SHAK Shake Shack Inc

 

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2024

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

SHAKE SHACK INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware	47-1941186
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

225 Varick Street, Suite 301

New York, NY 10014

Telephone: (646) 747-7200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

 

 

Ronald Palmese, Jr., Esq.

Chief Legal Officer

225 Varick Street, Suite 301

New York, NY 10014

Telephone: (646) 747-7241

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Louis Rambo, Esq. Proskauer Rose LLP Eleven Times Square New York, New York 10036 Tel (212) 969-3000 Fax (212) 969-2900

 

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective on filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): ¨

 

Large accelerated filer	x		Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨
			Emerging growth company	¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ¨

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

 

•

A base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”) which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us or the offering and sale by selling securityholders of the securities identified in the Base Prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings; and

 

•

A prospectus to be used for the offering and sale by the selling stockholders named in such prospectus of up to a maximum of 5,626,015 shares of our Class A Common Stock (the “Resale Prospectus”).

 

The Base Prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the Base Prospectus will be specified in one or more prospectus supplements to the Base Prospectus. The Resale Prospectus immediately follows the Base Prospectus.

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Class A Common Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

Shake Shack Inc. (the "Company") or selling securityholders may, from time to time, offer the securities described in this prospectus separately or together in any combination, in one or more classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of the offering. We or selling securityholders may also offer securities upon conversion of debt securities or preferred stock or upon the exercise of warrants.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we or any selling securityholders may offer. We may provide the specific terms of the securities to be offered in prospectus supplements and/or in free writing prospectuses accompanying this prospectus. We may also provide a specific plan of distribution for any securities to be offered in a prospectus supplement and/or in a free writing prospectus. Supplements and/or free writing prospectuses may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus accompanying this prospectus, together with any documents incorporated by reference herein, before you invest in our securities.

 

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SHAK." We have two classes of common stock: Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters presented to our stockholders generally. All of our Class B Common Stock is held by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners (as defined herein) on a one-to-one basis with the number of LLC Interests of SSE Holdings they own. See "Prospectus Summary."

 

The last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock on June 4, 2024 was $91.68 per share.

 

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and "Risk Factors" in our 2023 10-K (as defined herein), which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other subsequently filed annual, quarterly or current reports and the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is June 6, 2024

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

About This Prospectus	ii
Prospectus Summary	1
Risk Factors	2
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	3
Use of Proceeds	5
Description of Capital Stock	6
Description of Debt Securities	11
Description of Warrants	13
Description of Depositary Shares	15
Description of Rights	16
Description of Units	17
Selling Securityholders	18
Plan of Distribution	19
Legal Matters	21
Experts	21
Information Incorporated by Reference	21
Where You Can Find More Information	22

 

For investors outside the United States: We have not and the selling stockholders have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

 

 

About This Prospectus

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration or continuous offering process. Under this shelf registration process, we and any selling securityholders may, from time to time, sell any combination of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling stockholders may offer. Each time we or any selling stockholders sells securities, pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we, such selling securityholders, or parties acting on our behalf, will provide a prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being sold in that offering. The applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If the information varies between this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone, including any selling stockholders, to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you.

 

Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, together with the additional information described under the heading "Information Incorporated by Reference." You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate. Neither we nor any selling stockholder are making offers to sell any securities described in this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

 

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

•

“we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “Shake Shack” and other similar references refer to Shake Shack Inc., and, unless otherwise stated, all of its subsidiaries, including SSE Holdings, LLC, which we refer to as “SSE Holdings,” and all of its subsidiaries. We are a holding company with no direct operations, which are conducted by SSE Holdings. We also are the sole managing member of SSE Holdings.

 

•

“Original SSE Equity Owners” refers to the owners of SSE Holdings prior to our IPO (as defined below).

 

•

“Continuing SSE Equity Owners” refers to those Original SSE Equity Owners that continue to own LLC Interests (as defined below) as of the date of this prospectus and who may redeem their remaining LLC Interests for shares of our Class A Common Stock, including the Meyer Group (as defined below).

 

•

“Former SSE Equity Owners” refers to those (i) Original SSE Equity Owners who previously redeemed all of their LLC Interests for shares of our Class A Common Stock and (ii) affiliate entities of former members of SSE Holdings, which, immediately after our IPO, we issued shares of our Class A Common Stock to as merger consideration upon the acquisition by way of merger of these affiliate entities that were owned by such former members.

 

•

"IPO" refers to the Company's IPO, which closed on February 4, 2015.

 

•

“LLC Interests” refers to the single class of common membership interests of SSE Holdings.

 

 

•

“Meyer Group” refers collectively to (i) Daniel Meyer, (ii) the Daniel H. Meyer Investment Trust (the “Investment Trust”), and (iii) the DHM 2012 Gift Trust U/A/D 10/31/12 (the “Gift Trust”), of which Mr. Meyer’s spouse is a trustee and beneficiary, which, together with certain other Original SSE Equity Owners, are parties to the Stockholders Agreement, as amended, as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence—Stockholders Agreement” in our 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024 (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 (the "2023 10-K"), each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

TRADEMARKS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include our trademarks, trade names and service marks, such as “Shake Shack^®,” “ShackBurger^®,” “^®,” “” “Shack-Cago Dog^®,” “SmokeShack^®,” “ShackMeister^®,” “Shack₂0^®,” “Pooch-ini^®” and “Stand for Something Good^®,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein also contain trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein may appear without the ^®, ™ or ^SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

 

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, all of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. In particular, you should consider the matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein, as well as other risk factors described under "Risk Factors" in any prospectus supplement and under a similar heading in other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks or uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of those risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our Class A Common Stock or our other securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus.

 

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, outlook and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding expected new Shack openings, expected same-Shack sales growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.

 

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

▪

our inability to successfully identify and secure appropriate sites and timely develop and expand our operations;

 

▪

our inability to protect our brand and reputation;

 

▪

our failure to prevent food safety and food-borne illness incidents;

 

▪

shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food products;

 

▪

our inability to maintain our international supply chain;

 

▪

our dependence on a small number of suppliers and a single distribution company for the majority of our domestic distribution needs;

 

▪

our inability to protect against security breaches of confidential guest information;

 

▪

competition from other restaurants;

 

▪

changes in consumer tastes and nutritional and dietary trends;

 

▪

our inability to manage our growth;

 

▪

our inability to open profitable Shacks;

 

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our failure to generate projected same-Shack sales growth;

 

▪

our inability to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow, or access to capital, to meet growth expectations;

 

▪

our dependence on long-term non-cancelable leases;

 

▪

our failure to meet the operational and financial performance guidance we provide to the public;

 

▪

our dependence on key members of our executive management team;

 

▪

our inability to identify qualified individuals for our workforce;

 

▪

labor relations difficulties;

 

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our vulnerability to increased food commodity and energy costs;

 

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our vulnerability to health care costs and labor costs;

 

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our vulnerability to global financial market conditions;

 

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our sale of alcoholic beverages;

 

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our dependence on a limited number of licensees;

 

▪

our inability to maintain good relationships with our licensees;

 

▪

violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws;

 

▪

our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;

 

▪

our business model being susceptible to litigation;

 

▪

failure to obtain and maintain required licenses and permits to comply with alcoholic beverage or food control regulations;

 

▪

our vulnerability to adverse weather conditions in local or regional areas where our Shacks are located;

 

▪

our realization of any benefit from the tax receivable agreement entered into with the Continuing SSE Equity Owners and our organizational structure; and

 

▪

the impact of any material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the restatements set forth in our 2023 10-K.

 

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus primarily on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The outcome of the matters described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors described above and in the section of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement entitled "Risk Factors" and under a similar heading in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Moreover, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

 

The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

Use of Proceeds

 

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by us. Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities by us offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities.

 

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our securities by selling securityholders.

 

 

Description of Capital Stock

 

The following descriptions of our capital stock and provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) are summaries and are qualified by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 35,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

As of May 29, 2024, there are 39,961,941 shares of our Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding and 2,487,936 shares of our Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of our Class A Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote per share. Holders of our Class A Common Stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. Except as otherwise provided by law, amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by a majority or, in some cases, a super-majority of the combined voting power of all shares entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.

 

Dividend Rights

 

Holders of Class A Common Stock share ratably (based on the number of shares of Class A Common Stock held) if and when any dividend is declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each holder of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to a pro rata distribution of any assets available for distribution to common stockholders.

 

Other Matters

 

Shares of Class A Common Stock are not subject to redemption and do not have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock. Holders of shares of our Class A Common Stock do not have subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class A Common Stock. All the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Class B Common Stock

 

Issuance of Class B Common Stock with LLC Interests

 

Shares of Class B Common Stock will only be issued in the future to the extent necessary to maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Interests held by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners. Shares of Class B Common Stock are transferable only together with an equal number of LLC Interests. Shares of Class B Common Stock will be cancelled on a one-for-one basis if there is a redemption, or exchange, of LLC Interests of such Continuing SSE Equity Owners pursuant to the terms of the SSE Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote per share, with the number of shares of Class B Common Stock held by each Continuing SSE Equity Owner being equivalent to the number of LLC Interests held by such Continuing SSE Equity Owner. Holders of our Class B Common Stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

 

 

Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. Except as otherwise provided by law, amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by a majority or, in some cases, a super-majority of the combined voting power of all shares entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.

 

Dividend Rights

 

Holders of our Class B Common Stock do not participate in any dividend declared by the board of directors.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Class B Common Stock will not be entitled to receive any distribution of our assets.

 

Transfers

 

Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation and the SSE Holdings LLC Agreement, each holder of Class B Common Stock agrees that:

 

▪

the holder will not transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock to any person unless the holder transfers an equal number of LLC Interests to the same person; and

 

▪

in the event the holder transfers any LLC Interests to any person, the holder will transfer an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock to the same person.

 

Other Matters

 

Shares of Class B Common Stock are not subject to redemption rights and do not have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of Class B Common Stock. Holders of shares of our Class B Common Stock do not have subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class B Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the powers, rights, preferences, and privileges of each class or series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, which may be greater than the rights of the holders of the common stock. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the holders of our Class A Common Stock by restricting dividends on the Class A Common Stock, diluting the voting power of the Class A Common Stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the Class A Common Stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of our Class A Common Stock.

 

Exclusive Venue

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") or our Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine will have to be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

 

 

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware Law

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We believe that these provisions, which are summarized below, discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they also give our board of directors the power to discourage acquisitions that some stockholders may favor.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible and each class serving three-year staggered terms. Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, directors designated by the Meyer Group may only be removed with or without cause by the request of the party entitled to designate such director. In all other cases and at any other time, directors may only be removed from our board of directors for cause by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the confirmed voting power of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control of us or our management.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares

 

The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of the NYSE. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors or by a qualified stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, subject to applicable law, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office. Our Bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. In addition, any stockholder who wishes to bring business before an annual meeting or nominate directors must comply with the advance notice and duration of ownership requirements set forth in our Bylaws and provide us with certain information. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers or changes in control of us or our management.

 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

 

Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless our Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholder action by written consent is permitted only if the action to be effected by such written consent and the taking of such action by such written consent have been previously approved by the board of directors.

 

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws

 

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our Bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2⁄3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2⁄3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors is required to amend or repeal or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with any of the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation described above.

 

 

The foregoing provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares of Class A Common Stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.

 

In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a ‘‘business combination’’ with any ‘‘interested stockholder’’ for three years following the date that the person became an interested stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A ‘‘business combination’’ includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the ‘‘interested stockholder’’ and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an ‘‘interested stockholder’’ is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors that are, in some cases, broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained under Delaware law. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of these provisions is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable for:

 

•

any breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

•

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

•

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or

 

•

improper distributions to stockholders.

 

These provisions may be held not to be enforceable for violations of the federal securities laws of the United States.

 

Corporate Opportunities

 

In recognition that partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers and/or employees of the Original SSE Equity Owners and their affiliates and investment funds, which we refer to as the Corporate Opportunity Entities, may serve as our directors and/or officers, and that the Corporate Opportunity Entities may engage in activities or lines of business similar to those in which we engage, our Certificate of Incorporation provides for the allocation of certain corporate opportunities between us and the Corporate Opportunity Entities. Specifically, none of the Corporate Opportunity Entities has any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same or similar business activities or lines of business that we do. In the event that any Corporate Opportunity Entity acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for itself and us, we will not have any expectancy in such corporate opportunity, and the Corporate Opportunity Entity will not have any duty to communicate or offer such corporate opportunity to us and may pursue or acquire such corporate opportunity for itself or direct such opportunity to another person. In addition, if a director of our Company who is also a partner, principal, director, officer, member, manager or employee of any Corporate Opportunity Entity acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for us and a Corporate Opportunity Entity, we will not have any expectancy in such corporate opportunity. In the event that any other director of ours acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for us we will not have any expectancy in such corporate opportunity unless such potential transaction or matter was presented to such director expressly in his or her capacity as such.

 

By becoming a stockholder in our Company, you will be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation. Any amendment to the foregoing provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of at least 66-2⁄3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors.

 

 

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

 

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of Shake Shack. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

 

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

 

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law and such suit is brought in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware. See "—Exclusive Venue’’ above.

 

Stockholders Agreement

 

In connection with our IPO, the Company entered into the Stockholders Agreement with the Meyer Group and certain other Original SSE Equity Owners pursuant to which the Company has provided specified board representation rights, governance rights and other rights. See ‘‘Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence—Stockholders Agreement" in our 2024 Proxy Statement.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with our IPO, the Company entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Original SSE Equity Owners pursuant to which the Original SSE Equity Owners have specified rights to require the Company to register all or any portion of their shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). See ‘‘Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence—Registration Rights Agreement" in our 2024 Proxy Statement.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A Common Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

The New York Stock Exchange

 

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "SHAK."

 

 

Description of Debt Securities

 

We may offer unsecured general obligations, which we refer to as the “debt securities” in this section. The debt securities will be issued from time to time under an indenture and applicable supplemental indenture, if any, with respect to any series of debt securities, between us and a trustee. The indenture and any supplemental indenture are technical documents with terms that have defined meanings. A prospectus supplement will contain a summary of the indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture. We urge you to read the indenture, any applicable supplemental indenture and the accompanying prospectus supplement describing the particular terms of the debt securities because they, and not this description, define the rights of the debt security holders. A form of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

General

 

The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the form of indenture and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms for a particular issuance, which will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

A form of each debt security, reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered debt securities, as well as the indenture and supplemental indenture, if any, will be filed with the SEC at the time of the offering.

 

Brief Description of the Debt Securities

 

The debt securities will represent unsecured general obligations of the Company, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement. As indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will either be senior debt or subordinated debt as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We will pay principal and interest on the debt securities at our office or agency, which we maintain in New York City. At our option, we may make payments of interest by check mailed to the debt security holders at their respective addresses as set forth in the register of debt securities. All payments with respect to global debt securities, however, will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the global debt securities. Until otherwise designated by us, our office or agency in New York City will be the office of the trustee or an affiliate thereof maintained for payment purposes.

 

Information in the Prospectus Supplement

 

The prospectus supplement for any offered series of debt securities will describe the following terms, as applicable:

 

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the title;

 

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

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the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be sold and, if applicable, the method of determining the price;

 

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the maturity date or dates;

 

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the rate at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates;

 

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if the debt securities are original issue discount debt securities, the yield to maturity;

 

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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or how such date or dates will be determined, and the interest payment dates and any related record dates;

 

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any provisions for the payment of additional amounts for taxes;

 

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the denominations in which the currency or currency unit of the debt securities will be issuable if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

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the terms and conditions on which we may optionally redeem the debt securities;

 

 

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the terms and conditions on which we may be required to redeem the debt securities;

 

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any obligation for us to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities at the option of a holder upon the happening of an event other than a change of control and certain sales of assets, which are specified in the indenture, and the terms and conditions of redemption, purchase or repayment;

 

·

the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, calculation agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities;

 

·

any changes in or additions to the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

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any additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

 

·

any material provisions of the applicable indenture described in this prospectus that do not apply to the debt securities;

 

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any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify, supplement or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series; and

 

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any other specific terms of the debt securities.

 

We will issue the debt securities only in registered form. As currently anticipated, debt securities of a series will trade in book-entry form, and global notes will be issued in physical (paper) form. Unless otherwise provided in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities denominated in U.S. Dollars and only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

 

Description of Warrants

 

This section describes the general terms of the warrants that we may offer and sell by this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each warrant. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the warrants as described in this prospectus.

 

General

 

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies, as warrant agent or warrant agents, all of which will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants we are offering. The warrant agent or warrant agents will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

Brief Description of the Debt Warrants

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities. As explained below, each debt warrant will entitle its holder to purchase debt securities at the exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Debt warrants may be issued separately or together with debt securities.

 

The debt warrants are to be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between us, and one or more banks or trust companies, as debt warrant agent or debt warrant agents, as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants being offered by the prospectus supplement and this prospectus.

 

The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants, the debt warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing debt warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

·

the title of the debt warrants;

 

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the initial offering price;

 

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the title, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants;

 

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the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

·

the title and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued and the number of the debt warrants issued with each debt security;

 

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the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable;

 

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the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which that principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant;

 

·

if applicable, the minimum or maximum number of debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

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the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

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if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the debt warrants;

 

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whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered;

 

·

anti-dilution provisions of the debt warrants, if any;

 

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redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the debt warrants;

 

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any additional terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the debt warrants; and

 

·

the exercise price.

 

Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and, if in registered form, may be presented for registration of transfer, and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the related prospectus supplement.

 

Before the exercise of debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not be entitled to payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, or to enforce any of the covenants in the indenture.

 

 

Brief Description of the Equity Warrants

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our equity securities, such as our preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units. As explained below, each equity warrant will entitle its holder to purchase equity securities at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Equity warrants may be issued separately or together with equity securities.

 

The equity warrants are to be issued under equity warrant agreements to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies, as equity warrant agent or equity warrant agents, as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the equity warrants being offered by the prospectus supplement and this prospectus.

 

The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants, the equity warrant agreement relating to the equity warrants and the equity warrant certificates representing equity warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

·

the title of the equity warrants;

 

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the initial offering price;

 

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the aggregate number of equity warrants and the aggregate number of shares of the equity security purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants;

 

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the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

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if applicable, the designation and terms of the equity securities with which the equity warrants are issued, and the number of equity warrants issued with each equity security;

 

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the date, if any, on and after which the equity warrants and the related equity security will be separately transferable;

 

·

if applicable, the minimum or maximum number of the equity warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

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the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

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if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the equity warrants;

 

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anti-dilution provisions of the equity warrants, if any;

 

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redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the equity warrants;

 

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any additional terms of the equity warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the equity warrants; and

 

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the exercise price.

 

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled, solely by virtue of being holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a holder of the equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants.

 

 

Description of Depositary Shares

 

This section describes the general terms of the depositary shares we may offer and sell by this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for the depositary shares. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update, or change the terms and conditions of the depositary shares as described in this prospectus.

 

General

 

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional or multiple shares of preferred stock, rather than single shares of preferred stock (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock). In the event we elect to do so, depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued.

 

The shares of any class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among us, a depositary selected by us, and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related class or series of preferred shares in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement.

 

 

Description of Rights

 

This section describes the general terms of the rights that we may offer and sell by this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each right. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the rights as described in this prospectus.

 

The particular terms of each issue of rights, the rights agreement relating to the rights and the rights certificates representing rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

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the title of the rights;

 

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the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

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the title, aggregate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

·

the exercise price;

 

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the aggregate number of rights issued;

 

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the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;

 

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the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire; and

 

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any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

 

Exercise of Rights

 

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

 

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Description of Units

 

This section describes the general terms of the units we may offer and sell by this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for the units. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update, or change the terms and conditions of the units as described in this prospectus.

 

General

 

We may issue units consisting of one or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. While the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any units we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any units may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those units, as well as for other reasons. Therefore, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.

 

The particular terms of each issue of units, the unit agreement relating to the units and the unit certificates representing units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

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the title of the series of units;

 

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identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

 

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the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

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the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

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a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

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any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

 

Selling Securityholders

 

Selling securityholders are persons or entities that, directly or indirectly, have acquired or will from time to time acquire from us, our securities. If this prospectus is used by selling securityholders for the resale of any securities registered under this registration statement pursuant to a registration rights agreement between us and such selling securityholders or otherwise, information about such selling securityholders, their beneficial ownership of our securities and their relationship with us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

 

 

Plan of Distribution

 

We or selling securityholders may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, “at-the-market” offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We or selling securityholders may sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters or dealers (acting as principal or agent), through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We or selling securityholders may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

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at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

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at negotiated prices.

 

A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

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the name or names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any;

 

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the name or names of the selling securityholders, if any;

 

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the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;

 

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any over-allotment or other options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us or any selling securityholders;

 

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any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

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any public offering price;

 

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

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any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

 

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We or selling securityholders may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. If a dealer is used in the sale of securities, we, a selling stockholder, or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.

 

We or selling securityholders may use underwriters, dealers or agents with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, dealer or agent, the nature of any such relationship. We or selling securityholders may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We may provide agents, underwriters and dealers with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents, underwriters or dealers may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents, underwriters and dealers, or their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

 

Selling securityholders may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act in connection with the securities they resell and any profits on the sales may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

 

 

All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

 

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

Any underwriters that are qualified market makers may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of an offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of our Class A Common Stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

 

Legal Matters

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon for us by Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, New York.

 

Experts

 

The consolidated financial statements of Shake Shack Inc. appearing in Shake Shack Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 27, 2023, and the effectiveness of Shake Shack Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which conclude, among other things, that Shake Shack Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023 based on Internal Control --Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), because of the effects of the material weakness described therein, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Information Incorporated by Reference

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents and all documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) pursuant to the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

·

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024;

 

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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024;

 

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 27, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2024;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024, February 2, 2024, February 15, 2024, February 26, 2024, March 21, 2024, and April 17, 2024; and

 

·

the description of our Class A Common Stock as set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36749), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2015, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Any statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus, except as so modified or superseded.

 

We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto. Requests for such copies should be directed to our Investor Relations department, at the following address:

 

Shake Shack Inc.

 

225 Varick Street, Suite 301

 

New York, NY 10014

 

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us and the securities offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained or incorporated in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. Such reports and other information filed by us with the SEC are available free of charge on our website at investor.shakeshack.com when such reports are made available on the SEC's website. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Class A Common Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

June 6, 2024

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Shares

of Class A Common Stock

Offered, from time to time, by the Selling Stockholders

 

This prospectus relates to the resale from time to time of up to 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share of Shake Shack Inc. (the “Company”) by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. Out of the 5,626,015 shares of our Class A Common Stock that our selling stockholders may offer and sell, (i) 3,138,079 shares of our Class A Common Stock were previously issued to certain of our selling stockholders and (ii) the remaining 2,487,936 shares of Class A Common Stock will be issued by us from time to time to certain of our stockholders who are also the holders of LLC Interests of SSE Holdings upon the redemption by such stockholders of an equivalent number of LLC Interests of SSE Holdings (and the surrender and cancellation of an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company).

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time by the selling stockholders, but we have agreed to pay substantially all of the expenses incidental to the registration, offering and sale of the Class A Common Stock by the selling stockholders, except that we will not bear any brokers' or underwriters' discounts and commissions, fees and expenses of counsel to underwriters or brokers, transfer taxes or transfer fees relating to the sale of shares of our Class A Common Stock by the selling stockholders.

 

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SHAK." We have two classes of common stock: Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters presented to our stockholders generally. All of our Class B Common Stock is held by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners (as defined herein) on a one-to-one basis with the number of LLC Interests of SSE Holdings they own. See "Prospectus Summary."

 

The last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock on June 4, 2024 was $91.68 per share.

 

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves certain risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and "Risk Factors" in our 2023 10-K (as defined herein), which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other subsequently filed annual, quarterly or current reports filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is June 6, 2024

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Prospectus Summary	1
The Offering	2
Risk Factors	3
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	4
Use of Proceeds	6
Selling Stockholders	7
Redemptions or Exchanges of LLC Interests for Class A Common Stock	11
Plan of Distribution	12
Legal Matters	15
Experts	15
Information Incorporated by Reference	15
Where You Can Find More Information	17

 

For investors outside the United States: We have not and the selling stockholders have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration or continuous offering process. Both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement include or incorporate by reference important information about us, our common stock and other information you should know before investing.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone, including the selling stockholders, to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you.

 

Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, together with the additional information described under the heading "Information Incorporated by Reference." You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate. Neither we nor any selling stockholder are making offers to sell any securities described in this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

 

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

▪

“we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “Shake Shack” and other similar references refer to Shake Shack Inc., and, unless otherwise stated, all of its subsidiaries, including SSE Holdings, LLC, which we refer to as “SSE Holdings,” and all of its subsidiaries. We are a holding company with no direct operations, in which are conducted through SSE Holdings. We also are the sole managing member of SSE Holdings.

 

▪

“Original SSE Equity Owners” refers to the owners of SSE Holdings prior to our IPO (as defined below).

 

▪

“Continuing SSE Equity Owners” refers to those Original SSE Equity Owners that continue to own LLC Interests (as defined below) as of the date of this prospectus and who may redeem their remaining LLC Interests for shares of our Class A Common Stock, including the Meyer Group (as defined below), certain affiliates of LGP (as defined below), and certain of our executive officers.

 

▪

“Former SSE Equity Owners” refers to those (i) Original SSE Equity Owners who previously redeemed all of their LLC Interests for shares of our Class A Common Stock and (ii) affiliate entities of former members of SSE Holdings, which, immediately after our IPO, we issued shares of our Class A Common Stock to as merger consideration upon the acquisition by way of merger of these affiliate entities that were owned by such former members.

 

▪

"IPO" refers to the Company's IPO, which closed on February 4, 2015.

 

▪

“LLC Interests” refers to the single class of common membership interests of SSE Holdings.

 

 

▪

"selling stockholders" refers to the existing stockholders who may offer or sell shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus, as identified in "Selling Stockholders."

 

▪

“Meyer Group” refers collectively to (i) Daniel Meyer, (ii) the Daniel H. Meyer Investment Trust (the “Investment Trust”), and (iii) the DHM 2012 Gift Trust U/A/D 10/31/12 (the “Gift Trust”), of which Mr. Meyer’s spouse is a trustee and beneficiary, which, together with certain other Original SSE Equity Owners, are parties to the Stockholders Agreement, as amended, as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence—Stockholders Agreement” in our 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024 (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 (the "2023 10-K"), each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

TRADEMARKS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include our trademarks, trade names and service marks, such as “Shake Shack^®,” “ShackBurger^®,” “^®,” “” “Shack-Cago Dog^®,” “SmokeShack^®,” “ShackMeister^®,” “Shack₂0^®,” “Pooch-ini^®” and “Stand for Something Good^®,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein also contain trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein may appear without the ^®, ™ or ^SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein, as well as other risk factors described under "Risk Factors" in any prospectus supplement and under a similar heading in other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks or uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of those risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our Class A Common Stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus.

 

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, outlook and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding expected new Shack openings, expected same-Shack sales growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.

 

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

▪

our inability to successfully identify and secure appropriate sites and timely develop and expand our operations;

 

▪

our inability to protect our brand and reputation;

 

▪

our failure to prevent food safety and food-borne illness incidents;

 

▪

shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food products;

 

▪

our inability to maintain our international supply chain;

 

▪

our dependence on a small number of suppliers and a single distribution company for the majority of our domestic distribution needs;

 

▪

our inability to protect against security breaches of confidential guest information;

 

▪

competition from other restaurants;

 

▪

changes in consumer tastes and nutritional and dietary trends;

 

▪

our inability to manage our growth;

 

▪

our inability to open profitable Shacks;

 

▪

our failure to generate projected same-Shack sales growth;

 

▪

our inability to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow, or access to capital, to meet growth expectations;

 

▪

our dependence on long-term non-cancelable leases;

 

▪

our failure to meet the operational and financial performance guidance we provide to the public;

 

▪

our dependence on key members of our executive management team;

 

▪

our inability to identify qualified individuals for our workforce;

 

▪

labor relations difficulties;

 

 

▪

our vulnerability to increased food commodity and energy costs;

 

▪

our vulnerability to health care costs and labor costs;

 

▪

our vulnerability to global financial market conditions;

 

▪

our sale of alcoholic beverages;

 

▪

our dependence on a limited number of licensees;

 

▪

our inability to maintain good relationships with our licensees;

 

▪

violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws;

 

▪

our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;

 

▪

our business model being susceptible to litigation;

 

▪

failure to obtain and maintain required licenses and permits to comply with alcoholic beverage or food control regulations;

 

▪

our vulnerability to adverse weather conditions in local or regional areas where our Shacks are located;

 

▪

our realization of any benefit from the tax receivable agreement entered into with the Continuing SSE Equity Owners and our organizational structure; and

 

▪

the impact of any material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the restatements set forth in our 2023 10-K.

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus primarily on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The outcome of the matters described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors described above and in the section of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement entitled "Risk Factors" and under a similar heading in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Moreover, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

 

The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

Use Of Proceeds

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock from time to time by the selling stockholders of any of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered pursuant to this prospectus. The selling stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from any such offer and sale.

 

 

Selling Stockholders

 

The selling stockholders named below may, from time to time, offer or sell pursuant to this prospectus up to an aggregate of 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock. The table below describes, as of May 29, 2024, each selling stockholder’s beneficial ownership of shares of our Class A Common Stock and shares of our Class B Common Stock (a) according to the information available to us as of the date of this prospectus and (b) assuming each selling stockholder (i) has redeemed all LLC Interests held by such selling stockholder and (ii) has sold all of its shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Information in the table below with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each of the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders listed in the table below may have sold, transferred, otherwise disposed of or purchased, or may sell, transfer, otherwise dispose of or purchase, at any time and from time to time, shares of our Class A Common Stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or in the open market after the date on which they provided the information set forth in the table below. We do not know which (if any) of the selling stockholders named below actually will offer to sell shares pursuant to this prospectus, or the number of shares that each of them will offer.

 

Because the selling stockholders may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all, some or none of the shares of our Class A Common Stock covered by this prospectus, we cannot determine the number of such shares that will be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the selling stockholders, or the amount or percentage of shares of our Class A Common Stock that will be held by the selling stockholders upon termination of any particular offering or sale. See “Plan of Distribution.” When we refer to the selling stockholders in this prospectus, we mean the entities listed in the table below, as well as their pledgees, donees, assignees, transferees and successors in interest.

 

All Continuing SSE Equity Owners are entitled to have their LLC Interests redeemed for Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, or, at the option of Shake Shack, cash equal to the market value of the applicable number of shares of our Class A Common Stock. At Shake Shack's election, Shake Shack may effect a direct exchange, rather than a redemption, of such shares of Class A Common Stock or such cash for such LLC Interests. In connection with our IPO, we issued to each Continuing SSE Equity Owner for nominal consideration one share of Class B Common Stock for each LLC Interest it owned. As a result, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock listed in the table below equals the number of LLC Interests each such Continuing SSE Equity Owner owns.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by an individual or entity and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, or other rights, including the redemption right described above, held by such person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days, are considered outstanding, although these shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Each of the stockholders listed has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder unless noted otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable.

 

Any selling stockholder may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based upon the applicable facts and circumstances, including when and how each selling stockholder's respective shares of Class A Common Stock were acquired, none of the selling stockholders believes that it should be considered an “underwriter” within the meaning of such term under the Securities Act.

 

For information regarding material relationships and transactions between us and the selling stockholders, see the “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” section of our 2023 10-K and any disclosure under a similar heading in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

Information concerning the selling stockholders may change from time to time. Any changes to the information provided below will be set forth in a prospectus supplement if and when necessary.

 

 

		LLC Interests (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock) held prior to the offering								LLC Interests to be exchanged (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock to be surrendered and cancelled) in the offering(+)(1)								LLC Interests (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock) held after the offering(+)								Shares of Class A Common Stock held prior to the offering (^)								Shares of Class A Common Stock that may be sold in the offering(‡)								Shares of Class A Common Stock held after the offering(!)
Name and address of beneficial owner(2)		(#)				(% of LLC Interests outstanding)				(#)				(% of Class A Common Stock outstanding)(3)				(#)				(% of Class A Common Stock outstanding)(3)				(#)				(%)(4)				(#)				(%)(3)				(#)				(%)(3)
ALWM Revocable Trust u/a/d 1/7/2022			1,538				*				1,538				*				—				—				—				—				1,538				*				—				—
Ashley Campbell			15,235				*				15,235				*				—				—				—				—				15,235				*				—				—
Beth Stephens			—				—				—				—				—				—				4,688				*				4,688				*				—				—
CBM Qualified Minor’s Trust Dated 11/23/05			—				—				—				—				—				—				1,824				*				1,824				*				—				—
Daniel Meyer and Affiliates:
Daniel H. Meyer Gift Trust U/A/D 10/31/12(5)			1,861,057				4.4	%			1,861,057				4.7	%			—				—				1,305,306				3.3	%			3,166,363				7.9	%			—				—
Daniel H. Meyer Investment Trust Dated 5/15/92(6)			—				—				—				—				—				—				480,436				1.2	%			480,436				1.2	%			—				—
David A. Swinghamer and Affiliate:
David A. Swinghamer			107,167				*				107,167				*				—				—				355,000				*				462,167				1.2	%			—				—
David A. Swinghamer Grat			20,000				*				20,000				*				—				—				30,000				*				50,000				*				—				—
Erin Moran			—				—				—				—				—				—				41,343				*				41,343				*				—				—
GVM Qualified Minor’s Trust Dated 11/23/05			—				—				—				—				—				—				1,097				*				1,097				*				—				—
HLM Qualified Minor’s Trust Dated 11/23/05			—				—				—				—				—				—				666				*				666				*				—				—
ILWM Qualified Minor’s Trust Dated 12/22/05			1,834				*				1,834				*				—				—				—				—				1,834				*				—				—
Jamie Welch & Fiona Angelini			—				—				—				—				—				—				78,092				*				78,092				*				—				—
Jean Polsky Investment Trust Dated 3/21/97			—				—				—				—				—				—				2,644				*				2,644				*				—				—
Joan W. Harris Revocable Trust Dated 4/1/93			9,751				*				9,751				*				—				—				—				—				9,751				*				—				—
Karen Kochevar			15,000				*				15,000				*				—				—				2,500				*				17,500				*				—				—
Laura Sloate			100,000				*				100,000				*				—				—				180,074				*				280,074				*				—				—
Orrin Devinsky			22,744				*				22,744				*				—				—				—				—				22,744				*				—				—
PEM Qualified Minor’s Trust Dated 11/23/05			—				—				—				—				—				—				1,694				*				1,694				*				—				—
Randy Garutti and Affiliate:
Randy Garutti			—				—				—				—				—				—				330,190				*				330,190				*				—				—

 

 

		LLC Interests (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock) held prior to the offering								LLC Interests to be exchanged (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock to be surrendered and cancelled) in the offering(+)(1)								LLC Interests (and an equivalent amount of shares of Class B Common Stock) held after the offering(+)								Shares of Class A Common Stock held prior to the offering (^)								Shares of Class A Common Stock that may be sold in the offering(‡)								Shares of Class A Common Stock held after the offering(!)
Name and address of beneficial owner(2)		(#)				(% of LLC Interests outstanding)				(#)				(% of Class A Common Stock outstanding)(3)				(#)				(% of Class A Common Stock outstanding)(3)				(#)				(%)(4)				(#)				(%)(3)				(#)				(%)(3)
The Randall J. Garutti 2014 GST Trust(7)			—				—				—				—				—				—				55,972				*				55,972				*				—				—
Nancy Meyer Revocable Trust Dated 4/21/87			14,900				*				14,900				*				—				—				—				—				14,900				*				—				—
Thomas W. Meyer Trust Established 12/27/94			8,576				*				8,576				*				—				—				—				—				8,576				*				—				—
Richard Coraine and Affiliate:
Richard Coraine			100,924				*				100,924				*				—				—				92,000				*				192,924				*				—				—
Richard D. Coraine 2012 Family Trust(8)			169,401				*				169,401				*				—				—				142,000				*				311,401				*				—				—
Robert Vivian(9)			—				—				—				—				—				—				32,553				*				32,553				*				—				—
Roxanne H. Frank Revocable Trust Dated 9/30/75			31,778				*				31,778				*				—				—				—				—				31,778				*				—				—
Walter Robb			8,031				*				8,031				*				—				—				—				—				8,031				*				—				—

 

 

 

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 

(+)

Continuing SSE Equity Owners will redeem (or exchange), on a one-for-one basis, their LLC Interests for newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock, to the extent they offer or sell shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus (and an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock held by such selling stockholders will be surrendered and cancelled in connection with each such LLC Interest exchange). See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—SSE Holdings LLC Agreement—LLC Interest Redemption Right” in our 2024 Proxy Statement.

 

(^)

Comprises previously issued shares of Class A Common Stock and does not include any shares of Class A Common Stock that the selling stockholder currently has the right to acquire or will have the right to acquire.

 

(‡)

Comprises (i) shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered or sold by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners after giving effect to the redemption (or exchange) of their respective LLC Interests, and (ii) shares of Class A Common Stock previously issued to the Former SSE Equity Owners. None of the shares of Class A Common Stock that the selling stockholder currently has the right to acquire or will have the right to acquire within 60 days (other than the shares after giving effect to the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests) will be sold in the offering.

 

(!)

Assumes the sale by the selling stockholders of all shares of Class A Common Stock registered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

(1)

Assumes all LLC Interests are redeemed (or exchanged) (and all shares of Class B Common Stock are surrendered and cancelled) for shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

(2)

Unless otherwise noted, the address for each selling stockholder listed on the table is c/o Shake Shack Inc., 225 Varick Street, Suite 301, New York, New York 10014.

 

(3)

Percentage of ownership calculated after adding the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon exchange of all outstanding LLC Interests held by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners to the existing number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of May 29, 2024.

 

(4)

Percentage of ownership calculated against the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of May 29, 2024.

 

(5)

Mr. Meyer’s spouse is a trustee and beneficiary of the DHM 2012 Gift Trust U/A/D 10/31/12. Mr. Meyer also holds (i) 1,610 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that will vest within 60 days and will settle in shares of Class A Common Stock when vested, (ii) and vested stock options exercisable for 10,254 shares of Class A Common Stock that are not included in the table.

 

(6)

Mr. Meyer is the grantor, trustee and beneficiary of the Daniel H. Meyer Investment Trust dated 5/15/92.

 

(7)

Mr. Garutti’s spouse is a trustee and beneficiary of the Randall J. Garutti 2014 GST Trust.

 

(8)

Mr. Coraine’s spouse is a trustee and beneficiary of the Richard D. Coraine 2012 Family Trust.

 

(9)

Mr. Vivian also holds 934 RSUs that will settle in shares of Class A Common Stock that will vest within 60 days that are not included in the table.

 

 

Redemptions or Exchanges of Llc Interests for Class A Common Stock

 

Out of the 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock that may be sold hereby, an aggregate of 2,487,936 shares of Class A Common Stock are issuable by us upon the redemptions by the Continuing SSE Equity Owners of an equivalent number of currently outstanding LLC Interests (and the surrender and cancellation of an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock).

 

The Continuing SSE Equity Owners, from time to time, pursuant to the SSE Holdings LLC Agreement, may require SSE Holdings to redeem all or a portion of their LLC Interests for newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock, which Shake Shack would contribute to SSE Holdings on a one-for-one basis. Shake Shack may, at its election, instead settle any redemption request by making a cash payment in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement. Share settlement will be the default payment unless and until a majority of the members of our Board of Directors who do not hold any LLC Interests elect cash settlement. In the event of cash settlement, Shake Shack would issue new shares of Class A Common Stock and use the proceeds from the sale of these newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock to fund the cash settlement, which, in effect, limits the amount of the cash payment to the redeeming member. If we decide to make a cash payment, a Continuing SSE Equity Owner has the option to rescind its redemption request within a specified time period.

 

Each of the currently outstanding LLC Interests described above is paired with one share of our Class B Common Stock that will be surrendered and cancelled in connection with the redemption of such LLC Interests and the issuance of an equivalent number of shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

Shake Shack may, at its election, effect direct exchanges of LLC Interests with the Continuing SSE Equity Owners, rather than a redemption of LLC Interests by SSE Holdings, for either shares of Class A Common Stock or a cash payment.

 

When Continuing SSE Equity Owners redeem, or exchange, LLC Interests for shares of Class A Common Stock, Shake Shack receives an equivalent amount of LLC Interests, increasing its total ownership interest in SSE Holdings.

 

 

Plan of Distribution

 

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of Class A Common Stock described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The selling stockholders, including their donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. To the extent any of the selling stockholders gift, pledge, grant a security interest in, or otherwise transfer the shares offered hereby, such transferees may offer and sell the shares from time to time under this prospectus, provided that this prospectus has been amended under Rule 424(b) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to include the name of such transferee in the list of selling stockholders under this prospectus if and when necessary or required.

 

The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

 

·

any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

·

the over-the-counter market;

 

·

transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

 

·

the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

·

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

·

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

·

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

·

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

·

privately negotiated transactions;

 

·

short sales;

 

·

transactions in which broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

 

·

through one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or best efforts basis;

 

·

a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

·

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

Some of the shares of Class A Common Stock covered by this prospectus may be sold by selling stockholders in private transactions or under Rule 144 under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

 

If the selling stockholders use an underwriter or underwriters for any offering, we will name them, and set forth the terms of the offering, in a prospectus supplement pertaining to such offering and, except to the extent otherwise set forth in such prospectus supplement, the selling stockholders will agree in an underwriting agreement to sell to the underwriter(s), and the underwriter(s) will agree to purchase from the selling stockholder, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock set forth in such prospectus supplement. Any such underwriter(s) may offer the shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The underwriter(s) may also propose initially to offer the shares of Class A Common Stock to the public at a fixed public offering price set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, any underwritten offering pursuant to this prospectus will be underwritten by any one or more financial institutions.

 

If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of shares or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares short and deliver shares covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.

 

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision under the Securities Act, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of Class A Common Stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Any such broker-dealer will be named as an underwriter in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and any discounts and commissions to be paid to any such broker-dealer will be disclosed therein. At the time a particular offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of Class A Common Stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of Class A Common Stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholders will sell any or all of the shares of Class A Common Stock covered by this prospectus.

 

 

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of Class A Common Stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

We will not receive any cash proceeds from our issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock to the selling stockholders or the sale by the selling stockholders of our shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus. Each selling stockholder will bear the cost of any underwriting discounts and selling commissions related to their respective offering and sale of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus. We may be required to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We, our affiliates and our respective directors, officers, employees, agents and control persons may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against liabilities that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, or we or they may be entitled to contribution.

 

 

Legal Matters

 

The validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, New York.

 

Experts

 

The consolidated financial statements of Shake Shack Inc. appearing in Shake Shack Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 27, 2023, and the effectiveness of Shake Shack Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which conclude, among other things, that Shake Shack Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023 based on Internal Control --Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), because of the effects of the material weakness described therein, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Information Incorporated by Reference

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents and all documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) pursuant to the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus any prospectus supplement (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

·

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024;

 

·

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024;

 

·

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 27, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2024;

 

·

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024, February 2, 2024, February 15, 2024, February 26, 2024, March 21, 2024, and April 17, 2024; and

 

·

the description of our Class A Common Stock as set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36749), filed with the SEC on January 28, 2015, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Any statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus, except as so modified or superseded.

 

We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto. Requests for such copies should be directed to our Investor Relations department, at the following address:

 

 

Shake Shack Inc.

 

225 Varick Street, Suite 301

 

New York, NY 10014

 

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us and the securities offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained or incorporated in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. Such reports and other information filed by us with the SEC are available free of charge on our website at investor.shakeshack.com when such reports are made available on the SEC's website. The public may read and copy any materials filed by us with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

5,626,015 Shares

of Class A Common Stock

Offered, from time to time, by the Selling Stockholders

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

June 6, 2024

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table indicates the expenses to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of the securities described in this registration statement, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which will be paid by us. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee.

 

		Amount
SEC registration fee			(1	)
Legal fees and expenses			(2	)
Accountants' fees and expenses			(2	)
Trustees’ fees and expenses			(2	)
Printing and engraving expenses			(2	)
Blue sky fees and expenses			(2	)
Miscellaneous			(2	)
Total expenses (3)		$	(2	)

 

 

(1) We are registering an indeterminate amount of securities under this registration statement, and. in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), we are deferring payment of the registration fee. The secondary offering of 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock by the selling stockholders was previously registered under a prior registration statement and in accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, no additional registration fee with respect to such shares is due in connection with the filing of this registration statement.

 

(2) These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

(3) Does not include any fees or expenses in connection with any subsequent underwritten offering and any supplements prepared in connection therewith.

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of the Registrant shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. We will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.

 

We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the Indemnitee and for the reimbursement to us if it is found that such Indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

 

We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

The Registration Rights Agreement between us and the selling stockholders provides for cross-indemnification in connection with registration of our Class A Common Stock on behalf of such selling stockholders.

 

Any underwriting agreements that we may enter into may provide that the underwriters are obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify our directors, officers and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Exhibits Index

 

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Exhibit Description

Form

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed Herewith

1.1

*

Form of Underwriting Agreement

4.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Shake Shack Inc., effective February 4, 2015

8-K

3.1

2/10/2015

4.2

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Shake Shack Inc., dated October 1, 2019.

8-K

3.1

10/4/2019

4.3

Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate

S-1/A

4.1

1/28/2015

4.4

Form of Indenture

#

4.5

*

Form of Note

4.6

*

Specimen of certificate representing preferred stock, par value $.001 per share

4.7

*

Form of Warrant Agreement

4.8

*

Form of Warrant Certificate (to be included in Exhibit 4.7)

4.9

*

Form of Deposit Agreement

4.10

*

Form of Depositary Receipt (to be included in Exhibit 4.9)

4.11

*

Form of Rights Agreement

4.12

*

Form of Rights Certificate (to be included in Exhibit 4.11)

4.13

*

Form of Unit Agreement

4.14

*

Form of Unit Certificate (to be included in Exhibit 4.13)

4.15

Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SSE Holdings, LLC, dated February 4, 2015 by and among SSE Holdings, LLC and its Members

8-K

10.3

2/10/2015

4.16

Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SSE Holdings, LLC, dated March 7, 2016, but effective as of February 5, 2015

POS AM

10.1.1

3/10/2016

4.17

Amendment No. 2 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SSE Holdings, LLC, dated February 6, 2017

10-K

10.1.2

3/13/2017

4.18

Amendment No. 3 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SSE Holdings, LLC, dated March 31, 2020

10-Q

10.1

7/31/2020

4.18

Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 4, 2015, by and among Shake Shack Inc. and each other person identified on the schedule of investors attached thereto

8-K

10.2

2/10/2015

4.19

Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated and effective as of October 8, 2015, by and among Shake Shack Inc., the Continuing SSE Equity Owners and affiliates of the Former SSE Equity Owners

10-Q

10.2

11/6/2015

5.1

Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP

#

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Exhibit Description

Form

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed Herewith

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

#

23.2

Consent of Proskauer Rose LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

#

24.1

Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page)

#

25.1

**

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under Debt Indenture

 

 

#

Filed herewith.

*

To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

**

To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the applicable rules thereunder.

 

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(A)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(B)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(C)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

Provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (A), (B) and (C) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining the liability of the registrant under the Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser

 

i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant

 

iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering contained material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(7)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(8)

To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(9)

To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, on this 6^th day of June, 2024.

 

	Shake Shack Inc.
	By:	/s/ Robert Lynch
		Robert Lynch
		Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Shake Shack Inc. hereby severally constitute and appoint Robert Lynch and Katherine Fogerty, our true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or her or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.

 

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Robert Lynch		Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert Lynch		(Principal Executive Officer)		June 6, 2024
/s/ Katherine I. Fogerty		Chief Financial Officer		June 6, 2024
Katherine I. Fogerty		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Daniel Meyer		Chairman of the Board of Directors		June 6, 2024
Daniel Meyer
/s/ Sumaiya Balbale		Director		June 6, 2024
Sumaiya Balbale
/s/ Charles J. Chapman III		Director		June 6, 2024
Charles J. Chapman III
/s/ Anna Fieler		Director		June 6, 2024
Anna Fieler
/s/ Jeff Flug		Director		June 6, 2024
Jeff Flug
/s/ Lori George		Director		June 6, 2024
Lori George
/s/ Jeffrey D. Lawrence		Director		June 6, 2024
Jeffrey D. Lawrence
/s/ Jenna Lyons		Director		June 6, 2024
Jenna Lyons
s/ Joshua Silverman		Director		June 6, 2024
Joshua Silverman
/s/ Jonathan D. Sokoloff		Director		June 6, 2024
Jonathan D. Sokoloff
/s/ Robert Vivian		Director		June 6, 2024
Robert Vivian
/s/ Tristan Walker		Director		June 6, 2024
Tristan Walker

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

SHAKE SHACK INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

and

 

__________________________,

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of

 

 

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET¹

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture dated as of [●]

 

Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
§ 310(a)		10.04(a), 15.02
§ 310(b)		10.01(f), 10.04(b), 10.05(1), 15.02
§ 310(b)(i)		10.01(f), 10.04(b), 15.02
§ 311(a)		10.01(f), 10.11, 15.02
§ 311(b)		10.01(f), 10.11, 15.02
§ 312		13.02(d), 15.02
§ 312(b)		10.10, 13.02(d), 15.02
§ 312(c)		10.10, 13.02(d), 15.02
§ 313		9.01(a), 15.02
§ 313(a)		9.01(a), 15.02
§ 313(b)		9.01(a), 15.02
§ 314		15.02
§ 315(e)		10.05, 15.02
§ 316		15.02
§ 317		15.02
§ 318		15.02

 

¹ This cross-reference sheet shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS²

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01	Definitions	2
Article II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01	Terms of the Securities	10
Section 2.02	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication	10
Section 2.03	Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent	11
Article III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01	Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series	11
Section 3.02	Denominations	14
Section 3.03	Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating	14
Section 3.04	Temporary Securities	16
Section 3.05	Registrar	17
Section 3.06	Transfer and Exchange	17
Section 3.07	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities	20
Section 3.08	Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved	20
Section 3.09	Cancellation	21
Section 3.10	Computation of Interest	21
Section 3.11	Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities	22
Section 3.12	Judgments	22
Section 3.13	CUSIP Numbers	22
Article IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01	Applicability of Right of Redemption	23
Section 4.02	Selection of Securities to be Redeemed	23
Section 4.03	Notice of Redemption	23
Section 4.04	Deposit of Redemption Price	24
Section 4.05	Securities Payable on Redemption Date	24
Section 4.06	Securities Redeemed in Part	24
Article V
SINKING FUNDS
Section 5.01	Applicability of Sinking Fund	25
Section 5.02	Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation	25
Section 5.03	Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price	25
Section 5.04	Application of Sinking Fund Payment	26

 

² The Table of Contents is not a part of the Indenture.

 

 

Article VI
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 6.01	Payments of Securities	26
Section 6.02	Paying Agent	26
Section 6.03	To Hold Payment in Trust	27
Section 6.04	Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets	28
Section 6.05	Compliance Certificate	28
Section 6.06	Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities	29
Section 6.07	Statement by Officers as to Default	29
Article VII
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01	Events of Default	29
Section 7.02	Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment	30
Section 7.03	Other Remedies	31
Section 7.04	Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact	32
Section 7.05	Priorities	32
Section 7.06	Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults	32
Section 7.07	Limitation on Suits	33
Section 7.08	Undertaking for Costs	33
Section 7.09	Remedies Cumulative	33
Article VIII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 8.01	Evidence of Action of Securityholders	34
Section 8.02	Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities	34
Section 8.03	Persons Deemed Owners	34
Section 8.04	Effect of Consents	35
Article IX
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
Section 9.01	Reports by Trustee	35
Section 9.02	Reports by the Company	35
Section 9.03	Securityholders’ Lists	35
Article X
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 10.01	Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity	36
Section 10.02	Duties of Trustee	38
Section 10.03	Notice of Defaults	39
Section 10.04	Eligibility; Disqualification	39
Section 10.05	Resignation and Notice; Removal	39
Section 10.06	Successor Trustee by Appointment	40

 

 

Section 10.07	Successor Trustee by Merger	41
Section 10.08	Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate	41
Section 10.09	Appointment of Authenticating Agent	42
Section 10.10	Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders	42
Section 10.11	Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company	42
Article XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 11.01	Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	43
Section 11.02	Discharge or Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations	43
Section 11.03	Repayment to Company	44
Section 11.04	Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations	45
Section 11.05	Deposits to Be Held in Escrow	45
Section 11.06	Application of Trust Money	45
Section 11.07	Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies	45
Article XII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 12.01	No Personal Liability	46
Article XIII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 13.01	Without Consent of Securityholders	46
Section 13.02	With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations	48
Section 13.03	Trustee Protected	48
Section 13.04	Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture	49
Section 13.05	Notation on or Exchange of Securities	49
Section 13.06	Conformity with TIA	49
Article XIV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 14.01	Agreement to Subordinate	49
Section 14.02	Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities	49
Section 14.03	No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness	51
Section 14.04	Payments on Securities Permitted	51
Section 14.05	Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination	51
Section 14.06	Notices to Trustee	51
Section 14.07	Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness	52
Section 14.08	Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness	52
Section 14.09	Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent	52
Section 14.10	Satisfaction and Discharge; Discharge and Covenant Defeasance	52
Section 14.11	Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness	53

 

 

Article XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.01	Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent	53
Section 15.02	Trust Indenture Act Controls	54
Section 15.03	Notices to the Company and Trustee	54
Section 15.04	Notices; Waiver of Notice	54
Section 15.05	Legal Holiday	55
Section 15.06	No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	55
Section 15.07	Effects of Headings and Table of Contents	55
Section 15.08	Successors and Assigns	55
Section 15.09	Separability Clause	55
Section 15.10	Benefits of Indenture	55
Section 15.11	Counterparts Originals	55
Section 15.12	Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury	55
Section 15.13	Certain Tax Information	56

 

 

INDENTURE dated as of [__], 20[__], among Shake Shak Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      , a                      , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of secured or unsecured debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof for the benefit of each other and the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities (and, to the extent the provisions of Article XIV are applicable to the Securities of any series, the benefit of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Securities of such series), each party agrees and covenants as follows:

 

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)            the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(b)            unless otherwise defined in this Indenture or the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the SEC adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(c)            the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

 

(d)            references to “Article” or “Section” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires;

 

(e)            all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America;

 

(f)            “or” is not exclusive;

 

(g)            provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(h)            references to sections of or rules under the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

 

Section 1.01           Definitions.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01 shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth:

 

Affiliate:

 

The term “Affiliate,” with respect to any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agent:

 

The term “Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Security Custodian.

 

Applicable Procedures:

 

The term “Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for the series of Securities all or part of which is evidenced by such Global Security that apply to such payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange.

 

Authenticating Agent:

 

The term “Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.09.

 

Board of Directors:

 

The term “Board of Directors” shall mean either the board of directors of the Company or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.

 

Board Resolution:

 

The term “Board Resolution” shall mean a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent that any such committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to establish or approve the matters contemplated) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification. References to any matter in this Indenture being established in, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution shall include actions taken and matters established pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions.

 

Business Day:

 

The term “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Capital Stock:

 

The term “Capital Stock” shall mean:

 

(a)            in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

(b)            in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated)     of corporate stock;

 

 

(c)            in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

(d)            any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Code:

 

The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company:

 

The term “Company” shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Company Order:

 

The term “Company Order” shall mean a written order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, any President, any Co-President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or Assistant Controller, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Corporate Trust Office:

 

The term “Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at                      , Attention:                      ,                      , or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

Covenant Defeasance:

 

The term “Covenant Defeasance” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.02.

 

Currency:

 

The term “Currency” shall mean U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.

 

Default:

 

The term “Default” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.03.

 

Defaulted Interest:

 

The term “Defaulted Interest” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b).

 

 

Depositary:

 

The term “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, each Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01(p) until one or more successor Depositaries shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

 

Designated Currency:

 

The term “Designated Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.12.

 

Discharged:

 

The term “Discharged” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.02.

 

Electronic Means:

 

The term “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: S.W.I.F.T., e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

 

Event of Default:

 

The term “Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

 

Exchange Act:

 

The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Exchange Rate:

 

The term “Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.01.

 

Floating Rate Security:

 

The term “Floating Rate Security” shall mean a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

 

Foreign Currency:

 

The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.

 

GAAP:

 

The term “GAAP,” with respect to any computations required or permitted hereunder, shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time; provided, however if the Company is required by the SEC to adopt (or is permitted to adopt and so adopts) a different accounting framework, including but not limited to the International Financial Reporting Standards, “GAAP” shall mean such new accounting framework as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, in each case, those accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

 

 

Global Security:

 

The term “Global Security” shall mean any Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities, issued in fully-registered certificated form to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(g) and any other legend required by the Depositary for such series.

 

Holder; Holder of Securities:

 

The terms “Holder” and “Holder of Securities” are defined under “Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder.”

 

Indebtedness:

 

The term “Indebtedness” shall mean indebtedness for borrowed money or for the unpaid purchase price of real or personal property of, or guaranteed by, such Person and computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Indenture:

 

The term “Indenture” or “this Indenture” shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.

 

Individual Securities:

 

The term “Individual Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.01(p).

 

Interest:

 

The term “interest” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, interest payable on any Securities, and with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

 

Interest Payment Date:

 

The term “Interest Payment Date” shall mean, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

 

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment:

 

The term “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).

 

Maturity:

 

The term “Maturity,” with respect to any Security, shall mean the date on which the principal or an installment of principal of such Security shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether at the stated maturity thereof, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

Members:

 

The term “Members” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.03(i).

 

Officer’s Certificate:

 

The term “Officer’s Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by any President, any Co-President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or any Assistant Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 15.01 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

 

Opinion of Counsel:

 

The term “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean an opinion in writing signed by one or more legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be one or more other counsel that meets the requirements, to the extent applicable to such opinion, provided for in Section 15.01.

 

Optional Sinking Fund Payment:

 

The term “Optional Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).

 

Original Issue Discount Security:

 

The term “Original Issue Discount Security” shall mean any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, or any successor provision, and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

Outstanding:

 

The term “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

(a)            Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(b)            Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities (in each case other than pursuant to Section 11.02); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

 

 

(c)            Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged pursuant to Section 11.02 or as to which Covenant Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 11.02, except, in each case, to the extent provided in Section 11.02; and

 

(d)            Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).

 

Paying Agent:

 

The term “Paying Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.02(a).

 

Person:

 

The term “Person” shall mean an (y) individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Place of Payment:

 

The term “Place of Payment” shall mean, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

 

Predecessor Security:

 

The term “Predecessor Security” shall mean, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

 

Record Date:

 

The term “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on any date specified in such Security for the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.01.

 

 

Redemption Date:

 

The term “Redemption Date” shall mean, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security, which, in the case of a Floating Rate Security, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, shall be an Interest Payment Date only.

 

Redemption Price:

 

The term “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, shall mean the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the applicable Security and this Indenture.

 

Register:

 

The term “Register” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

 

Registrar:

 

The term “Registrar” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

 

Responsible Officer:

 

The term “Responsible Officer” of the Trustee hereunder shall mean any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

SEC:

 

The term “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.

 

Securities Act:

 

The term “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Security:

 

The term “Security” or “Securities” shall have the meaning stated in the recitals and shall more particularly mean one or more of the Securities duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Security Custodian:

 

The term “Security Custodian” shall mean the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Paying Agent.

 

Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder:

 

The term “Securityholder” or “Holder of Securities” or “Holder,” shall mean the Person in whose name Securities shall be registered in the Register.

 

 

Senior Indebtedness:

 

The term “Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (x) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed other than (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred, and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Trade Payables and (f) any Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, and (y) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Indebtedness. For purposes of this definition of “Senior Indebtedness,” the phrase “subordinated in right of payment” means debt subordination only and not lien subordination, and accordingly, (i) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of the fact that it is unsecured, and (ii) junior liens, second liens and other contractual arrangements that provide for priorities among Holders of the same or different issues of indebtedness with respect to any collateral or the proceeds of collateral shall not constitute subordination in right of payment. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.

 

Special Record Date:

 

The term “Special Record Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b)(i).

 

Stated Maturity:

 

The term “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal or interest thereon, shall mean the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such date is not a Business Day, then payment of such amounts payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such date.

 

Subsidiary:

 

The term “Subsidiary,” when used with respect to any Person, shall mean:

 

(a)            any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(b)            any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

Successor Company:

 

The term “Successor Company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.06(i).

 

Trade Payables:

 

The term “Trade Payables” means accounts payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities).

 

 

Trust Indenture Act; TIA:

 

The term “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 13.06 and except to the extent any amendment to the Trust Indenture Act expressly provides for application of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on another date.

 

Trustee:

 

The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

U.S. Dollars:

 

The term “U.S. Dollars” shall mean such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

U.S. Government Obligations:

 

The term “U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.02.

 

United States:

 

The term “United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

Article II

 

FORMS OF SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01           Terms of the Securities

 

(a)            The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form set forth in an Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or not prohibited by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which any series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by any of the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

(b)            The terms and provisions of the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

 

Section 2.02           Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

 

(a)            Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.

 

 

(b)            Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except that any Global Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated in Section 3.01.

 

(c)            The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

Date of authentication: ___________

[____________________________], [__________________], as Trustee

 

By:

Authorized Signatory

 

Section 2.03           Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent. If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of authentication: ___________

[____________________________], [__________________], as Trustee

 

By:

[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT]

as Authenticating Agent

 

By:

Authorized Signatory

 

Article III

 

THE DEBT SECURITIES

 

Section 3.01           Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

 

(a)            the title of the Securities of the series including CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);

 

(b)            any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 13.05) and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

 

(c)            the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;

 

(d)            the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, whether such interest shall be payable in cash or additional Securities of the same series or another class or series of securities or shall accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series (including if such Securities were originally issued at a discount), the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;

 

(e)            if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms concerning such payment;

 

(f)            if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(g)            if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;

 

(h)            the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;

 

(i)            the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

 

(j)            the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(k)            if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(l)            if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02;

 

(m)            the guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, and the release of the guarantors), if any, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such Securities;

 

 

(n)            whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount with which such Securities may be issued;

 

(o)            provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of the series in whole or in part and any addition to or change in the provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;

 

(p)            whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Global Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby in definitive form registered in the name or names of Persons other than such Depositary or a nominee or nominees thereof (“Individual Securities”);

 

(q)            the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

(r)            the form of the Securities of the series;

 

(s)            if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes to this Indenture, if any, to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

 

(t)            whether the Securities of such series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

(u)            any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

 

(v)            any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to Securities of such series;

 

(w)           any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 13.01, 13.02 and 13.04 which applies to Securities of such series;

 

(x)            provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

(y)            any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VII which applies to Securities of the series;

 

(z)            any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series;

 

(aa)           if any payment or other obligations on Securities of such series or guarantees thereof are to be secured by any property, the nature of such security and provisions related thereto; and

 

(bb)           any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).

 

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 3.01, the Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, re-open any series of Securities previously issued under this Indenture and issue additional Securities of such series, all of which together shall constitute a single series of Securities under this Indenture; provided that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to this Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, no additional Securities of any series may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Any such re-opening and the terms thereof (including, without limitation, the principal amount of the additional Securities of such series to be issued) shall be set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto delivered to the Trustee prior to the issuance of any such additional Securities of such series.

 

Section 3.02           Denominations. In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.

 

Section 3.03           Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

(a)            The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of any President, any Co-President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents, its Controller or one of its Assistant Controllers, its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

(b)            At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of such Securities is to be authenticated.

 

(c)            In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 10.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

(i)            an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

 

(ii)           an Officer’s Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 15.01; and

 

(iii)          an Opinion of Counsel delivered in accordance with Section 15.01 and which shall also state (subject to any assumptions or qualifications deemed necessary by counsel providing such Opinion of Counsel):

 

(1)            that the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)            that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(3)            that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to any necessary assumptions or qualifications, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

 

(d)            The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

(e)            Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(f)            Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all of the Securities of any series are not to be originally issued at the same time, then the documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03 must be delivered only once prior to the authentication and delivery of the first Security of such series;

 

(g)            If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or the applicable Security Custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect (or to such other effect as may be required by such Depositary):

 

“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE (I) BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR (II) BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR THE DEPOSITARY TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITORY] TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY] OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY], ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”

 

The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture, or on a schedule to such Global Security.

 

 

(h)            Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.

 

(i)            Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

 

(j)            No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or by an Authenticating Agent by manual or facsimile signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of thi Indenture.

 

Section 3.04           Temporary Securities.

 

(a)            Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in the form of one or more Global Securities, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.

 

(b)            If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

(c)            Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the Individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.

 

 

Section 3.05           Registrar.

 

(a)            The Company will keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the “Registrar”), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Register”), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by the Trustee. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term “Registrar” includes any co-Registrar.

 

(b)            The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any series, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 10.01. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.

 

(c)            The Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such. If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to the Trustee ten (10) days prior to each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of the Holders as they appear in the Register.

 

Section 3.06           Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)            Transfer.

 

(i)           Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(ii)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the Individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(b)            Exchange.

 

(i)            At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at the Registrar.

 

(ii)          Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

 

(c)            Exchange of Global Securities for Individual Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Individual Securities.

 

(i)            Individual Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if: (A) at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(h) and, in each case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.

 

In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for Individual Securities pursuant to this subsection (c), such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities of authorized denominations.

 

(ii)          The owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to receive an Individual Security in exchange for such interest if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt by the Security Custodian and Registrar of instructions from the Holder of a Global Security directing the Security Custodian and Registrar to (x) issue one or more Individual Securities in the amounts specified to the owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security and (y) debit or cause to be debited an equivalent amount of beneficial interest in such Global Security, subject to the rules and regulations of the Depositary:

 

(A)           the Security Custodian and Registrar shall notify the Company and the Trustee of such instructions, identifying the owner and amount of such beneficial interest in such Global Security;

 

(B)           the Company shall promptly execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver to such beneficial owner Individual Securities in an equivalent amount to such beneficial interest in such Global Security; and

 

(C)           the Security Custodian and Registrar shall decrease such Global Security by such amount in accordance with the foregoing. In the event that the Individual Securities are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Individual Securities, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial Holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holder’s Securities as if such Individual Securities had been issued.

 

(iii)         If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Individual Securities of such series on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

 

(A)           to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Individual Security or new Individual Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

 

 

(B)           to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

(iv)          In any exchange provided for in clauses (i) through (iii), the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Individual Securities in registered form in authorized denominations.

 

(v)           Upon the exchange in full of a Global Security for Individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

(d)            All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(e)            Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(f)            No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities. The Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.

 

(g)            The Company shall not be required to (i) register, transfer or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the transmission of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, or (ii) register, transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

(h)            Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer or exchange of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for all purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

 

(i)            In case a successor Company (“Successor Company”) has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article XIII, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered pursuant to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.

 

(j)            Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities laws.

 

(k)            The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(l)            Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

Section 3.07           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

(a)            If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, that neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution. In every case, the applicant for a replacement Security shall furnish the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to them to save each of them harmless.

 

(b)            In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.

 

(c)            Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

(d)            Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

(e)            The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

Section 3.08           Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

 

(a)            Interest on any Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

 

 

(b)            Any interest on any Security that is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

 

(i)            The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to the Holders of such Securities not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been given as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

 

(ii)           The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

(c)            Subject to the provisions set forth herein relating to Record Dates, each Security delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 3.09           Cancellation. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or credit against any sinking fund or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 3.10           Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

Section 3.11           Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Securities of such series will be made in U.S. Dollars.

 

(b)            For purposes of any provision of this Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of all series perform such action and for purposes of any decision or determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency will be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon exchange rates, determined as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such decision or determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.

 

(c)            Any decision or determination to be made regarding exchange rates shall be made by an agent appointed by the Company; provided, that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding exchange rates shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.

 

Section 3.12           Judgments. The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.

 

Section 3.13           CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice (including any notice of redemption or exchange) with respect to such series provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such notice, redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.

 

 

Article IV

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 4.01           Applicability of Right of Redemption. Redemption of Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

 

Section 4.02           Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

(a)            If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 35 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, and, if less than all of the Securities of such series are to be redeemed, thereupon the Trustee shall select the particular Securities of such series to be redeemed from the Outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore called for redemption by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate, subject to the Applicable Procedures, and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series. The Trustee shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Company in writing of the Securities and portions of Securities so selected.

 

(b)            For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company or any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.

 

Section 4.03           Notice of Redemption.

 

(a)            Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article, in the manner provided in Section 15.04. Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.

 

(b)            All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:

 

(i)            such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;

 

(ii)           the Redemption Date;

 

(iii)          the Redemption Price or, if the Redemption Price is not then known, the manner of calculation thereof;

 

(iv)          if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;

 

 

(v)           that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

 

(vi)          the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

 

(vii)         that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

 

(viii)        that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

 

(c)            If the Redemption Price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as described in the terms of the Securities, will be set forth in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

Section 4.04           Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to [ ], New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 6.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 4.05           Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price; provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

 

Section 4.06           Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so redeemed, the balance of such Global Security shall be reduced in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

 

 

Article V

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 5.01           Applicability of Sinking Fund.

 

(a)            Redemption of Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series by the terms of such series of Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms of such series of Securities and this Article, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

 

(b)            The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02.

 

Section 5.02           Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation. The Company may, at its option, satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, in whole or in part, with respect to a particular series of Securities by (a) delivering to the Trustee Securities of such series in transferable form theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or redeemed at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 or (b) receiving credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company and theretofore delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall credit such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation with an amount equal to the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be reduced accordingly. If the Company shall elect to so satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate, which shall designate the Securities (and portions thereof, if any) so delivered or credited and which shall be accompanied by such Securities (to the extent not theretofore delivered) in transferable form. In case of the failure of the Company, at or before the time so required, to give such notice and deliver such Securities the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation shall be paid entirely in moneys.

 

Section 5.03           Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price. In addition to the sinking fund requirements of Section 5.02, to the extent, if any, provided for by the terms of a particular series of Securities, the Company may, at its option, make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such Securities. Unless otherwise provided by such terms, (a) to the extent that the right of the Company to make such Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall not be exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year, and (b) such optional payment shall operate to reduce the amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation as to Securities of the same series. If the Company intends to exercise its right to make such optional payment in any year it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate stating that the Company will exercise such optional right, and specifying the amount which the Company will pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Such Officer’s Certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

 

Section 5.04           Application of Sinking Fund Payment.

 

(a)            If the sinking fund payment or payments made in funds pursuant to either Section 5.02 or 5.03 with respect to a particular series of Securities plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in funds with respect to such series shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request, or such equivalent sum for Securities denominated other than in U.S. Dollars), it shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to the redemption of Securities of such series at the redemption price specified pursuant to Section 4.03(b). The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.03(a) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.04. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.

 

(b)            On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 5.04.

 

(c)            The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on any Securities of such series or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall theretofore have been given in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities if funds sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.04.

 

Article VI

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

 

Section 6.01           Payments of Securities. The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, on each series of Securities, and the interest which shall have accrued thereon, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.

 

Section 6.02           Paying Agent.

 

(a)            The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (the “Paying Agent”). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(b)            The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

 

 

 

Section 6.03           To Hold Payment in Trust.

 

(a)           If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate will segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest which shall have so become payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard.

 

Upon any proceeding under any federal bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.

 

(b)           If the Company shall appoint, and at the time have, a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any series of Securities, then prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities will promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment.

 

(c)           If the Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.03, that such Paying Agent shall:

 

(i)            hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

(ii)           give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series; and

 

(iii)          at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

(d)           Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 6.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

 

 

(e)           Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order along with any interest that has accumulated thereon as a result of such money being invested at the direction of the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 6.04          Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:

 

(a)           The Company will not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to any other Person, unless (i) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person expressly assumes, by indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by such Person prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all other obligations to the Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture or under the Securities to be performed or observed by the Company; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to (A) any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease between or among the Company and one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, (B) any merger of the Company into any Subsidiary of the Company or (C) any merger of the Company into an Affiliate of the Company for the purpose of the Company reincorporating or reorganizing.

 

(b)           Upon any consolidation of the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person, or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other Person, in accordance with this Section 6.04, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such Person may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company, or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale, conveyance or transfer, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 6.04) shall be relieved of and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.

 

Section 6.05          Compliance Certificate. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or secretary as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 15.01 of this Indenture.

 

 

Section 6.06          Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VIII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 6.07          Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default under clause (d) of Section 7.01, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Article VII

 

REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

 

Section 7.01          Events of Default. Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:

 

(a)           the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Security of such series when and as the same shall become payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such 30 day period);

 

(b)           the failure of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at Maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

 

(c)           the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become payable by the terms of a Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

 

(d)           the failure of the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, to perform any covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities of such series were issued as contemplated by Section 3.01) (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series and other than a covenant or agreement a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section 7.01 specifically addressed), which failure shall not have been remedied, and without provision deemed to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(e)           the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the United States federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, which decree or order shall have remained unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

 

 

(f)            the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the United States federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

 

(g)           the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01; provided, however, that no event described in clause (d) or (other than with respect to a payment default) (g) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or until a written notice of any such event is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice refers to the facts underlying such event, the Securities generally, the Company and this Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a Foreign Currency and such Foreign Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in U.S. Dollars in an amount equal to the equivalent in U.S. Dollars of the amount payable in such Foreign Currency, as determined by the Company’s agent in accordance with Section 3.11(c) hereof by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Foreign Currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, any payment made under such circumstances in U.S. Dollars where the required payment is in a Foreign Currency will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

Section 7.02          Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment.

 

(a)           Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued but unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then, in every such case, the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.

 

(b)           The provisions of Section 7.02(a) are subject to the condition that, at any time after the principal of all the Securities of such series, to which any one or more of the above-described Events of Default is applicable, shall have been so declared to be due and payable, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Event of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if:

 

(i)            the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent a sum in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay:

 

(A)           all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a) (provided, however, that all sums payable under this clause (A) shall be paid in U.S. Dollars);

 

 

(B)            all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by such Securities at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities); and

 

(C)            the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon; and

 

(ii)           every other Default and Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 7.06.

 

(c)           No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

(d)           For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

 

Section 7.03          Other Remedies. If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption (other than pursuant to the sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any required sinking fund payment as to a series of Securities, then, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of such series, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a).

 

In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

 

 

Section 7.04        Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every taker or Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding; provided further that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

 

Section 7.05          Priorities. Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VII shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

 

First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a).

 

Second: Subject to Article XIV, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Outstanding Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Outstanding Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively.

 

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Section 7.06          Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 10.01 and 11.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action so directed is in conflict with this Indenture or may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability, provided further that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a Default in the payment of interest or any premium on or the principal of the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

 

 

Section 7.07          Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more of the Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, (c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, (d) the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (e) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60 day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding; and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.

 

Section 7.08          Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 7.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee or the Company, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.

 

Section 7.09          Remedies Cumulative. No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VII to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

 

 

Article VIII

 

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

Section 8.01          Evidence of Action of Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depositary for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company).

 

Section 8.02          Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities. Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

 

(a)           The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.

 

(b)           The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.

 

(c)           The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the requirement is a reasonable one.

 

(d)           If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.

 

Section 8.03          Persons Deemed Owners.

 

(a)           The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, if any, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.

 

(b)           None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

 

Section 8.04          Effect of Consents. After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Article IX

 

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS

 

Section 9.01          Reports by Trustee.

 

(a)           So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided therein. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each [______], beginning [___], deliver to Holders a brief report which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a). The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent applicable.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01, file a copy of such report with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, if any. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when, as and if the Securities become listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

 

(c)           The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01 and of Section 9.02.

 

Section 9.02          Reports by the Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, unless available on EDGAR, any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

Section 9.03          Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

 

(a)           semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and

 

(b)           at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

 

 

Article X

 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 10.01        Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:

 

(a)           The Trustee shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any Agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee (including the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability or expense incurred without its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any Agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person), except those attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 10.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 10.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the termination of this Indenture and any satisfaction and discharge under Article XII. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 7.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(c)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and, to the extent permitted by Section 10.02, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel.

 

 

(d)           The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 10.02, may rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, a Company Order or an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

 

(e)           Subject to Section 10.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

 

(f)           Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

 

(g)           Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

 

(h)           Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(i)            Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more of the Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

 

(j)            Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(k)           Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Securities notify the Trustee thereof at its Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(l)            Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 

(m)          The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

 

(n)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, lost profit), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

 

(o)           The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

(p)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and significant interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

(q)           The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

 

Section 10.02        Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)           If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

 

(i)            the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(ii)            in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

 

(c)           None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary,

 

(i)            this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (b) of this Section;

 

(ii)           the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii)          the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Securityholders given as provided in Section 7.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

 

(d)           None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(e)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 10.02.

 

Section 10.03        Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee (provided that, with respect to any Default specified in Section 7.01(d), such notice shall not be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence of such Default and unless at such time such Default is continuing), by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 7.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become payable, or to make any mandatory sinking fund payment as to Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series.

 

Section 10.04        Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

(a)           The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any series of Securities under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act (including the provisions thereof allowing the Trustee to apply to the Commission for permission not to resign) and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 10.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.

 

Section 10.05        Resignation and Notice; Removal. The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.

 

 

If at any time:

 

(1)            the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

 

(2)            the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 10.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

 

(3)            the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by 30 days’ prior written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

In addition, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities at any time for any reason to the extent the Company has given the Trustee at least 30 days’ written notice and as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 10.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

 

Section 10.06        Successor Trustee by Appointment.

 

(a)           In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Section 10.05, in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said subdivision), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series) or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.04 and 10.05, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of that or those series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be given to the Holders of Securities of such series, but any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series so appointed shall, immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by each of such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the giving of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

 

 

(b)           If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not within 30 days thereafter have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Securities of such series or if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

 

(c)           Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 10.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 10.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee or the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

 

Section 10.07        Successor Trustee by Merger. Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

Section 10.08        Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate. Subject to Section 10.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 15.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate or a Company Order with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate or Company Order, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

 

Section 10.09        Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.

 

Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article X, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article X, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article X.

 

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Article X, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 10.09.

 

The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 10.09, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 10.01.

 

Section 10.10        Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders. Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to such communications.

 

Section 10.11        Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee that has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated therein.

 

 

Article XI

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

Section 11.01        Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series, shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

 

(a)           either:

 

(i)            all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07 and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 6.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)           all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

(A)           have become due and payable, or

 

(B)            will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(C)            are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

 

and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(b)           the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

(c)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 10.01 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (a)(i) of this Section with respect to Securities of such series, the obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Section 6.03(e) and 11.07 shall survive.

 

Section 11.02        Discharge or Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations. At the Company’s option, either (a) the Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to Securities of any series on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall be deemed to have effected Covenant Defeasance with respect to Securities of any series at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (and such action or event under clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph in no circumstance may be construed as an Event of Default under Section 7.01):

 

(a)           the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and premium are due;

 

 

(b)           no Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds and the grant of any related liens to be applied to such deposit); and

 

(c)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate as required by Section 15.01 and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such action had not been exercised and, in the case of the Securities of such series being Discharged accompanied by a ruling to that effect received from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Discharged” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 6.02, 11.05 and 11.06 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

“Covenant Defeasance” with respect to the Securities of any series means that the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 6.04 and Section 9.02 with respect to Securities of such series (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 3.01, any other covenant added for the benefit of such series pursuant to Section 3.01), whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or any such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or any such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default. Securities of any series with respect to which Covenant Defeasance has been effected pursuant to this Section 11.02 shall thereafter be deemed to be not Outstanding for the purposes of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such Section or any such other covenant with respect to the Securities of such series, but shall continue to be deemed to be Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).

 

Section 11.03        Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11.06. The provisions of Section 6.03(e) shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 11.02.

 

 

Section 11.04        Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

 

Section 11.05        Deposits to Be Held in Escrow. Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 11.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 11.04 and 11.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. If any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any mandatory sinking fund payment requirements, whether by deposit of moneys, application of proceeds of deposited U.S. Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess moneys pursuant to Section 11.03 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the sinking fund payment requirements so satisfied.

 

If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to optional sinking fund payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.03 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional sinking fund payment rights by the Company, such agreement shall, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.03 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.

 

Section 11.06        Application of Trust Money.

 

(a)           Neither the Trustee nor any other Paying Agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time outstanding, as the case may be, shall be repaid by the Trustee or such other Paying Agent to the Company upon its written request and thereafter, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any rights of the Holders of Securities of such series in respect of which such moneys shall have been deposited shall be enforceable only against the Company, and all liability of the Trustee or such other Paying Agent with respect to such moneys shall thereafter cease.

 

(b)           Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph, any moneys which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other Paying Agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other Paying Agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys shall have been deposited; but such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 11.07        Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article shall be as set forth in the Company Order or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.

 

 

Article XII

 

IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS

 

Section 12.01        No Personal Liability. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, partner, stockholder, other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor entity, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor entity, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely obligations of the Company, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, partner, stockholder, other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor entity, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor entity, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, partner, stockholder, other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor entity is, by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities, expressly waived and released.

 

Article XIII

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 13.01        Without Consent of Securityholders. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:

 

(a)           to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

 

(b)           to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to fewer than all such series of the Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable), and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith;

 

(c)           to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;

 

(d)           to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;

 

(e)           to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

 

 

(f)            to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 10.06(c);

 

(g)           to secure any series of Securities or to release any collateral or lien securing Securities of any series in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series;

 

(h)           to evidence any changes to this Indenture pursuant to Sections 10.05, 10.06 or 10.07 hereof as permitted by the terms thereof;

 

(i)            to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof;

 

(j)            to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(k)           to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities or to release guarantors from their guarantees of Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of Securities;

 

(l)            to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Holders of such Securities;

 

(m)          to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;

 

(n)           to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;

 

(o)           to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

 

(p)           to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 13.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.

 

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 13.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding.

 

 

Section 13.02        With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations.

 

(a)           With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VIII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,

 

(i)            extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or extend the Stated Maturity of, or change the place of payment where, or the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01; or

 

(ii)           reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

 

(iii)           modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 7.06 or Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 6.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 10.06 and 13.01(f); or

 

(iv)          modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

 

(b)           A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

(c)           It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 13.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

 

(d)           The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section. Such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or waiver or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(e)           Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.02, the Company shall give a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities. Any failure of the Company to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 

Section 13.03        Trustee Protected. Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 15.01 stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 13.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

 

Section 13.04        Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 13.05        Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.

 

Section 13.06        Conformity with TIA. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Article XIV

 

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 14.01        Agreement to Subordinate. In the event a series of Securities is designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01, and except as otherwise provided in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of such series, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, by his, her or its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities of such series is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. Each Holder of such Securities designated as subordinated may be fully subordinated to interests held by the United States government in the event that the Company enters into a bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding. In the event a series of Securities is not designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01(t), this Article XIV shall have no effect upon the Securities of such series.

 

Section 14.02        Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities. Subject to Section 14.01, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

 

(a)           the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and

 

 

(b)           any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XIV shall be paid by the liquidation trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

 

(c)           in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or his, her or its representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, as calculated by the Company, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

(d)           Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to such holder have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness) to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XIV are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XIV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XIV of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XIV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 14.05, shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereof and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XIV.

 

(e)           For purposes of this Section 14.02, the words, “cash or, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of Capital Stock or warrants to purchase shares of Capital Stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other Person provided for by a plan of arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated (at least to the extent provided in this Article XIV with respect to the Securities of such) to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new Person, if any, resulting from any such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, adversely altered by such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale, conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 6.04 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 14.02 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Section 6.04.

 

 

Section 14.03        No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 14.01, no payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made at any time if: (i) a default on Senior Indebtedness exists that permits the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and (ii) the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company has received notice of such default. The Company may resume payments on the Securities when full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

 

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 14.03, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

Section 14.04        Payments on Securities Permitted. Subject to Section 14.01, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 14.02 and 14.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or assets deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any fact prohibiting the making of such payment from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee on or before the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for such payment.

 

Section 14.05        Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination. Subject to Section 14.01, each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XIV and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

Section 14.06        Notices to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV. Subject to Section 14.01, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XIV or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to presume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 14.06 with respect to any such moneys or assets on or before the third Business Day prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys or assets may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys or assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it after the third Business Day prior to such date. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XIV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XIV and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

 

Regardless of anything to the contrary herein, nothing shall prevent (a) any payment by the Company or the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts in connection with a redemption of Securities if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article IV prior to the receipt by the Trustee of written notice of prohibition as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, or (b) any payment by the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts deposited with it pursuant to Article XI.

 

Section 14.07        Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 14.01, the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XIV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XIV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 7.05 or 10.01.

 

Section 14.08        Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness. Subject to Section 14.01, any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article XIV or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

 

Section 14.09        Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Subject to Section 14.01, upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XIV, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XIV.

 

Section 14.10        Satisfaction and Discharge; Discharge and Covenant Defeasance. Subject to Section 14.01, amounts and U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article XI and not, at the time of such deposit, prohibited to be deposited under Sections 14.02 or 14.03 shall not be subject to this Article XIV.

 

Section 14.11        Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XIV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company, or any other Person, moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XIV or otherwise.

 

 

Article XV

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 15.01        Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.

 

(a)           Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

(b)           Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the view or opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the view or opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

(c)           Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

(d)           Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

 

(e)           In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

(f)           Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

 

Section 15.02        Trust Indenture Act Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

Section 15.03        Notices to the Company and Trustee. Any notice, demand or other communication authorized by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be in writing and mailed, delivered or telefaxed (or, in the case of such notice, demand or other communication by the Company to the Trustee, sent by e-mail that has been confirmed received or otherwise sent in accordance with Section 15.03(a)):

 

(a)           in the case of such notice, demand or other communication to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with the Company, to the Company at [__], Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile No.: [__] or at such other address or other facsimile number or e-mail address as the Company may designate from time to time by notice to the Trustee; and

 

(b)           in the case of such notice, demand or other communication to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with the Trustee, to the Trustee at [__], Attention: [__], Facsimile No.: [__] or such other facsimile number or e-mail address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company.

 

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Any such notice, demand or other communication shall be in the English language.

 

Section 15.04        Notices; Waiver of Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided):

 

(a)           if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register; provided, that in the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder; or

 

(b)           in the case of any Holder of a Global Security, if transmitted to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) in accordance with the applicable procedures of such Depositary.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery; neither the failure to mail or send such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in the Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

 

Section 15.05        Legal Holiday. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.

 

Section 15.06        No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan agreement or debt agreement of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Any such indenture, loan agreement or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 15.07        Effects of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 15.08        Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 15.09        Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 15.10        Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities and, as to any series of Securities to which Article XIV is applicable, Senior Indebtedness, any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

 

Section 15.11        Counterparts Originals. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or by transmission as a PDF e-mail attachment shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF e-mail attachment shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 15.12        Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury. This Indenture and the Securities shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.

 

THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.

 

 

EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.

 

Section 15.13        Certain Tax Information. In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Tax Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to the Indenture, the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Tax Law and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under the Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Tax Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The terms of this Section 15.13 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

	SHAKE SHACK INC, as Issuer
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	[_______________], as Trustee
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

June 6, 2024

 

Shake Shack Inc.

225 Varick Street, Suite 301

New York, NY 10014

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel for Shake Shack Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed on or about the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement contains a prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”) that provides it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements, and a resale prospectus (the “Resale Prospectus”), and relates to:

 

(a)

The Company’s offer and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, of an undetermined amount of the following securities:

 

i)

debt securities (the “Debt Securities”);

 

ii)

shares (“Company Shares”) of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (“Class A Common Stock”);

 

iii)

shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”);

 

iv)

warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Class A Common Stock, or Preferred Stock evidenced by warrant certificates independently or together with any securities offered by a prospectus supplement (the “Warrants”);

 

v)

rights to purchase Class A Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the “Rights”);

 

vi)

depositary shares representing Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”); and

 

vii)

units of a combination of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (the “Units” and together with the Debt Securities, Company Shares, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Rights, and Depositary Shares, the “Company Securities”).

 

(b)

The proposed resale of up to 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Selling Stockholder Shares” and, together with the Company Securities, the “Securities”). The Selling Stockholder Shares are to be offered and sold by the selling stockholders listed in the Resale Prospectus (the “Selling Stockholders”), and consist of (i) 3,138,079 shares of Class A Common Stock (“Current Shares”) that have been issued to certain of the Selling Stockholders, and (ii) 2,487,936 shares of Class A Common Stock (“Redemption Shares”) that may be issued by the Company upon the redemption (or exchange) by certain of the Selling Stockholders of an equivalent number of LLC interests of SSE Holdings, LLC.

 

 

We have examined: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Base Prospectus; (iii) the Resale Prospectus; (iv) the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, as amended and currently in effect; (v) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and restated; (vi) the Limited Liability Company Agreement of SSE Holdings, LLC, as amended (the “LLC Agreement”); (vii) the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and (viii) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

 

In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that:

 

a)

any Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more indentures, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as trustee;

 

b)

prior to the delivery of any Company Security, the Board of Directors shall have duly established the terms of such Security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such Security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded;

 

c)

the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded;

 

d)

a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Company Securities offered thereby;

 

e)

all Company Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement;

 

f)

a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Company Securities will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto;

 

g)

there shall be no change in law affecting the validity of any of the Securities (between the date hereof and the date of issuance and sale of such Securities); and

 

h)

all parties to agreements involving the issuance or sale of the Securities will perform their obligations thereunder in compliance with the terms of such documents.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that,

 

(1)

With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) an indenture relating thereto has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance of the Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; and (iii) the Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Company, and upon payment of the consideration therefor or provided for therein, then the Debt Securities will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

 

(2)

With respect to the Company Shares, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and sale of the Company Shares, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (ii) such Company Shares have been issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of any applicable convertible or exchangeable security, definitive purchase, underwriting or other agreement binding on the Company and the terms approved by the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) and (iii) the Company has received payment of the cash or other lawful consideration provided to be paid for the Company Shares, which consideration shall not be less than the par value thereof, such Company Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(3)

With respect to the Preferred Stock, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the designation of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of any series of Preferred Stock, (ii) a Certificate of Designations relating to such series of Preferred Stock has been properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (iii) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and sale of such shares of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (iv) such shares of Preferred Stock have been issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of any applicable convertible or exchangeable security, definitive purchase, underwriting or other agreement binding on the Company and the terms approved by the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) and (v) the Company has received payment of the cash or other lawful consideration provided to be paid for the Preferred Stock, which consideration shall not be less than the par value thereof, such shares of Preferred Stock will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(4)

With respect to the Warrants, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and establish the terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering of such Warrants, and related matters, (ii) one or more agreements incorporating the terms and other provisions of the Warrants has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and a warrant agent (each, a “Warrant Agreement”), (iii) the Warrant certificates have been duly executed, authenticated or countersigned, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the appropriate Warrant Agreement (assuming the Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action), and upon payment of the consideration therefor or provided for therein, then the Warrants will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

 

(5)

With respect to the Rights, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and establish the terms of the Rights, the terms of the offering of such Rights, and related matters, (ii) one or more agreements incorporating the terms and other provisions of the Rights has been duly executed and delivered by the Company (each, a “Rights Agreement”), (iii) the Rights have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable Rights Agreement (assuming the Common Stock and Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action), and upon payment of the consideration therefor or provided for therein, then the Rights will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(6)

With respect to the Depositary Shares, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and establish the terms of the Depositary Shares, the terms of the offering of such Depositary Shares, and related matters, (ii) one or more agreements incorporating the terms and other provisions of the Depositary Shares has been executed and delivered by the Company (each, a “Deposit Agreement”), (iii) the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by the depositary in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement (assuming the Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action), and upon payment of the consideration therefor or provided for therein, then the Depositary Shares will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(7)

With respect to the Units, when (i) the Board (or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and establish the terms of the Units, the terms of the offering of such Units, and related matters, (ii) one or more agreements incorporating the terms and other provisions thereof has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and a unit agent (each, a “Unit Agreement”), (iii) the Unit certificates have been duly executed, authenticated or countersigned, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the appropriate Unit Agreement (assuming the Securities issuable upon exercise of the Securities comprising the Units have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action), and upon payment of the consideration therefor or provided for therein, then the Units will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

 

(8)

The Current Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and are legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(9)

When the Redemption Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the Selling Stockholders, and have been issued by the Company against the consideration therefor contemplated by the LLC Agreement, the Redemption Shares will have been duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The opinions expressed herein are qualified in the following respects:

 

(1)

We have assumed that (i) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original and all signatures on each such document are genuine and (ii) each certificate from governmental officials reviewed by us is accurate, complete and authentic, and all official public records are accurate and complete.

 

(2)

This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

We hereby consent to the references to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Base Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Proskauer Rose LLP

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Shake Shack Inc. for the registration of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights, and units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 29, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Shake Shack Inc.,  and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Shake Shack Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 27, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

June 6, 2024

 

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

CALCULATION OF FILING FEE TABLE

FORM S-3

(Form Type)

 

SHAKE SHACK INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

	Security Type	Security Class Title	Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule	Amount Registered	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit	Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Fee Rate	Amount of Registration Fee	Carry Forward Form Type	Carry Forward File Number	Carry Forward Initial effective date	Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward
Newly Registered Securities
Fees to be Paid	Debt	Debt securities	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Equity	Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Equity	Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Equity	Depositary Shares	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Other	Warrants	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Other	Rights	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
	Other	Units	Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)	(1)	(1)	(1)		(2)
Carry Forward Securities
Carry Forward Securities	Equity	Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	Rule 415(a)(6)	5,626, 015(3)	(4)	(4)		(4)	S-3 ASR	333- 256864	June 7, 2021	(4)
	Total Offering Amounts					(4)		N/A
	Total Fees Previously Paid							(4)
	Total Fee Offsets							N/A
	Net Fee Due							N/A

 

 

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at unspecified prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

(2)	The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.

(3)

With respect to this secondary offering, this registration statement registers 4,498,588 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Shake Shack Inc. Pursuant to Rule 416, this registration statement also relates to an indeterminate number of additional shares of Class A Common Stock which may be issued with respect to such shares of Class A Common Stock by way of stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications or similar transactions.

(4)

Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), Shake Shack Inc. includes on this registration statement 5,626,015 shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered by the selling stockholders for which filing fees in the aggregate amount of $139,838.83 (based on the filing fee rates in effect at the time such shares were initially registered) was previously paid or deemed to have been paid in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement (File No. 333-256864) (the "Prior Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2021 and supplemented on July 2, 2021, and the filing fees previously paid will continue to apply to the Class A Common Stock to be offered by the selling stockholders. The Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the filing date of this Registration Statement.

 

 

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