must be a Banking Day). All payments received after such time, on any Banking Day, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Banking Day. The amount of all payments received by the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender shall be -51- <PAGE> immediately paid by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Lender in immediately available funds and, if such payment was received by the Administrative Agent by 11:00 a.m., California time, on a Banking Day and not so made available to the account of a Lender on that Banking Day, the Administrative Agent shall reimburse that Lender for the cost to such Lender of funding the amount of such payment at the Federal Funds Rate. All payments shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America. (b) Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to debit the general operating bank account of Borrower on the date when due to effect any payment due to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent has given at -------- least one (1) full Banking Day's prior notice to Borrower. Any resulting overdraft in such account shall be payable by Borrower to the Administrative Agent on the next following Banking Day and thereafter shall bear interest at the Default Rate. (c) Each payment or prepayment on account of any Loan shall be applied pro rata according to the outstanding Advances made by each Lender comprising such Loan. (d) Each Lender shall use its best efforts to keep a record (in writing or by an electronic data entry system) of Advances made by it and payments received by it with respect to each of its Notes and, subject to Section 10.6(g), such record shall, as against Borrower, be presumptive ------- evidence of the amounts owing. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure by any Lender to keep such a record shall not affect Borrower's obligation to pay the Obligations. (e) Each payment of any amount payable by Borrower or any other Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without reduction by reason of, any taxes, assessments or other charges imposed by any Governmental Agency, central bank or comparable authority, excluding (i) taxes imposed on or measured in whole --------- or in part by a Lender's overall net income by (A) any jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) in which the Lender is organized or maintains its principal office or Eurodollar Lending Office or (B) any jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) in which the Lender is "doing business" and (ii) any -52- <PAGE> withholding taxes or other taxes based on net income imposed by the United States of America for any period with respect to which the Lender has failed to provide Borrower with the appropriate form or forms required by Section 11.21, to the extent such forms are then required by applicable ----- Laws (all such non-excluded taxes, assessments or other charges being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). To the extent that Borrower is obligated by applicable Laws to make any deduction or withholding on account of Taxes from any amount payable to any Lender under this Agreement, Borrower shall (i) make such deduction or withholding and pay the same to the relevant Governmental Agency and (ii) pay such additional amount to that Lender as is necessary to result in that Lender's receiving a net after-Tax amount equal to the amount to which that Lender would have been entitled under this Agreement absent such deduction or withholding. If and when receipt of such payment results in an excess payment or credit to that Lender on account of such Taxes, that Lender shall promptly refund such excess to Borrower. 3.13 Funding Sources. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to --------------- obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan or Advance in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan or Advance in any particular place or manner. 3.14 Failure to Charge Not Subsequent Waiver. Any decision by the --------------------------------------- Administrative Agent or any Lender not to require payment of any interest (including interest arising under Section 3.9), fee, cost or other amount --------- --- payable under any Loan Document, or to calculate any amount payable by a particular method, on any occasion shall in no way limit or be deemed a waiver of the Administrative Agent's or such Lender's right to require full payment of any interest (including interest arising under Section 3.9), fee, cost or other --------- --- amount payable under any Loan Document, or to calculate an amount payable by another method that is not inconsistent with this Agreement, on any other or subsequent occasion. 3.15 Administrative Agent's Right to Assume Payments Will be Made. ------------------------------------------------------------ Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by Borrower prior to the date on which any payment to be made by Borrower hereunder is due that Borrower does not intend to remit such payment, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, assume that Borrower has remitted such payment when so due and the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and in reliance upon such assumption, make available to -53- <PAGE> each Lender on such payment date an amount equal to such Lender's share of such assumed payment. If Borrower has not in fact remitted such payment to the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available to such Lender, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Rate. 3.16 Fee Determination Detail. The Administrative Agent, and any ------------------------ Lender, shall provide reasonable detail to Borrower regarding the manner in which the amount of any payment to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, or that Lender, under Article 3 has been determined, concurrently with demand for --------- such payment. 3.17 Survivability. All of Borrower's obligations under Sections 3.7 ------------- --- and 3.8 shall survive for the ninety (90) day period following the date on which --- the Commitments are terminated and all Loans hereunder are fully paid, and Borrower shall remain obligated thereunder for all claims under such Sections made by any Lender to Borrower prior to the expiration of such period. Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ------------------------------ Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that: 4.1 Existence and Qualification; Power; Compliance With Laws. -------------------------------------------------------- Borrower is a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware. Borrower is duly qualified or registered to transact business in Colorado and is in good standing in Colorado and each other jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of its Properties makes such qualification or registration necessary, except where ------ the failure so to qualify or register and to be in good standing would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business, to own and lease its Properties and to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which it is a Party and to perform its Obligations. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Borrower are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and no holder thereof has any enforceable right of rescission under any applicable state or federal securities Laws. -54- <PAGE> Borrower is in compliance with all Laws and other legal requirements applicable to its business, has obtained all authorizations, consents, approvals, orders, licenses and permits from, and has accomplished all filings, registrations and qualifications with, or obtained exemptions from any of the foregoing from, any Governmental Agency that are necessary for the transaction of its business, except where the failure so to comply, obtain authorizations, etc., file, ------ register, qualify or obtain exemptions does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect. 4.2 Authority; Compliance With Other Agreements and Instruments and --------------------------------------------------------------- Government Regulations. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and ---------------------- the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Loan Documents to which it is a Party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not: (a) Require any consent or approval not heretofore obtained of any partner, director, stockholder, security holder or creditor of such Party; (b) Violate or conflict with any provision of such Party's charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws, as applicable; (c) Result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien or Right of Others upon or with respect to any Property now owned or leased or hereafter acquired by such Party; (d) Violate any Requirement of Law applicable to such Party; (e) Result in a breach of or constitute a default under, or cause or permit the acceleration of any obligation owed under, any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other Contractual Obligation to which such Party is a party or by which such Party or any of its Property is bound or affected; and such Party is not in violation of, or default under, any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation, or any indenture, loan or credit agreement described in Section 4.2(e), in any respect that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect. ------ 4.3 No Governmental Approvals Required. Except as previously ---------------------------------- ------ obtained or made, no authorization, consent, approval, order, license or permit from, or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Agency is or will be -55- <PAGE> required to authorize or permit under applicable Laws the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Loan Documents to which it is a Party. 4.4 Subsidiaries. ------------ (a) Schedule 4.4 hereto correctly sets forth the (i) names, (ii) ------------ form of legal entity, (iii) number of shares of capital stock (or other units of equity interests) issued and outstanding, (iv) number of shares (or units) owned by Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower (and specifying such owner), and (v) jurisdictions of organization of all Subsidiaries of Borrower. Schedule 4.4 hereto correctly specifies which of the ------------ Subsidiaries of Borrower are Inactive Subsidiaries. Except as described in Schedule 4.4 or Schedule 6.15, Borrower does not own any capital stock, ------------ ------------- equity interest or debt security which is convertible, or exchangeable, for capital stock or equity interests in any Person. Unless otherwise indicated in Schedule 4.4, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock ------------ (or units of equity interest) of each Subsidiary are owned of record and beneficially by Borrower, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase capital stock (or such units) of any such Subsidiary, and all such shares (or such units) so owned are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities and other Laws, and are free and clear of all Liens and Rights of Others, except for ------ Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Rights of Others. (b) Each Subsidiary of Borrower (other than Inactive Subsidiaries) is ----- ---- duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, in the form of organization stated in Schedule 4.4 therefor, is duly qualified to do business as a foreign ------------ organization and is in good standing as such in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of its Properties makes such qualification necessary (except where the failure to be so duly ------ qualified and in good standing does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect), and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business and to own and lease its Properties. (c) Each Subsidiary of Borrower is in compliance with all Laws and other requirements applicable to its business and has obtained all authorizations, -56- <PAGE> consents, approvals, orders, licenses, and permits from, and each Subsidiary has accomplished all filings, registrations, and qualifications with, or obtained exemptions from any of the foregoing from, any Governmental Agency that are necessary for the transaction of its business, except where the failure to be in such compliance, obtain such ------ authorizations, consents, approvals, orders, licenses, and permits, accomplish such filings, registrations, and qualifications, or obtain such exemptions, does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect. 4.5 Financial Statements. Borrower has furnished to the Lenders (a) -------------------- the audited financial statements of Borrower for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 1997 and (b) the unaudited balance sheet and statement of operations of Borrower for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 26, 1998. The financial statements described in clause (a) fairly present in all material respects the - financial condition, results of operations and changes in financial position, and the balance sheet and statement of operations described in clause (b) fairly - present the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower, as of such dates and for such periods in conformity with GAAP consistently applied subject only to normal year-end accruals and audit adjustments. 4.6 No Other Liabilities; No Material Adverse Changes. Borrower and ------------------------------------------------- its Subsidiaries do not have any material liability or material contingent liability required under GAAP to be reflected or disclosed, and not reflected or disclosed, in the balance sheet described in Section 4.5(b), other than ------ ----- ---- liabilities and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business since the date of such financial statements. As of the Closing Date, no circumstance or event has occurred that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect since September 26, 1998. 4.7 Title to and Location of Property. Borrower and its Subsidiaries --------------------------------- have valid title to the Property (other than assets which are the subject of a ----- ---- Capital Lease Obligation) reflected in the balance sheet described in Section 4.5(b), other than items of Property or exceptions to title which are in each ------ ----- ---- case immaterial and Property subsequently sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business. Such Property is free and clear of all Liens and Rights of Others, other than Liens or Rights of Others described in Schedule 4.7 and ---------- ------------ Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Rights of Others. 4.8 Intangible Assets. Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess ----------------- the right to use to the extent necessary in their respective businesses, all material trade- -57- <PAGE> marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, computer software, licenses and other Intangible Assets that are used in the conduct of their businesses as now operated, and no such Intangible Asset, to the best knowledge of Borrower, conflicts with the valid trademark, trade name, copyright, patent, patent right or Intangible Asset of any other Person to the extent that such conflict constitutes a Material Adverse Effect. 4.9 Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither Borrower nor any of ---------------------------------- its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", in each case within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. 4.10 Litigation. Except for (a) any matter fully covered as to ---------- ------ subject matter and amount (subject to applicable deductibles and retentions) by insurance for which the insurance carrier has not asserted lack of subject matter coverage or reserved its right to do so, (b) any matter, or series of related matters, involving a claim against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of less than $1,000,000, (c) matters of an administrative nature not involving a claim or charge against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (d) matters set forth in Schedule 4.10, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or ------------- investigations pending as to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have been served or have received notice or, to the best knowledge of Borrower, threatened against or affecting Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Property of any of them before any Governmental Agency. 4.11 Binding Obligations. Each of the Loan Documents to which ------------------- Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a Party will, when executed and delivered by Borrower or the Subsidiary Guarantor, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be ------ limited by Debtor Relief Laws or equitable principles relating to the granting of specific performance and other equitable remedies as a matter of judicial discretion. 4.12 No Default. No event has occurred and is continuing that is a ---------- Default or Event of Default. 4.13 ERISA. ----- -58- <PAGE> (a) With respect to each Pension Plan: (i) such Pension Plan complies in all material respects with ERISA and any other applicable Laws to the extent that noncompliance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) such Pension Plan has not incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) no "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA, but excluding such events as to which the PBGC has by --------- regulation waived the requirement therein contained that it be notified within thirty days of the occurrence of such event) has occurred that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred or expects to incur any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 4.14 Regulation U; Investment Company Act. No part of the proceeds ------------------------------------ of any Loan hereunder will be used to purchase or carry, or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, any Margin Stock in violation of Regulation U. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is or is required to be registered as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940. 4.15 Disclosure. No written statement made by a Senior Officer to ---------- the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement, or in connection with any Loan, as of the date thereof contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a material fact necessary to make the statement made not misleading in light of all the circumstances existing at the date the statement was made. -59- <PAGE> 4.16 Tax Liability. Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all tax ------------- returns which are required to be filed, and have paid, or made provision for the payment of, all taxes with respect to the periods, Property or transactions covered by said returns, or pursuant to any assessment received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except (a) such taxes, if any, as are being contested ------ in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been established and maintained and (b) immaterial taxes so long as no material Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is at impending risk of being seized, levied upon or forfeited. 4.17 Projections. As of the Closing Date, to the best knowledge of ----------- Borrower, the assumptions set forth in the Projections are reasonable and consistent with each other and with all facts known to Borrower, and the Projections are reasonably based on such assumptions. Nothing in this Section 4.17 shall be construed as a representation or covenant that the Projections in ---- fact will be achieved. 4.18 Hazardous Materials. Except as described in Schedule 4.18, as ------------------- ------------- of the Closing Date (a) neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries at any time has disposed of, discharged, released or threatened the release of any Hazardous Materials on, from or under the Real Property in violation of any Hazardous Materials Law that would individually or in the aggregate constitute a Material Adverse Effect, (b) to the best knowledge of Borrower, no condition exists that violates any Hazardous Material Law affecting any Real Property except for such violations that would not individually or in the aggregate constitute a Material Adverse Effect, (c) no Real Property or any portion thereof is or has been utilized by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as a site for the manufacture of any Hazardous Materials and (d) to the extent that any Hazardous Materials are used, generated or stored by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on any Real Property, or transported to or from such Real Property by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such use, generation, storage and transportation are in compliance with all Hazardous Materials Laws except for such non-compliance that would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect or be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders. 4.19 Solvency. As of the Closing Date and as of the date of each -------- Loan, and giving effect thereto and the application of proceeds thereof, Borrower is not and will not (as of the date of each Loan) be Insolvent. -60- <PAGE> Article 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS --------------------- (OTHER THAN INFORMATION AND -------------------------- REPORTING REQUIREMENTS) ---------------------- So long as any Advance remains unpaid, or any other Obligation remains unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains in force, Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, unless the Administrative Agent (with the written approval of the Requisite Lenders) otherwise consents: 5.1 Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Liens. Pay and discharge ------------------------------------------ promptly all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon any of them, upon their respective Property or any part thereof and upon their respective income or profits or any part thereof, except that Borrower and its ------ Subsidiaries shall not be required to pay or cause to be paid (a) any tax, assessment, charge or levy that is not yet past due, or is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings so long as the relevant entity has established and maintains adequate reserves for the payment of the same or (b) any immaterial tax so long as no material Property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries is at impending risk of being seized, levied upon or forfeited. 5.2 Preservation of Existence. Preserve and maintain their ------------------------- respective existences in the jurisdiction of their formation and all material authorizations, rights, franchises, privileges, consents, approvals, orders, licenses, permits, or registrations from any Governmental Agency that are necessary for the transaction of their respective business and qualify and remain qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary in view of their respective business or the ownership or leasing of their respective Properties except (a) a merger permitted by ------ Section 6.3 or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement and (b) where the --- failure to so qualify or remain qualified would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect. 5.3 Maintenance of Properties. Maintain, preserve and protect all of ------------------------- their respective Properties in good order and condition, subject to wear and tear in the ordinary course of business, and not permit any waste of their respective Properties, except that the failure to maintain, preserve and protect ------ a particular item of Property that is at the end of its useful life or that is not of significant value, either intrinsically -61- <PAGE> or to the operations of Borrower, shall not constitute a violation of this covenant. 5.4 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain liability, casualty and other ------------------------ insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) with responsible insurance companies in such amounts and against such risks as is carried by responsible companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar assets in the general areas in which Borrower and its Subsidiaries operate. 5.5 Compliance With Laws. Comply with all Requirements of Law -------------------- noncompliance with which constitutes a Material Adverse Effect, except that ------ Borrower and its Subsidiaries need not comply with a Requirement of Law then being contested by any of them in good faith by appropriate proceedings. 5.6 Inspection Rights. Upon reasonable notice, at any time during ----------------- regular business hours and as often as reasonably requested (but not so as to significantly interfere with the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) permit the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or any authorized employee, agent or representative thereof, to examine, audit and make copies and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and to visit and inspect the Properties of, Borrower and its Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries with any of their officers, key employees or accountants. 5.7 Keeping of Records and Books of Account. Keep adequate records --------------------------------------- and books of account reflecting all financial transactions in conformity with GAAP, consistently applied, and in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Agency having regulatory jurisdiction over Borrower and its Subsidiaries. 5.8 Compliance With Agreements. Promptly and fully comply with all -------------------------- Contractual Obligations to which any one or more of them is a party, except for ------ any such Contractual Obligations (a) the performance of which would cause a Default or (b) then being contested by any of them in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (c) if the failure to comply does not constitute a Material Adverse Effect. 5.9 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of all Loans for working --------------- capital and general corporate purposes (including Acquisitions) of Borrower. --------- -62- <PAGE> 5.10 Hazardous Materials Laws. Keep and maintain all Real Property ------------------------ and each portion thereof in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Hazardous Materials Laws and promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing (attaching a copy of any pertinent written material) of (a) any and all material enforcement, cleanup, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions instituted, completed or threatened in writing by a Governmental Agency pursuant to any applicable Hazardous Materials Laws, (b) any and all material claims made or threatened in writing by any Person against Borrower relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss or injury resulting from any Hazardous Materials and (c) discovery by any Senior Officer of any of Borrower of any material occurrence or condition on any real Property adjoining or in the vicinity of such Real Property that could reasonably be expected to cause such Real Property or any part thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use of such Real Property under any applicable Hazardous Materials Laws. 5.11 Future Subsidiaries. Cause each Subsidiary (other than an ------------------- ----- ---- Inactive Subsidiary) formed or acquired after the Closing Date to execute and deliver an appropriate joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty. 5.12 Year 2000 Compliance. Take such steps as are reasonably -------------------- necessary (a) to assure that, prior to November 1, 1999, Borrower and its Subsidiaries are Year 2000 Compliant and (b) to make reasonable inquiries of all vendors of Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are material to the business of Borrower and whose ability to perform their business obligations to Borrower may be materially affected by their not being Year 2000 Compliant as to the status of their becoming Year 2000 Compliant and, based on responses to those inquiries, formulate a prudent plan to address the possibility that a vendor will not be Year 2000 Compliant. Such steps shall include the performance of a comprehensive review and assessment of all data storage and operating systems and the adoption of a detailed plan and budget for the remediation, monitoring and testing of such systems. The term "Year 2000 Compliant" means, for purposes ------------------- of the foregoing, that all hardware, software, firmware, equipment, goods and systems used by a Person, and which are material to the business operations or financial condition of a Person, will properly perform date-sensitive functions on and after January 1, 2000. 5.13 Syndication Process. Cooperate in such respects as may be ------------------- requested by the Lead Arranger in connection with the syndication of the credit -63- <PAGE> facilities under this Agreement, including the provision of information (in form --------- and substance acceptable to the Lead Arranger) for inclusion in written materials furnished to prospective syndicate members and the participation by Senior Officers in meetings with prospective syndicate members. Nothing in Section 5.13 shall obligate Borrower to amend any Loan Document. ---- Article 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS ------------------ So long as any Advance remains unpaid, or any other Obligation remains unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains in force, Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, unless the Administrative Agent (with the written approval of the Requisite Lenders or, if required by Section 11.2, of all of the Lenders) otherwise consents: ---- 6.1 Prepayment of Indebtedness. Make any payment of principal or -------------------------- interest on any Indebtedness prior to the date when due and payable, or amend the terms of any Indebtedness to accelerate the date upon which any principal or interest thereof is due and payable, except the Indebtedness evidenced by the ------ Notes, if a Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom. 6.2 Disposition of Property. Make any Disposition of its Property, ----------------------- whether now owned or hereafter acquired, (a) except a Disposition by Borrower to ------ a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, or by a Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (b) the closure of stores leased by Borrower and the reversion thereof to the lessor, and (c) a sale and leaseback transaction permitted by Section 6.8(g). ------ 6.3 Mergers. Merge or consolidate with or into any Person, except ------- ------ (a) mergers and consolidations of a Subsidiary of Borrower into Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or of Subsidiaries with each other and (b) a merger or consolidation of a Person into Borrower or with or into a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Borrower which constitutes an Acquisition permitted by Section 6.4; provided that (i) Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is the surviving --- -------- entity, (ii) no Change in Control results therefrom, (iii) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom and (iv) Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries execute such amendments to the Loan -64- <PAGE> Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine are appropriate as a result of such merger. 6.4 Acquisitions. Make any Acquisition, except (a) Acquisitions of ------------ ------ a Person engaged in the business of manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale of natural foods, vitamins, supplements and personal care items (and related grocery and other products) and (b) Acquisitions of a Person engaged in another business provided that the purchase price for any such Acquisition shall -------- not exceed $1,000,000; provided that in any case no Default or Event of Default -------- then exists or would result therefrom. 6.5 Distributions. Make any Distribution, whether from capital, ------------- income or otherwise, and whether in Cash or other Property, except: ------ (a) Distributions by any Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (b) dividends payable solely in Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock; (c) repurchases or redemptions of Common Stock owned by sellers of a business which was previously the subject of an Acquisition in accordance with terms binding on Borrower and such sellers at the time of such Acquisition; and (d) Distributions with respect to Common Stock in any Fiscal Year not in excess of 50% of Net Income for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year; provided that, in any case, no Default or Event of Default -------- then exists or would result therefrom. 6.6 ERISA. At any time, permit any Pension Plan to: (i) engage ----- in any non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code); (ii) fail to comply with ERISA or any other applicable Laws; (iii) incur any material "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA); or (iv) terminate in any manner, which, with respect to each event listed above, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (b) withdraw, completely or partially, from any Multiemployer Plan if to do so could reasonably be -65- <PAGE> expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. 6.7 Change in Nature of Business. Make any material change in the ---------------------------- nature of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, it being understood that such business consists of the manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale of natural foods, vitamins, supplements and personal care items (and related grocery and other products). 6.8 Liens and Negative Pledges. Create, incur, assume or suffer to -------------------------- exist any Lien or Negative Pledge of any nature upon or with respect to any of their respective Properties, or engage in any sale and leaseback transaction with respect to any of their respective Properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except: ------ (a) Liens and Negative Pledges existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in Schedule 4.7 and any renewals/extensions or amendments ------------ thereof, provided that the obligations secured or benefited thereby are not -------- increased; (b) Liens existing on the Closing Date in favor of lessors of Real Property occupied by Borrower, which Liens attach solely to Property located on such Real Property, to secure the obligations of Borrower to the lessor under the lease covering each such Real Property, and any renewals, extensions or amendments thereof arising in connection with the renewal, extension or amendment of the related lease; (c) Liens and Negative Pledges under the Loan Documents; (d) Permitted Encumbrances; (e) Liens on Property acquired by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that were in existence at the time of the acquisition of such Property and were not created in contemplation of such acquisition; (f) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.9(e) on ----- and limited to the land or capital assets acquired, constructed or financed with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or with the proceeds of any Indebtedness directly or indirectly refinanced by such Indebtedness; and -66- <PAGE> (g) Sale and leaseback transactions with respect to any Real Property owned by Borrower; provided that such transaction is with a Person -------- not an Affiliate of Borrower and the net cash proceeds therefrom are promptly thereafter applied as a voluntary prepayment of the Notes. 6.9 Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations. Create, incur or assume ------------------------------------- any Indebtedness or Guaranty Obligation except: ------ (a) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in Schedule 6.9, and refinancings, renewals, ------------ extensions or amendments that do not increase the amount thereof; (b) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations under the Loan Documents; (c) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations owed to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (d) Indebtedness of an Acquired Company that is secured solely by a Lien permitted by Section 6.8(e) ; ------ (e) Indebtedness consisting of Capital Lease Obligations, or otherwise incurred to finance the purchase or construction of capital assets (which shall be deemed to exist if the Indebtedness is incurred at or within 90 days before or after the purchase or construction of the capital asset), or to refinance any such Indebtedness, provided that the -------- principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred in any period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters does not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate; (f) Indebtedness consisting of Interest Rate Protection Agreements; and (g) Guaranty Obligations in support of the obligations of a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, provided that such obligations are not prohibited -------- by this Agreement. -67- <PAGE> 6.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any ---------------------------- kind with any Affiliate of Borrower other than (a) salary, bonus, employee stock ---------- option and other compensation arrangements with directors or officers in the ordinary course of business, (b) transactions that are fully disclosed to the board of directors (or executive committee thereof) of Borrower and expressly authorized by a resolution of the board of directors (or executive committee) of Borrower which is approved by a majority of the directors (or executive committee) not having an interest in the transaction, (c) transactions between or among Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (d) transactions on overall terms at least as favorable to Borrower or its Subsidiaries as would be the case in an arm's-length transaction between unrelated parties of equal bargaining power. 6.11 Funded Debt Ratio. Permit the Funded Debt Ratio, as of the last ----------------- day of any Fiscal Quarter, to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite the period during which such day occurs: Period Ratio ------ ----- Closing Date through December 31, 1999 3.00 to 1.00 January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000 2.75 to 1.00 January 1, 2001 and 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter 6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage --------------------------- Ratio, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. 6.13 Stockholders' Equity. Permit Stockholders' Equity, as of the -------------------- last day of any Fiscal Quarter, to be less than the sum of (a) $146,000,000, ------ plus (b) 50% of Net Income in each Fiscal Quarter ending after January 2, 1999 ---- (with no deduction for a net loss in any such Fiscal Quarter) plus (c) 100% of ---- the proceeds of any issuance by Borrower of equity securities (except to ------ employees or former employees of Borrower pursuant to an employee stock option plan maintained by Borrower) subsequent to the Closing Date. -68- <PAGE> 6.14 Investments. Make or suffer to exist any Investment, other than: ----------- ----- ---- (a) Investments in existence on the Closing Date and disclosed on Schedule 6.14; ------------- (b) Investments consisting of Cash Equivalents; (c) Investments in a Person that is the subject of an Acquisition permitted by Section 6.4; --- (d) Investments consisting of advances to officers, directors and employees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for travel, entertainment, relocation, anticipated bonus and analogous ordinary business purposes; (e) Investments of Borrower in any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and Investments of any such Subsidiary in another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (f) Investments consisting of the extension of credit to customers or suppliers of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and any Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof; (g) Investments received in connection with the settlement of a bona fide dispute with another Person; (h) Investments representing all or a portion of the sales price of Property sold or services provided to another Person; and (i) Investments not described above not in excess of $50,000 in any Fiscal Year. 6.15 Subsidiary Indebtedness. Permit (whether or not otherwise ----------------------- permitted under Section 6.9) any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer --- to exist any Indebtedness or Guaranty Obligation, except (a) Indebtedness and ------ Guaranty Obligations in existence on the Closing Date, (b) the Subsidiary Guaranty, (c) Indebtedness owed to Borrower or another Subsidiary of Borrower and (d) Capital Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations of a Subsidiary in respect of -69- <PAGE> Property used by that Subsidiary. Article 7 INFORMATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS -------------------------------------- 7.1 Financial and Business Information. So long as any Advance ---------------------------------- remains unpaid, or any other Obligation remains unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains in force, Borrower shall, unless the Administrative Agent (with the written approval of the Requisite Lenders) otherwise consents, at Borrower's sole expense, deliver to the Administrative Agent for distribution by it to the Lenders, a sufficient number of copies for all of the Lenders of the following: (a) As soon as practicable, and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (other than the fourth Fiscal Quarter ----- ---- in any Fiscal Year), the consolidated and consolidating (by store) balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the consolidated and consolidating (by store) statements of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter, and the portion of the Fiscal Year ended with such Fiscal Quarter, all in reasonable detail. Such financial statements shall be certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (other than footnote disclosures), consistently applied, as at such date and for such periods, subject only to normal year-end accruals and audit adjustments; (b) As soon as practicable, and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a Pricing Certificate setting forth a calculation of the Funded Debt Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, and providing reasonable detail as to the calculation thereof, which calculations in the case of the fourth Fiscal Quarter in any Fiscal Year shall be based on the preliminary unaudited financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter, and as soon as practicable thereafter, in the event of any material variance in the actual calculation of the Funded Debt Ratio from such preliminary calculation, a revised Pricing Certificate setting forth the actual calculation thereof; -70- <PAGE> (c) As soon as practicable, and in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the consolidated and consolidating (by store) balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the consolidated and consolidating (by store) statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows, in each case of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail. Such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and such consolidated financial statements shall be accompanied by a report of Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized standing selected by Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders, which report shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as at such date, and shall not be subject to any qualifications or exceptions as to the scope of the audit nor to any other qualification or exception determined by the Requisite Lenders in their good faith business judgment to constitute a Material Adverse Effect; (d) As soon as practicable, and in any event not later than thirty (30) days before the commencement of each Fiscal Year, a budget and projection by Fiscal Quarter for that Fiscal Year and by Fiscal Year for the next two succeeding Fiscal Years, including for the first such Fiscal --------- Year, projected consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flow and, for the second and third such Fiscal Years, projected consolidated condensed balance sheets and statements of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all in reasonable detail; (e) Promptly after request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them; (f) Promptly after the same (if any) are available, and in any event within five (5) Banking Days after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which -71- <PAGE> Borrower may file or be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to other provisions of this Section 7.1; --- (g) Promptly after request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any other report or other document that was filed by Borrower with any Governmental Agency; (h) Promptly upon a Senior Officer becoming aware, and in any event within five (5) Banking Days after becoming aware, of the occurrence of any (i) "reportable event" (as such term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA, but excluding such events as to which the PBGC has by regulation --------- waived the requirement therein contained that it be notified within thirty days of the occurrence of such event) or (ii) non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Pension Plan or any trust created thereunder, telephonic notice specifying the nature thereof, and, no more than two (2) Banking Days after such telephonic notice, written notice again specifying the nature thereof and specifying what action Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto; (i) As soon as practicable, and in any event within two (2) Banking Days after a Senior Officer becomes aware of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, telephonic notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and, no more than two (2) Banking Days after such telephonic notice, written notice again specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and specifying what action Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; (j) Promptly upon a Senior Officer becoming aware that (i) any Person has commenced a legal proceeding with respect to a claim against Borrower that is $1,000,000 or more in excess of the amount thereof that is fully covered by insurance, (ii) any creditor under a credit agreement involving Indebtedness of $5,000,000 or more has given written notice of a default thereunder on the part of Borrower, (iii) any lessor under a lease involving -72- <PAGE> aggregate rent of $5,000,000 or more has commenced a legal action claiming a default thereunder on the part of Borrower or (iv) any Person has commenced a legal proceeding with respect to a claim against Borrower under a contract that is not a credit agreement or material lease with respect to a claim of in excess of $1,000,000 or which otherwise may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, a written notice describing the pertinent facts relating thereto and what action Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; and (k) Such other data and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) or the Requisite Lenders. 7.2 Compliance Certificates. So long as any Advance remains unpaid, ----------------------- or any other Obligation remains unpaid or unperformed, or any portion of the Commitments remains outstanding, Borrower shall, at Borrower's sole expense, deliver to the Administrative Agent for distribution by it to the Lenders concurrently with the financial statements required pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) ------ and 7.1(c), a Compliance Certificate signed by a Senior Officer. ------ Article 8 CONDITIONS ---------- 8.1 Initial Advances, Etc. The obligation of each Lender to make the ---------------------- initial Advance to be made by it, and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue the initial Letter of Credit, is subject to the following conditions precedent, each of which shall be satisfied prior to the making of the initial Advances (unless all of the Lenders, in their sole and absolute discretion, shall agree otherwise): (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received all of the following, each of which shall be originals unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Official of each party thereto, each dated as of the Closing Date and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its legal counsel (unless otherwise specified or, in the case of the date of any of the following, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees or directs): -73- <PAGE> (1) at least one (1) executed counterpart of this Agreement, together with arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for additional executed counterparts, sufficient in number for distribution to the Lenders and Borrower; (2) Line A Notes executed by Borrower in favor of each Lender, each in a principal amount equal to that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Line A Commitment; (3) Line B Notes executed by Borrower in favor of each Lender, each in a principal amount equal to that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Line B Commitment. (4) the Subsidiary Guaranty executed by all Subsidiary Guarantors; (5) the Swing Line Documents executed by Borrower; (6) with respect to Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to establish the due organization, valid existence and good standing of Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, their qualification to engage in business in each material jurisdiction in which it is engaged in business or required to be so qualified, their authority to execute, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a Party, the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Official thereof authorized to act on its behalf, including certified --------- copies of articles of incorporation and amendments thereto, bylaws and amendments thereto, certificates of good standing and/or qualification to engage in business, tax clearance certificates, certificates of corporate resolutions, incumbency certificates, Certificates of Responsible Officials, and the like; (7) the Opinion of Counsel; (8) a Certificate of a Responsible Official of Borrower -74- <PAGE> certifying that the representation contained in Section 4.17 is, to ---- the best of his or her knowledge, true and correct; (9) a Certificate of a Responsible Official of Borrower certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 8.1(h) and 8.1(i) ----- ------ have been satisfied; and (10) such other assurances, certificates, documents or consents as the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders reasonably may require, as may be notified to Borrower at least two (2) Banking Days prior to the Closing Date. (b) The arrangement fee payable pursuant to Section 3.2 shall --- have been paid. (c) The participation fee payable pursuant to Section 3.3 shall --- have been paid. (d) The agency fee payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall have --- been paid. (e) All Indebtedness outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility shall have been (or shall concurrently be) paid and the same shall, together with any Liens securing such Indebtedness, have been (or shall concurrently be) terminated. (f) The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied with the results of its review of the Projections. (g) The reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation of the Loan Documents payable pursuant to Section 11.3, and invoiced to Borrower prior to the Closing ---- Date, shall have been paid. (h) The representations and warranties of Borrower contained in Article 4 shall be true and correct in all material respects. --------- -75- <PAGE> (i) Borrower and any other Parties shall be in compliance with all the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents, and giving effect to the initial Advance, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. (j) All legal matters relating to the Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, special counsel to the Administrative Agent. (k) The Closing Date shall have occurred on or before March 10, 1999. 8.2 Advances Under Line B Commitment. The obligation of each Lender -------------------------------- to make any Advance under the Line B Commitment is subject to the condition precedent that, at the date of such Advance, there exists no availability for further Advances under the Line A Commitment. 8.3 Any Advance, Etc. The obligation of each Lender to make any ----------------- Advance, and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit, is subject to the following conditions precedent (unless the Requisite Lenders or, in any case where the approval of all of the Lenders is required pursuant to Section 11.2, all of the Lenders, in their sole and absolute discretion, shall ---- agree otherwise): (a) except (i) for representations and warranties which ------ expressly speak as of a particular date or are no longer true and correct as a result of a change which is permitted by this Agreement or (ii) as disclosed by Borrower and approved in writing by the Requisite Lenders, the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 (other than Sections --------- ---------- 4.4(a), 4.6 (first sentence), 4.10 and 4.17) shall be true and correct in ------ --- ---- ---- all material respects on and as of the date of the Advance as though made on that date; (b) no circumstance or event shall have occurred that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect since the Closing Date; (c) other than matters described in Schedule 4.10 or not ------------- required as of the Closing Date to be therein described, there shall not be, to the best knowledge of a Senior Officer of Borrower, then pending or threatened any -76- <PAGE> action, suit, proceeding or investigation against or affecting Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Property of any of them before any Governmental Agency that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect; (d) the Administrative Agent shall have timely received a Request for Loan (or telephonic or other request for Loan referred to in the second sentence of Section 2.1(c), if applicable), or a Request for ------ Letter of Credit (as applicable), in compliance with Article 2; and --------- (e) the Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such other assurances, certificates, documents or consents related to the foregoing as the Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders reasonably may require. -77- <PAGE> Article 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT ---------------------------------------------------- 9.1 Events of Default. The existence or occurrence of any one or ----------------- more of the following events, whatever the reason therefor and under any circumstances whatsoever, shall constitute an Event of Default: (a) Borrower fails to pay any principal on any of the Notes, or any portion thereof, on the date when due; or (b) Borrower fails to pay any interest on any of the Notes, or any fees under Sections 3.5 or 3.6, or any portion thereof, within two (2) --- --- Banking Days after the date when due; or fails to pay any other fee or amount payable to the Lenders under any Loan Document, or any portion thereof, within seven (7) Banking Days after demand therefor (provided that -------- this Section 9.1(b) shall not apply to any failure to pay any amount not ------ paid at a time when Borrower's general operating bank account with the Administrative Agent has a credit balance in collected funds at least equal to such amount the Administrative Agent is able to, but fails to, debit such account pursuant to Section 3.12(b)); or ------- (c) Borrower fails to comply with any of the covenants contained in Article 6; or --------- (d) Borrower fails to comply with Section 7.1(i) in any respect ------ that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; or (e) Borrower or any other Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) - - - - above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed within twenty (20) Banking Days after the giving of notice by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Requisite Lenders of such Default or, if such Default is not reasonably susceptible of cure within such period, within such longer period as is reasonably necessary to effect a cure so long as Borrower or such Party continues to diligently pursue cure of such Default but not in any event in -78- <PAGE> excess of forty (40) Banking Days; or (f) Any representation or warranty of Borrower or any other Party made in any Loan Document, or in any certificate or other writing delivered by Borrower or such Party pursuant to any Loan Document, proves to have been incorrect when made or reaffirmed in any respect that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; or (g) Borrower (i) fails to pay the principal, or any principal installment, of any present or future Indebtedness of $5,000,000 or more, or any guaranty of present or future Indebtedness of $5,000,000 or more, on its part to be paid, when due (or within any stated grace period), whether at the stated maturity, upon acceleration, by reason of required prepayment or otherwise or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed, or suffers any event of default to occur, in connection with any present or future Indebtedness of $5,000,000 or more, or of any guaranty of present or future Indebtedness of $5,000,000 or more, if as a result of such failure or sufferance any holder or holders thereof (or an agent or trustee on its or their behalf) has the right to declare such Indebtedness due before the date on which it otherwise would become due or the right to require Borrower to redeem or purchase, or offer to redeem or purchase, all or any portion of such Indebtedness; or (h) Any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than the agreement or action (or omission ----- ---- to act) of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, invalid or unenforceable in any respect which is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; or any Party thereto denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind same; or (i) A final judgment against Borrower is entered for the payment of money in excess of $2,000,000 (not covered by insurance or for which an insurer has reserved its rights) and, absent procurement of a stay of execution, such judgment remains unsatisfied for thirty (30) calendar days after the date of entry of judgment, or in any event later than five (5) days prior to the -79- <PAGE> date of any proposed sale thereunder; or any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the Property of Borrower and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) calendar days after its issue or levy; or (j) Borrower institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under a Debtor Relief Law relating to it or to all or any material part of its Property, or is unable or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its Property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of that Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under a Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any part of its Property is instituted without the consent of that Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or (k) The occurrence of an Event of Default (as such term is or may hereafter be specifically defined in any other Loan Document) under any other Loan Document; or (l) Any Pension Plan maintained by Borrower is finally determined by the PBGC to have a material "accumulated funding deficiency" as that term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA in excess of an amount equal to 5% of the consolidated total assets of Borrower as of the most- recently ended Fiscal Quarter; or (m) The Requisite Lenders notify Borrower that they have determined in good faith that a circumstance or event has occurred that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect and such circumstance or event remains unremedied for seven (7) Banking Days (or, if such circumstance or event is not capable of being remedied within such period, for such longer period as it is reasonably necessary to effect a remedy so long as Borrower continues to diligently pursue remedy of such Material Adverse Effect but not in any event longer than twenty (20) Banking Days). -80- <PAGE> 9.2 Remedies Upon Event of Default. Without limiting any other ------------------------------ rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, or the other Loan Documents, or by applicable Law, or in equity, or otherwise: (a) Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any Event of Default other than an Event of Default described in Section ----- ---- 9.1(j): ------ (1) the Commitments to make Advances and all other obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and all rights of Borrower and any other Parties under the Loan Documents shall be suspended without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which are expressly waived by Borrower, except that all of the Lenders or the ------ Requisite Lenders (as the case may be, in accordance with Section 11.2) may waive an Event of Default or, without waiving, determine, ---- upon terms and conditions satisfactory to the Lenders or Requisite Lenders, as the case may be, to reinstate the Commitments and such other obligations and rights and make further Advances, which waiver or determination shall apply equally to, and shall be binding upon, all the Lenders; (2) the Issuing Lender may, with the approval of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Requisite Lenders, demand immediate payment by Borrower of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit to be held by the Issuing Lender in an interest-bearing cash collateral account as collateral hereunder (which shall be returned to Borrower if such Letter of Credit expires undrawn and all other Obligations are then satisfied); and (3) the Requisite Lenders may request the Administrative Agent to, and the Administrative Agent thereupon shall, terminate the Commitments and/or declare all or any part of the unpaid principal of all Notes, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by -81- <PAGE> Borrower. (b) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 9.1(j): ------ (1) the Commitments to make Advances and all other obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and all rights of Borrower and any other Parties under the Loan Documents shall terminate without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which are expressly waived by Borrower, except that all of the Lenders may waive ------ the Event of Default or, without waiving, determine, upon terms and conditions satisfactory to all the Lenders, to reinstate the Commitments and such other obligations and rights and make further Advances, which determination shall apply equally to, and shall be binding upon, all the Lenders; (2) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall be immediately due and payable to the Issuing Lender without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which are expressly waived by Borrower, to be held by the Issuing Lender in an interest-bearing cash collateral account as collateral hereunder (which shall be returned to Borrower if such Letter of Credit expires undrawn and all other Obligations are then satisfied); and (3) the unpaid principal of all Notes, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall be forthwith due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower. (c) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or any of them, without notice to (except as ------ expressly provided for in any Loan Document) or demand upon Borrower, which are expressly waived by Borrower (except as to notices expressly provided ------ for in any Loan Document), may proceed (but only with the consent of the Requisite Lenders) to protect, exercise and enforce their rights and remedies under the Loan Documents against Borrower and any other Party and such other rights and remedies as are provided by Law or equity. -82- <PAGE> (d) The order and manner in which the Lenders' rights and remedies are to be exercised shall be determined by the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion, and all payments received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, or any of them, shall be applied first to the costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) of the Administrative Agent and of the Lenders, and thereafter paid pro rata to the Lenders in the same proportions that the aggregate Obligations owed to each Lender under the Loan Documents bear to the aggregate Obligations owed under the Loan Documents to all the Lenders, without priority or preference among the Lenders. Regardless of how each Lender may treat payments for the purpose of its own accounting, for the purpose of computing Borrower's Obligations hereunder and under the Notes, payments shall be applied first, to the costs and expenses of the Administrative ----- Agent and the Lenders, as set forth above, second, to the payment of ------ accrued and unpaid interest due under any Loan Documents to and including the date of such application (ratably, and without duplication, according to the accrued and unpaid interest due under each of the Loan Documents), and third, to the payment of all other amounts (including principal and ----- fees) then owing to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents. No application of payments will cure any Event of Default, or prevent acceleration, or continued acceleration, of amounts payable under the Loan Documents, or prevent the exercise, or continued exercise, of rights or remedies of the Lenders hereunder or thereunder or at Law or in equity. Article 10 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ------------------------ 10.1 Appointment and Authorization. Subject to Section 10.8, each ----------------------------- ---- Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof or are reasonably incidental, as determined by the Administrative Agent, thereto. This appointment and authorization is intended solely for the purpose of facilitating the servicing of the Loans and does not constitute appointment of the Administrative Agent as trustee for any Lender or as representative of any Lender for any other -83- <PAGE> purpose and, except as specifically set forth in the Loan Documents to the ------ contrary, the Administrative Agent shall take such action and exercise such powers only in an administrative and ministerial capacity. 10.2 Administrative Agent and Affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, National ----------------------------------- Association (and each successor Administrative Agent) has the same rights and powers under the Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" includes Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in its individual capacity. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (and each successor Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof, or any Affiliate of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, as if it were not the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (and each successor Administrative Agent) need not account to any other Lender for any monies received by it for reimbursement of its costs and expenses as Administrative Agent hereunder, or (subject to Section 11.10) for any monies received by it in ----- its capacity as a Lender hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to hold a fiduciary relationship with any Lender and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. 10.3 Proportionate Interest in any Collateral. The Administrative ---------------------------------------- Agent, on behalf of all the Lenders, shall hold in accordance with the Loan Documents all items of any collateral or interests therein received or held by the Administrative Agent. Subject to the Administrative Agent's and the Lenders' rights to reimbursement for their costs and expenses hereunder (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements and other professional ---------- services) and subject to the application of payments in accordance with Section 9.2(d), each Lender shall have an interest in such collateral or interests ------ therein in the same proportions that the aggregate Obligations owed such Lender under the Loan Documents bear to the aggregate Obligations owed under the Loan Documents to all the Lenders, without priority or preference among the Lenders. 10.4 Lenders' Credit Decisions. Each Lender agrees that it has, ------------------------- independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or the directors, officers, agents, employees or attorneys of the Administrative Agent or -84- <PAGE> of any other Lender, and instead in reliance upon information supplied to it by or on behalf of Borrower and upon such other information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own independent credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also agrees that it shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or the directors, officers, agents, employees or attorneys of the Administrative Agent or of any other Lender, continue to make its own independent credit analyses and decisions in acting or not acting under the Loan Documents. 10.5 Action by Administrative Agent. ------------------------------ (a) Absent actual knowledge of the Administrative Agent of the existence of a Default, the Administrative Agent may assume that no Default has occurred and is continuing, unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from Borrower stating the nature of the Default or has received notice from a Lender stating the nature of the Default and that such Lender considers the Default to have occurred and to be continuing. (b) The Administrative Agent has only those obligations under the Loan Documents as are expressly set forth therein. (c) Except for any obligation expressly set forth in the Loan ------ Documents and as long as the Administrative Agent may assume that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, exercise its discretion to act or not act, except that the Administrative Agent shall be required to act or not act ------ upon the instructions of the Requisite Lenders (or of all the Lenders, to the extent required by Section 11.2) and those instructions shall be ---- binding upon the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders, provided that -------- the Administrative Agent shall not be required to act or not act if to do so would be contrary to any Loan Document or to applicable Law or would result, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, in substantial risk of liability to the Administrative Agent. (d) If the Administrative Agent has received a notice specified in clause (a), the Administrative Agent shall immediately give notice - thereof to the Lenders and shall act or not act upon the instructions of the Requisite -85- <PAGE> Lenders (or of all the Lenders, to the extent required by Section 11.2), ---- provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to act or not -------- act if to do so would be contrary to any Loan Document or to applicable Law or would result, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, in substantial risk of liability to the Administrative Agent, and except that ------ if the Requisite Lenders (or all the Lenders, if required under Section 11.2) fail, for five (5) Banking Days after the receipt of notice from the ---- Administrative Agent, to instruct the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may act or not act as it deems advisable for the protection of the interests of the Lenders. (e) The Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any Lender for acting, or not acting, as instructed by the Requisite Lenders (or all the Lenders, if required under Section 11.2), notwithstanding any ---- other provision hereof. 10.6 Liability of Administrative Agent. Neither the Administrative --------------------------------- Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or attorneys shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by them under or in connection with the Loan Documents, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. ------ Without limitation on the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and its directors, officers, agents, employees and attorneys: (a) May treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof until the Administrative Agent receives notice of the assignment or transfer thereof, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, signed by the payee, and may treat each Lender as the owner of that Lender's interest in the Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement until the Administrative Agent receives notice of the assignment or transfer thereof, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, signed by that Lender; (b) May consult with legal counsel (including in-house legal --------- counsel), accountants (including in-house accountants) and other --------- professionals or experts selected by it, or with legal counsel, accountants or other professionals or experts for Borrower and/or their Subsidiaries or the Lenders, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in good faith in accordance with any advice of such legal counsel, accountants or other professionals or experts; -86- <PAGE> (c) Shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statement, warranty or representation made in any of the Loan Documents or in any notice, certificate, report, request or other statement (written or oral) given or made in connection with any of the Loan Documents; (d) Except to the extent expressly set forth in the Loan ------ Documents, shall have no duty to ask or inquire as to the performance or observance by Borrower or its Subsidiaries of any of the terms, conditions or covenants of any of the Loan Documents or to inspect any collateral or any Property, books or records of Borrower or their Subsidiaries; (e) Will not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, effectiveness, sufficiency or value of any Loan Document, any other instrument or writing furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, or any collateral; (f) Will not incur any liability by acting or not acting in reliance upon any Loan Document, notice, consent, certificate, statement, request or other instrument or writing believed in good faith by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties; and (g) Will not incur any liability for any arithmetical error in computing any amount paid or payable by Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof or paid or payable to or received or receivable from any Lender under any Loan Document, including, without limitation, principal, --------- interest, commitment fees, Advances and other amounts; provided that, -------- promptly upon discovery of such an error in computation, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and (to the extent applicable) Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall make such adjustments as are necessary to correct such error and to restore the parties to the position that they would have occupied had the error not occurred. 10.7 Indemnification. Each Lender shall, ratably in accordance with --------------- its Pro Rata Share of the Commitments (if the Commitments are then in effect) or in accordance with its proportion of the aggregate Indebtedness then evidenced by the Notes (if the Commitments have then been terminated), indemnify and hold the -87- <PAGE> Administrative Agent and its directors, officers, agents, employees and attorneys harmless against any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action and any and all liabilities, losses, costs or expenses related thereto (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) that may be imposed on, ---------- incurred by or asserted against it or them in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents (other than losses incurred by reason of the failure of Borrower to pay the Indebtedness represented by the Notes) or any action taken or not taken by it as Administrative Agent thereunder, except such as result ------ from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation on the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for that Lender's Pro Rata Share of any out-of-pocket cost or expense incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, amendment, waiver, restructuring, reorganization (including --------- a bankruptcy reorganization), enforcement or attempted enforcement of the Loan Documents, to the extent that Borrower or any other Party is required by Section 11.3 to pay that cost or expense but fails to do so upon demand. Nothing in ---- this Section 10.7 shall entitle the Administrative Agent or any indemnitee ---- referred to above to recover any amount from the Lenders if and to the extent that such amount has theretofore been recovered from Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. To the extent that the Administrative Agent or any indemnitee referred to above is later reimbursed such amount by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, it shall return the amounts paid to it by the Lenders in respect of such amount. 10.8 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may, ------------------------------ and at the request of the Requisite Lenders shall, resign as Administrative Agent upon reasonable notice to the Lenders and Borrower effective upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Requisite Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor Administrative Agent for the Lenders, which successor Administrative Agent shall be approved by Borrower (and such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor Administrative Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and Borrower, a successor Administrative Agent from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such successor Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent's -88- <PAGE> appointment, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article 10, and Sections 11.3, ---------- ---- 11.11 and 11.22, shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted ----- ----- to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (a) the Administrative Agent has not been paid its agency fees under Section 3.5 or has not been reimbursed for any expense --- reimbursable to it under Section 11.3, in either case for a period of at least ---- one (1) year and (b) no successor Administrative Agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is thirty (30) days following a retiring Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall designate a Lender to receive all notices from Borrower during this period but all of the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Requisite Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. 10.9 No Obligations of Borrower. Nothing contained in this Article -------------------------- 10 shall be deemed to impose upon Borrower any obligation in respect of the due and punctual performance by the Administrative Agent of its obligations to the Lenders under any provision of this Agreement, and Borrower shall have no liability to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders in respect of any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to perform any of its obligations to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where any provision of this Agreement relating to the payment of any amounts due and owing under the Loan Documents provides that such payments shall be made by Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, Borrower's obligations to the Lenders in respect of such payments shall be deemed to be satisfied upon the making of such payments to the Administrative Agent in the manner provided by this Agreement. In addition, Borrower may rely on a written statement by the Administrative Agent to the effect that it has obtained the written consent of the Requisite Lenders or all of the Lenders, as applicable under Section 11.2, ---- in connection with a waiver, amendment, consent, approval or other action by the Lenders hereunder, and shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the same. Article 11 -89- <PAGE> MISCELLANEOUS ------------- 11.1 Cumulative Remedies; No Waiver. The rights, powers, privileges ------------------------------ and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders provided herein or in any Note or other Loan Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any right, power, privilege or remedy provided by Law or equity. No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power, privilege or remedy may be, or may be deemed to be, a waiver thereof; nor may any single or partial exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or any other right, power, privilege or remedy. The terms and conditions of Article 8 hereof are inserted --------- for the sole benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; the same may be waived in whole or in part, with or without terms or conditions, in respect of any Loan without prejudicing the Administrative Agent's or the Lenders' rights to assert them in whole or in part in respect of any other Loan. 11.2 Amendments; Consents. No amendment, modification, supplement, -------------------- extension, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no approval or consent thereunder, and no consent to any departure by Borrower or any other Party therefrom, may in any event be effective unless in writing signed by the Administrative Agent with the written approval of the Requisite Lenders (and, in the case of any amendment, modification or supplement of or to any Loan Document to which Borrower is a Party, signed by Borrower, and, in the case of any amendment, modification or supplement to Article 10, signed by the Administrative Agent), and then only in ---------- the specific instance and for the specific purpose given; and, without the approval in writing of all the Lenders, no amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver or consent may be effective: (a) To amend or modify the principal of, or the amount of principal, principal prepayments or the rate of interest payable on, any Note, or the amount of the Commitments or the Pro Rata Share of any Lender or the amount of any commitment fee payable to any Lender, or any other fee or amount payable to any Lender under the Loan Documents or to waive an Event of Default consisting of the failure of Borrower to pay when due principal, interest or any fee; (b) To postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, -90- <PAGE> prepayment of principal of or any installment of interest on, any Note or any installment of any fee, or to extend the term of the Commitments; (c) To amend the provisions of the definition of "Requisite --------- Lenders" or "Line A Maturity Date" or "Line B Maturity Date"; or ------- -------------------- -------------------- (d) To release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty; (e) To amend or waive Article 8 or this Section 11.2; or --------- ---- (f) To amend any provision of this Agreement that expressly requires the consent or approval of all the Lenders. Any amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver or consent pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall apply equally to, and shall be binding upon, all the ---- Lenders and the Administrative Agent. 11.3 Costs and Expenses. Borrower shall pay within seven (7) Banking ------------------ Days after demand, accompanied by an invoice therefor, the reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, syndication, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and any amendment thereto or waiver thereof. Borrower shall also pay on demand, accompanied by an invoice therefor, the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the refinancing, restructuring, reorganization (including a bankruptcy --------- reorganization) and enforcement or attempted enforcement of the Loan Documents, and any matter related thereto. The foregoing costs and expenses shall include filing fees, recording fees, title insurance fees, appraisal fees, search fees, and other out-of-pocket expenses and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of any legal counsel, independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, whether or not such costs and expenses are incurred or suffered by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with or during the course of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings of any of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof. Any amount payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under this Section 11.3 shall bear ---- interest from the seventh Banking Day following the date of demand for payment at the Default Rate. -91- <PAGE> 11.4 Nature of Lenders' Obligations. The obligations of the Lenders ------------------------------ hereunder are several and not joint or joint and several. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and no action taken by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or any of them pursuant hereto or thereto may, or may be deemed to, make the Lenders a partnership, an association, a joint venture or other entity, either among themselves or with the Borrower or any Affiliate of any of Borrower. A default by any Lender will not increase the Pro Rata Share of the Commitments attributable to any other Lender. Any Lender not in default may, if it desires, assume in such proportion as the nondefaulting Lenders agree the obligations of any Lender in default, but is not obligated to do so. The Administrative Agent agrees that it will use its best efforts either to induce promptly the other Lenders to assume the obligations of a Lender in default or to obtain promptly another Lender, reasonably satisfactory to Borrower, to replace such a Lender in default. 11.5 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations ------------------------------------------ and warranties contained herein or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate or other writing delivered by or on behalf of any one or more of the Parties to any Loan Document, will survive the making of the Loans hereunder and the execution and delivery of the Notes, and have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, notwithstanding any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf. 11.6 Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Loan ------- ------ Documents, all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications provided for hereunder or under any other Loan Document must be in writing and must be mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, dispatched by commercial courier or delivered to the appropriate party at the address set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement or other applicable Loan Document or, as to any party to any Loan Document, at any other address as may be designated by it in a written notice sent to all other parties to such Loan Document in accordance with this Section. Except as otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document, if any ------ notice, request, demand, direction or other communication required or permitted by any Loan Document is given by mail it will be effective on the earlier of receipt or the fourth Banking Day after deposit in the United States mail with first class or airmail postage prepaid; if given by telegraph or cable, when delivered to the telegraph company with charges prepaid; if given by telecopier, when sent; if dispatched by commercial courier, on the scheduled delivery date; or if given by personal delivery, when delivered. -92- <PAGE> 11.7 Execution of Loan Documents. Unless the Administrative Agent --------------------------- otherwise specifies with respect to any Loan Document, (a) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be executed in any number of counterparts and any party hereto or thereto may execute any counterpart, each of which when executed and delivered will be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the case may be, when taken together will be deemed to be but one and the same instrument and (b) execution of any such counterpart may be evidenced by a telecopier transmission of the signature of such party. The execution of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party hereto or thereto will not become effective until counterparts hereof or thereof, as the case may be, have been executed by all the parties hereto or thereto. 11.8 Binding Effect; Assignment. -------------------------- (a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a Party will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each of the Lenders, and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign its ------ rights hereunder or thereunder or any interest herein or therein without the prior written consent of all the Lenders. Each Lender represents that it is not acquiring its Note with a view to the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (subject to any requirement that disposition of such Note must be within the control of such Lender). Any Lender may at any time pledge its Note or any other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement to a Federal Reserve Bank, but no such pledge shall release that Lender from its obligations hereunder or grant to such Federal Reserve Bank the rights of a Lender hereunder absent foreclosure of such pledge. (b) From time to time following the Closing Date, each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or any portion of its Pro Rata Share of the Commitments; provided that (i) such Eligible Assignee, if -------- not then a Lender or an Affiliate of the assigning Lender, shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and (if no Event of Default then exists) Borrower (neither of which approvals shall be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) such assignment shall be evidenced by a Commitments Assignment and Acceptance, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent as hereinbelow -93- <PAGE> provided, (iii) except in the case of an assignment to an Affiliate of the ------ assigning Lender, to another Lender or of the entire remaining Commitments of the assigning Lender, the assignment shall not assign a Pro Rata Share of the Commitments that is equivalent to less than $5,000,000 and (iv) the effective date of any such assignment shall be as specified in the Commitments Assignment and Acceptance, but not earlier than the date which is five (5) Banking Days after the date the Administrative Agent has received the Commitments Assignment and Acceptance. Upon the effective date of such Commitments Assignment and Acceptance, the Eligible Assignee named therein shall be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement, with the Pro Rata Share of the Commitments therein set forth and, to the extent of such Pro Rata Share, the assigning Lender shall be released from its further obligations under this Agreement. Borrower agrees that it shall execute and deliver (against delivery by the assigning Lender to Borrower of its Note) to such assignee Lender, Notes evidencing that assignee Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Commitments, and to the assigning Lender, Notes evidencing the remaining balance Pro Rata Share retained by the assigning Lender. (c) By executing and delivering a Commitments Assignment and Acceptance, the Eligible Assignee thereunder acknowledges and agrees that: (i) other than the representation and warranty that the assigning Lender is the legal and beneficial owner of the Pro Rata Share of the Commitments being assigned thereby free and clear of any Lien or other adverse claim, the assigning Lender has made no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (ii) the assigning Lender has made no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrower or the performance by Borrower of the Obligations; (iii) it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 and such other documents and information --- as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Commitments Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this -94- <PAGE> Agreement; (v) it appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by this Agreement; and (vi) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender. (d) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at the Administrative Agent's Office a copy of each Commitments Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register") of the names and address of each of the Lenders and the Pro Rata Share of the Commitments held by each Lender, giving effect to each Commitments Assignment and Acceptance. The Register shall be available during normal business hours for inspection by Borrower or any Lender upon reasonable prior notice to the Administrative Agent. After receipt of a completed Commitments Assignment and Acceptance executed by any Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and receipt of an assignment fee of $3,500 from such Lender or Eligible Assignee, the Administrative Agent shall, promptly following the effective date thereof, provide to Borrower and the Lenders a revised Schedule 1.1 ------------ giving effect thereto. Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the Pro Rata Share of the Commitments listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Pro Rata Share of the Commitments shall be effective, in each case unless and until a Commitments Assignment and Acceptance effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been accepted by the Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided above. Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Pro Rata Share of the Commitments shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Pro Rata Share of the Commitments. (e) Each Lender may from time to time grant participations to one or more banks or other financial institutions in a portion of its Pro Rata Share of the Commitments; provided, however, that (i) such Lender's -------- ------- obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall -95- <PAGE> remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other financial institutions shall not be a Lender hereunder for any purpose except, if the ------ participation agreement so provides, for the purposes of Sections 3.7, 3.8, --- --- 11.11 and 11.22 but only to the extent that the cost of such benefits to ----- ----- Borrower does not exceed the cost which Borrower would have incurred in respect of such Lender absent the participation, (iv) Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (v) the participation interest shall be expressed as a percentage of the granting Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Commitments as it then exists and shall not restrict an increase in the Commitments, or in the granting Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Commitments, so long as the amount of the participation interest is not affected thereby and (vi) the consent of the holder of such participation interest shall not be required for amendments or waivers of provisions of the Loan Documents other than those which (A) extend the Line A Maturity Date, the Line B ---------- Maturity Date or any other date upon which any payment of money is due to the Lenders, (B) reduce the rate of interest on the Notes, any fee or any other monetary amount payable to the Lenders, (C) reduce the amount of any installment of principal due under the Notes or (D) release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty. 11.9 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default has occurred and is --------------- continuing, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (but in each case only with the consent of the Requisite Lenders) may exercise its rights under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable Laws and, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws, apply any funds in any deposit account maintained with it by Borrower and/or any Property of Borrower in its possession against the Obligations. 11.10 Sharing of Setoffs. Each Lender severally agrees that if it, ------------------ through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim against Borrower, or otherwise, receives payment of the Obligations held by it that is ratably more than any other Lender, through any means, receives in payment of the Obligations held by that Lender, then, subject to applicable Laws: (a) the Lender exercising the right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim or otherwise receiving such payment shall purchase, and shall be deemed to have simultaneously purchased, from each of the other Lenders a participation in the Obligations held by the other Lenders -96- <PAGE> and shall pay to the other Lenders a purchase price in an amount so that the share of the Obligations held by each Lender after the exercise of the right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment shall be in the same proportion that existed prior to the exercise of the right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment; and (b) such other adjustments and purchases of participations shall be made from time to time as shall be equitable to ensure that all of the Lenders share any payment obtained in respect of the Obligations ratably in accordance with each Lender's share of the Obligations immediately prior to, and without taking into account, the payment; provided that, if all or any portion of a disproportionate payment obtained as a -------- result of the exercise of the right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or otherwise is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender by Borrower or any Person claiming through or succeeding to the rights of Borrower, the purchase of a participation shall be rescinded and the purchase price thereof shall be restored to the extent of the recovery, but without interest. Each Lender that purchases a participation in the Obligations pursuant to this Section 11.10 ----- shall from and after the purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased. Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Lender holding a participation in an Obligation so purchased pursuant to this Section 11.10 may exercise any and all rights of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim ----- with respect to the participation as fully as if the Lender were the original owner of the Obligation purchased. 11.11 Indemnity by Borrower. Borrower agrees to indemnify, save and --------------------- hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective directors, officers, agents, attorneys and employees (collectively the "Indemnitees") from and against: (a) any and all claims, demands, actions or ------------ causes of action (except a claim, demand, action, or cause of action for any ------ amount excluded from the definition of "Taxes" in Section 3.12(d)) if the claim, ------- demand, action or cause of action arises out of or relates to any act or omission (or alleged act or omission) of Borrower, its Affiliates or any of its officers, directors or stockholders relating to the Commitments, the use or contemplated use of proceeds of any Loan, or the relationship of Borrower and the Lenders under this Agreement; (b) any administrative or investigative proceeding by any Governmental Agency arising out of or related to a claim, demand, action or cause of action described in clause (a) above; and (c) any and - all liabilities, losses, costs or -97- <PAGE> expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that any Indemnitee suffers or --------- incurs as a result of the assertion of any foregoing claim, demand, action or cause of action; provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to -------- indemnification for any loss caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or for any loss asserted against it by another Indemnitee. If any claim, demand, action or cause of action is asserted against any Indemnitee, such Indemnitee shall promptly notify Borrower, but the failure to so promptly notify Borrower shall not affect Borrower's obligations under this Section unless such failure materially prejudices Borrower's right to participate in the contest of such claim, demand, action or cause of action, as hereinafter provided. Such Indemnitee may (and shall, if requested by Borrower in writing) contest the validity, applicability and amount of such claim, demand, action or cause of action and shall permit Borrower to participate in such contest. Any Indemnitee that proposes to settle or compromise any claim or proceeding for which Borrower may be liable for payment of indemnity hereunder shall give Borrower written notice of the terms of such proposed settlement or compromise reasonably in advance of settling or compromising such claim or proceeding and shall obtain Borrower's prior consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In connection with any claim, demand, action or cause of action covered by this Section 11.11 against more than one ----- Indemnitee, all such Indemnitees shall be represented by the same legal counsel (which may be a law firm engaged by the Indemnitees or attorneys employed by an Indemnitee or a combination of the foregoing) selected by the Indemnitees and reasonably acceptable to Borrower; provided, that if such legal counsel -------- determines in good faith that representing all such Indemnitees would or could result in a conflict of interest under Laws or ethical principles applicable to such legal counsel or that a defense or counterclaim is available to an Indemnitee that is not available to all such Indemnitees, then to the extent reasonably necessary to avoid such a conflict of interest or to permit unqualified assertion of such a defense or counterclaim, each affected Indemnitee shall be entitled to separate representation by legal counsel selected by that Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to Borrower, with all such legal counsel using reasonable efforts to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort by counsel for all Indemnitees; and further provided that the ------- -------- Administrative Agent (as an Indemnitee) shall at all times be entitled to representation by separate legal counsel (which may be a law firm or attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or a combination of the foregoing). Borrower may, upon reasonable prior notice to any Indemnitee, assume control (at the sole expense of Borrower) of the defense of the claim against such Indemnitee through legal counsel selected by Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee, subject to the same proviso with respect to separate counsel as set forth above, and if -98- <PAGE> Borrower exercises this right to take control, the Indemnitee shall nevertheless have the right to participate in the defense of such claim. Any obligation or liability of Borrower to any Indemnitee under this Section 11.11 shall survive ----- the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the repayment of all Loans and the payment and performance of all other Obligations owed to the Lenders. 11.12 Nonliability of the Lenders. Borrower acknowledges and agrees --------------------------- that: (a) Any inspections of any Property of Borrower made by or through the Administrative Agent or the Lenders are for purposes of administration of the Loan only, but Borrower shall be permitted, at its request, to obtain a copy of any report prepared by a consultant to the Administrative Agent that does not contain confidential privileged communications between such consultant and the Administrative Agent provided that the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility to -------- Borrower with respect to the contents of such report; (b) By accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed, fulfilled or given to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall be deemed to have warranted or represented the sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, or of any term, provision or condition thereof, and such acceptance or approval thereof shall not constitute a warranty or representation to anyone with respect thereto by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders; (c) The relationship between Borrower and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is, and shall at all times remain, solely that of borrower and lenders; neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall under any circumstance be construed to be partners or joint venturers of Borrower or its Affiliates; neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall under any circumstance be deemed to be in a relationship of confidence or trust or a fiduciary relationship with Borrower or its Affiliates, or to owe any fiduciary duty to Borrower or its Affiliates; neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders undertake or assume any responsibility or duty to Borrower or its Affiliates to select, review, inspect, supervise, pass judgment upon or inform -99- <PAGE> Borrower or its Affiliates of any matter in connection with their Property or the operations of Borrower or its Affiliates; Borrower and its Affiliates shall rely entirely upon their own judgment with respect to such matters; and any review, inspection, supervision, exercise of judgment or supply of information undertaken or assumed by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with such matters is solely for the protection of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and neither Borrower nor any other Person is entitled to rely thereon; and (d) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible or liable to any Person for any loss, damage, liability or claim of any kind relating to injury or death to Persons or damage to Property caused by the actions, inaction or negligence of Borrower and/or its Affiliates and Borrower hereby indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless on the terms set forth in Section 11.11 from ----- any such loss, damage, liability or claim. 11.13 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made for the -------------------------- purpose of defining and setting forth certain obligations, rights and duties of Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the Loans, and is made for the sole benefit of Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent's and the Lenders' successors and assigns. Except as provided in Sections 11.8 and 11.11, no other Person shall have any ------ ---- ----- rights of any nature hereunder or by reason hereof. 11.14 Confidentiality. Each Lender agrees to hold any confidential --------------- information that it may receive from Borrower pursuant to this Agreement in confidence, except for disclosure: (a) to other Lenders or (to the extent bound ------ by this Section 11.14) Affiliates of a Lender; (b) to legal counsel and ----- accountants for Borrower or any Lender; (c) to other professional advisors to Borrower or any Lender, provided that the recipient has accepted such information subject to a confidentiality agreement substantially similar to this Section 11.14; (d) to regulatory officials having jurisdiction over that Lender; ----- (e) as required by Law or legal process, provided that each Lender agrees to notify Borrower of any such disclosures unless prohibited by applicable Laws, or in connection with any legal proceeding to which that Lender and Borrower are adverse parties; and (f) to another financial institution in connection with a disposition or proposed disposition to that financial institution of all or part of that -100- <PAGE> Lender's interests hereunder or a participation interest in its Notes, provided that the recipient has accepted such information subject to a confidentiality agreement substantially similar to this Section 11.14. For purposes of the ----- foregoing, "confidential information" shall mean any information respecting Borrower or its Subsidiaries reasonably considered by Borrower to be confidential, other than (i) information previously filed with any Governmental ---------- Agency and available to the public, (ii) information previously published in any public medium from a source other than, directly or indirectly, that Lender, and (iii) information previously disclosed by Borrower to any Person not associated with Borrower which does not owe a professional duty of confidentiality to Borrower or which has not executed an appropriate confidentiality agreement with Borrower. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to create or give rise to any fiduciary duty on the part of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to Borrower. 11.15 Further Assurances. Borrower shall, at its expense and without ------------------ expense to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, do, execute and deliver such further acts and documents as the Requisite Lenders or the Administrative Agent from time to time reasonably require for the assuring and confirming unto the Lenders or the Administrative Agent of the rights hereby created or intended now or hereafter so to be, or for carrying out the intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of any Loan Document. 11.16 Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan ----------- Documents and the letter agreement referred to in Sections 3.2 and 3.4, --- --- comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and govern; provided that the inclusion of supplemental -------- rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof. 11.17 Governing Law. Except to the extent otherwise provided ------------- ------ therein, each Loan Document shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the Laws of Colorado applicable to contracts made and performed in Colorado. -101- <PAGE> 11.18 Severability of Provisions. Any provision in any Loan Document -------------------------- that is held to be inoperative, unenforceable or invalid as to any party or in any jurisdiction shall, as to that party or jurisdiction, be inoperative, unenforceable or invalid without affecting the remaining provisions or the operation, enforceability or validity of that provision as to any other party or in any other jurisdiction, and to this end the provisions of all Loan Documents are declared to be severable. 11.19 Headings. Article and Section headings in this Agreement and -------- the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and are not part of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents for any other purpose. 11.20 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan ------------------- Documents. 11.21 Foreign Lenders and Participants. Each Lender that is -------------------------------- incorporated or otherwise organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia shall deliver to Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), on or before the Closing Date (or on or before accepting an assignment or receiving a participation interest herein pursuant to Section 11.8, if applicable) two duly ---- completed copies, signed by a Responsible Official, of either Form 1001 (relating to such Lender and entitling it to a complete exemption from withholding on all payments to be made to such Lender by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement) or Form 4224 (relating to all payments to be made to such Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement) of the United States Internal Revenue Service or such other evidence (including, if reasonably necessary, Form --------- W-9) satisfactory to Borrower and the Administrative Agent that no withholding under the federal income tax laws is required with respect to such Lender. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Lender shall (a) promptly submit to Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), such additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is satisfactory to Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any available exemption from, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Lender by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement and (b) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be -102- <PAGE> reasonably necessary (including the re-designation of its Eurodollar Lending Office, if any) to avoid any requirement of applicable Laws that Borrower make any deduction or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Lender. In the event that Borrower or the Administrative Agent become aware that a participation has been granted pursuant to Section 11.8(e) to a financial ------- institution that is incorporated or otherwise organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, then, upon request made by Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the Lender which granted such participation, such Lender shall cause such participant financial institution to deliver the same documents and information to Borrower and the Administrative Agent as would be required under this Section if such financial institution were a Lender. 11.22 Hazardous Material Indemnity. Borrower hereby agrees to ---------------------------- indemnify, hold harmless and defend (by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, fines, penalties, charges, administrative and judicial proceedings and orders, judgments, remedial action requirements, enforcement actions of any kind, and all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and the reasonably allocated costs of attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and expenses to the extent that the defense of any such action has not been assumed by Borrower), arising directly or indirectly out of (i) the presence on, in, under or about any Real Property of any Hazardous Materials, or any releases or discharges of any Hazardous Materials on, under or from any Real Property and (ii) any activity carried on or undertaken on or off any Real Property by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their predecessors in title, whether prior to or during the term of this Agreement, and whether by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in title or any employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in title, or any third persons at any time occupying or present on any Real Property, in connection with the handling, treatment, removal, storage, decontamination, clean-up, transport or disposal of any Hazardous Materials at any time located or present on, in, under or about any Real Property. The foregoing indemnity shall further apply to any residual contamination on, in, under or about any Real Property, or affecting any natural resources, and to any contamination of any Property or natural resources arising in connection with the generation, use, handling, storage, transport or disposal of any such Hazardous -103- <PAGE> Materials, and irrespective of whether any of such activities were or will be undertaken in accordance with applicable Laws, but the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to Hazardous Materials on any Real Property, the presence of which is caused by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to the contrary, the obligations of Borrower under this Section shall be unlimited corporate obligations of Borrower and shall not be --- secured by any Lien on any Real Property. Any obligation or liability of Borrower to any Indemnitee under this Section 11.22 shall survive the expiration ----- or termination of this Agreement and the repayment of all Loans and the payment and performance of all other Obligations owed to the Lenders. 11.23 Arbitration. Upon the demand of any party, any Dispute shall ----------- be resolved by binding arbitration (except as set forth in (d) below) in - accordance with the terms of this Agreement. A "Dispute" shall mean any action, dispute, claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or tort, statutory or common law, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter arising under or in connection with, or in any way pertaining to, any of the Loan Documents, or any past, present or future extensions of credit and other activities, transactions or obligations of any kind related directly or indirectly to any of the Loan Documents, including without limitation, any of the foregoing arising in connection with the exercise of any self-help, ancillary or other remedies pursuant to any of the Loan Documents. Any party may by summary proceedings bring an action in court to compel arbitration of a Dispute. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a lawful demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any Dispute. (a) Governing Rules. Arbitration proceedings shall be --------------- administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon in accordance with the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules. All Disputes submitted to arbitration shall be resolved in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the Loan Documents. The arbitration shall be conducted at a location in Colorado selected by the AAA or other administrator. If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and any such rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. All statutes of limitation applicable to -104- <PAGE> any Dispute shall apply to any arbitration proceeding. All discovery activities shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the Dispute being arbitrated. Judgment upon any award rendered in an arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction; provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. (S)91 or any similar applicable state law. (b) No Waiver; Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. ---------------------------------------------------------- No provision hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self- help remedies such as setoff, foreclosure against or sale of any real or personal property collateral or security, or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, including without limitation injunctive relief, sequestration, attachment, garnishment or the appointment of a receiver, from a court of competent jurisdiction before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration or other proceeding. The exercise of any such remedy shall not waive the right of any party to compel arbitration or reference hereunder. (c) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers; Awards. Arbitrators -------------------------------------------- must be active members of the Colorado State Bar or retired judges of the state or federal judiciary of Colorado, with expertise in the substantive laws applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute. Arbitrators are empowered to resolve Disputes by summary rulings in response to motions filed prior to the final arbitration hearing. Arbitrators (i) shall resolve all Disputes in accordance with the substantive law of the state of Colorado, (ii) may grant any remedy or relief that a court of the state of Colorado could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award, and (iii) shall have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other actions as they deem necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000 or less shall be decided by a single arbitrator who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000 (including damages, costs, fees and expenses). By submission to a single arbitrator, each party expressly waives any right or claim to recover more than $5,000,000. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; -105- <PAGE> provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. (d) Judicial Review. Notwithstanding anything herein to the --------------- contrary, in any arbitration in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000,000, the arbitrators shall be required to make specific, written findings of fact and conclusions of law. In such arbitrations (i) the arbitrators shall not have the power to make any award which is not supported by substantial evidence or which is based on legal error, (ii) an award shall not be binding upon the parties unless the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and the conclusions of law are not erroneous under the substantive law of the state of Colorado, and (iii) the parties shall have in addition to the grounds referred to in the Federal Arbitration Act for vacating, modifying or correcting an award the right to judicial review of (A) whether the findings of fact rendered by the arbitrators are supported by substantial evidence, and (B) whether the conclusions of law are erroneous under the substantive law of the state of Colorado. Judgment confirming an award in such a proceeding may be entered only if a court determines the award is supported by substantial evidence and not based on legal error under the substantive law of the state of Colorado. (e) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, ------------- the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business, by applicable law or regulation, or to the extent necessary to exercise any judicial review rights set forth herein. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the Dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties. 11.24 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT -------------------------------- HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING -106- <PAGE> UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTY HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE. -107- <PAGE> 11.25 Purported Oral Amendments. BORROWER EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES ------------------------- THAT THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY ONLY BE AMENDED OR MODIFIED, OR THE PROVISIONS HEREOF OR THEREOF WAIVED OR SUPPLEMENTED, BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING THAT COMPLIES WITH SECTION 11.2. BORROWER AGREES THAT IT ---- WILL NOT RELY ON ANY COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, OR ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS BY ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH SECTION 11.2 TO EFFECT AN AMENDMENT, ---- MODIFICATION, WAIVER OR SUPPLEMENT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written. WILD OATS MARKETS, INC. By: ______________________________________ _______________________________ [Printed Name and Title] Address for notices: Wild Oats Markets, Inc. 3375 Mitchell Lane Boulder, Colorado 80301-2244 Attn: Mary Beth Lewis, Chief Financial Officer Telecopier: (303) 440-7316 Telephone: (303) 440-5220 -108- <PAGE> WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and a Lender By: __________________________________ Tracey Hanson Vice President Address for notices as a Lender: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association Commercial Lending Office 633 Seventeenth Street Denver, Colorado 80270 Attn: Tracey Hanson Telecopier: (303) 293-5163 Telephone: (303) 293-5131 Address for notices to Administrative Agent for borrowings and payments: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Agent Commercial Bank Loan Center Agency Department, 2840 201 Third Street, 8th Floor San Francisco, California 94103 Attn: Manager Telecopier: (415) 512-7059 Telephone: (415) 477-5413 -109- <PAGE> THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as a Lender By: ____________________________________ Paul Rigby Managing Director Address: The First National Bank of Chicago One First National Bank Plaza, 14th Floor Mail Suite 0086 Chicago, Illinois 60670 Attn: Paul Rigby Telecopier: (312) 732-1117 Telephone: (312) 732-6132 -110- <PAGE> COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN- BOERENLEENBANK, B.A., "RABOBANK NEDERLAND", NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender By: _________________________________ _________________________________ [Printed Name and Title] By: _________________________________ _________________________________ [Printed Name and Title] Address: Rabobank Nederland One Galleria Tower 13355 Noel Road, Suite 1000 Dallas, Texas 75240 Attn: Doug Pogge Telecopier: (972) 419-5269 Telephone: (972) 419-6315 Address for funding notices: Rabobank Nederland, New York Branch c/o Rabo Support Services 10 Exchange Place, 16th Floor Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 Attn: Corporate Services Telecopier: (201) 499-5328 Telephone: (201) 499-5200 -111- <PAGE> HARRIS TRUST & SAVINGS BANK, as a Lender By: _____________________________ _______________________________ [Printed Name and Title] Address: Harris Trust & Savings Bank 111 West Monroe Street 10th Floor Center Chicago, Illinois 60603 Attn: James Colley Telecopier: (312) 293-5041 Telephone: (312) 461-6876 -112-