Form 8-K
8-K — HORMEL FOODS CORP /DE/
Accession: 0001104659-26-112101
Filed: 2026-09-30
Period: 2026-09-29
CIK: 0000048465
SIC: 2011 (MEAT PACKING PLANTS)
Item: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Item: Regulation FD Disclosure
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — tm2626547d1_8k.htm (Primary)
EX-2.1 — EXHIBIT 2.1 (tm2626547d1_ex2-1.htm)
EX-99.1 — EXHIBIT 99.1 (tm2626547d1_ex99-1.htm)
EX-99.2 — EXHIBIT 99.2 (tm2626547d1_ex99-2.htm)
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 29, 2026
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-2402
41-0319970
(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation)
(Commission File
Number)
(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
1 Hormel Place, Austin, Minnesota
55912-3680
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(507) 437-5611
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol
Name
of each exchange on which
registered
Common
Stock $0.01465 par value
HRL
New
York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging
growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards
provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On September 29, 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation
(the “Company”) entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Brakebush
Holdings, Inc. (“Seller”) and Brakebush Brothers, LLC (“Brakebush”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed
to acquire from Seller all of the outstanding membership interests of Brakebush.
The purchase price consists of a base purchase
price of $1.055 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments.
The
closing of the acquisition is expected to be completed during the first quarter of the Company’s 2027 fiscal year and is
subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other applicable antitrust laws, the absence of any law or order prohibiting the transaction, and
the satisfaction of customary conditions relating to the parties’ representations, warranties, and covenants. The Purchase Agreement
contains customary termination rights for the Company and Seller, including if the transaction has not been completed by March 29, 2027,
subject to an automatic three-month extension in specified circumstances relating to outstanding regulatory approvals.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which
is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On September 30, 2026, the Company issued a press
release announcing the entry into the Purchase Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
On September 30, 2026, the Company will hold an
investor conference call to discuss the transaction contemplated by the Purchase Agreement. A copy of the investor presentation is furnished
as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information contained in this Item 7.01, including
Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information
be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly
set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Description
2.1*
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated September 29, 2026, among Hormel Foods Corporation, Brakebush Holdings, Inc., and Brakebush Brothers, LLC.
99.1
Press Release, dated September 30, 2026.
99.2
Investor Presentation, dated September 30, 2026.
104
The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as Inline XBRL.
*
Certain exhibits and schedules to the Purchase Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
Dated: September 30, 2026
By:
/s/ Ash Bhumbla
Name: Ash Bhumbla
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
EX-2.1 — EXHIBIT 2.1
EX-2.1
Filename: tm2626547d1_ex2-1.htm · Sequence: 2
Exhibit 2.1
Execution Version
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION,
as Buyer
BRAKEBUSH HOLDINGS, INC.
as Seller,
and
BRAKEBUSH BROTHERS, LLC
as the Company
Dated: September 29, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I Definitions and Rules of Construction
2
1.1.
Definitions
2
1.2.
Rules of Construction
17
Article II Purchase and Sale of the Interests; Closing
18
2.1.
Agreement to Purchase and Sell the Interests; Purchase Price
18
2.2.
Estimated Closing Statement
19
2.3.
Closing Payments
20
2.4.
Determination of Final Purchase Price
20
2.5.
Adjustment to Estimated Purchase Price
22
2.6.
Withholding
23
Article III Representations and Warranties of the Company
23
3.1.
Organization and Power
23
3.2.
Authorization and Enforceability
24
3.3.
Capitalization of the Company
24
3.4.
No Violation
25
3.5.
Governmental Authorizations and Consents
25
3.6.
Financial Statements
26
3.7.
No Undisclosed Material Liabilities
26
3.8.
Absence of Certain Changes
27
3.9.
Real Property
28
3.10.
Intellectual Property
30
3.11.
Privacy and Data Security
32
3.12.
Contracts
33
3.13.
Compliance with Laws
35
3.14.
Environmental Matters
36
3.15.
Legal Proceedings
37
3.16.
Employment Matters
38
3.17.
Employee Benefits
39
3.18.
Taxes
42
3.19.
Insurance
44
3.20.
Assets
45
3.21.
No Brokers
45
3.22.
Agreements with Company Related Person
45
3.23.
FCPA; Anti-Bribery
46
3.24.
Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance
46
3.25.
Significant Customers and Suppliers
47
3.26.
Accounts Receivable
48
3.27.
Trade Sanctions Compliance
48
3.28.
No Other Representations or Warranties
49
Article IV Seller’s Representations and Warranties
50
4.1.
Organization and Power; Authority
50
4.2.
Title
50
i
4.3.
No Violation
50
4.4.
Governmental Authorizations and Consents
50
4.5.
Legal Proceedings
51
4.6.
Brokers
51
4.7.
No Other Representations or Warranties
51
Article V Representations and Warranties of Buyer
52
5.1.
Organization and Power
52
5.2.
Authorization and Enforceability
52
5.3.
No Violation
52
5.4.
Governmental Authorizations and Consents
53
5.5.
Legal Proceedings
53
5.6.
Sufficiency of Funds
53
5.7.
Investment Purpose
53
5.8.
Solvency
53
5.9.
No Brokers
53
5.10.
No Inducement or Reliance; Independent Assessment
54
Article VI Covenants
55
6.1.
Conduct of the Business
55
6.2.
Access Prior to the Closing
57
6.3.
Efforts to Consummate; Regulatory Filings
58
6.4.
Employee Matters
60
6.5.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
63
6.6.
Preservation of and Access to Books and Records
63
6.7.
Public Announcements
64
6.8.
Tax Matters
64
6.9.
Title Commitments; Surveys
66
6.10.
Change of Name
67
6.11.
No Shop
67
6.12.
Shareholder Support Agreement; Shareholder Approval
68
6.13.
Transfer of Excluded Assets
68
Article VII Conditions to Closing
68
7.1.
Conditions to All Parties’ Obligations
68
7.2.
Conditions to Seller’s Obligation
69
7.3.
Conditions to Buyer’s Obligation
69
7.4.
Frustration of Closing Conditions
71
Article VIII Survival; R&W Insurance Policy; Termination
71
8.1.
No Survival; Exclusive Remedy
71
8.2.
R&W Insurance Policy
71
8.3.
No Reliance
72
8.4.
Termination Prior to Closing
72
8.5.
Effect of Termination
73
ii
Article IX Miscellaneous
73
9.1.
Expenses
73
9.2.
Notices
74
9.3.
Governing Law
74
9.4.
Entire Agreement
75
9.5.
Severability
75
9.6.
Amendment
75
9.7.
Effect of Waiver or Consent
75
9.8.
Parties in Interest; Limitation on Rights of Others; No Recourse Against Nonparty Affiliates
75
9.9.
Assignability
76
9.10.
Disclosure Schedules
76
9.11.
Jurisdiction; Court Proceedings
77
9.12.
No Other Duties
77
9.13.
Reliance on Counsel and Other Advisors
78
9.14.
Remedies
78
9.15.
Specific Performance
78
9.16.
Mutual Release
78
9.17.
Counterparts
79
9.18.
Further Assurance
79
9.19.
Legal Representation
79
Exhibits
Exhibit A Escrow
Agreement
Exhibit B Allocation
Schedule
Exhibit C Shareholder
Support Agreement
Schedules
Schedule 1.1(a)
Schedule 1.1(b)
Schedule 1.1(c)
Schedule 1.1(d)
Schedule 1.1(e)
Schedule 1.1(f)
Schedule 1.1(g)
Schedule 1.1(h)
Schedule 1.1(i)
Schedule 1.1(j)
Schedule 2.2
Schedule 2.3(c)
Schedule 6.1(a)
Schedule 6.4(i)
iii
MEMBERSHIP
INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS MEMBERSHIP
INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated effective as of September 29, 2026, is made by and among Hormel Foods Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (“Buyer”), Brakebush Holdings, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Seller”),
and Brakebush Brothers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company” and, the Company, Buyer, and
Seller are each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, prior to the date
hereof, the shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of Brakebush Brothers, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (“Brakebush
Brothers, Inc.”), completed the following restructuring steps (collectively, the “Restructuring”):
(a) Brakebush Brothers, Inc. formed Seller as a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary corporation; (b) Seller formed Brakebush
MergeCo, Inc. (“MergeCo”) as a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary corporation; (c) MergeCo merged
with and into Brakebush Brothers, Inc., with Brakebush Brothers, Inc. surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller, pursuant
to which the Shareholders exchanged their shares of Brakebush Brothers, Inc. for shares of Seller in the same proportions as such
Shareholders previously held their Brakebush Brothers, Inc. shares; (d) Seller filed IRS Form 8869 to simultaneously (i) elect
to be taxed as an S-corporation under Section 1362 of the Code, and (ii) elect for Brakebush Brothers, Inc. to be treated
as a “qualified subchapter S subsidiary” (“QSub”) of Seller under Section 1361(b)(3) of
the Code, with the intent that Steps (a) through (d), taken together and consistent with IRS Revenue Ruling 2008-18, constitute
a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code (the “F-Reorganization”); (e) on
the day following the filing of the IRS Form 8869, Brakebush Brothers, Inc. converted from a Wisconsin corporation to a Delaware
limited liability company and changed its name to “Brakebush Brothers, LLC” (the “Conversion”),
with the intent that such Conversion would terminate the prior classification of the Company as a QSub for U.S. federal income Tax purposes
and as a corporation for Wisconsin statutory purposes and would cause the Company to be classified as an entity disregarded from Seller
for U.S. federal income Tax purposes; and (f) Seller caused each Company Subsidiary that is a “qualified subchapter S subsidiary”
for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income Tax purposes to be converted into a Delaware limited liability company;
WHEREAS, as a result of the
Restructuring, Seller directly owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company (the “Interests”),
and the Shareholders collectively own all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Seller;
WHEREAS, contemporaneously
with the Parties’ execution and delivery of this Agreement, each RC Person is entering into a restrictive covenant agreement, effective
upon Closing (each such agreement is a “RC Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Buyer desires
to acquire from Seller, and Seller desires to sell to Buyer, all of the Interests, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;
and
WHEREAS, prior to the Closing,
the Company shall distribute or transfer the Excluded Assets (as defined herein) to Seller or its designee, such that the Excluded Assets
shall not be owned by the Company at the time of the Closing and shall not be part of the Contemplated Transactions.
1
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration
of the foregoing recitals, the mutual covenants of the Parties as hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Article I
Definitions and Rules of Construction
1.1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Accounting Principles”
means the accounting principles, practices, procedures, policies and methods (with consistent classifications, judgments, elections,
inclusions, exclusions and valuation and estimation methodologies) described in Schedule 1.1(a).
“Adjustment Escrow
Account” means the account in which the Escrow Agent holds the Adjustment Escrow Amount (and earnings thereon) pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
“Adjustment Escrow
Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Affiliate”
means (a) as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such Person or (b) as to any Person that is a natural Person, any such Person’s spouse, parents, children and
siblings, whether by blood, adoption or marriage, residing in such Person’s home or any trust or similar entity for the benefit
of any of the foregoing Persons. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly
or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to be an Affiliate
of Buyer from and after the Closing.
“Agreement”
means this Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Allocation Schedule”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8(e).
“Anti-Corruption
Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23.
“Antitrust Division”
means the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice.
“Antitrust Filings”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(b).
“Antitrust Laws”
means the Sherman Antitrust Act, as amended, the Clayton Antitrust Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and
the regulations thereunder, each as amended, and all other applicable federal, state, provincial, or foreign statutes, rules, regulations,
orders, decrees, administrative and judicial doctrines, and all other applicable Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict
or regulate (i) foreign investment or (ii) actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or
lessening of competition through merger and acquisition.
2
“Audited Financial
Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Balance Sheet
Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Base Purchase
Price” means One Billion Fifty-Five Million Dollars ($1,055,000,000.00).
“Books and Records”
means all books, records, files, documents, correspondence, financial records, bills, accounting, internal and audit records, operating
manuals, instructions, programming information, machinery and equipment maintenance files, marketing, sales and promotional literature,
computerized data, quality records and reports, cost information, pricing data, market surveys, mailing lists, customer, supplier and
vendor lists and files, personnel files, prospect lists, quality control records and procedures, production reports and records, customer
complaints and inquiry files, research and development files, strategic plans, preprinted materials and other similar items, in each
case, related to the business and operations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for periods prior to and on the Closing.
“Business Day”
means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are closed in Madison, Wisconsin or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Business IT Systems”
means the computer hardware, Software, computer networks, and telecommunications and Internet-related equipment, and all other information
technology assets owned, used, or relied on by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in the operation of their business as currently
conducted.
“Buyer”
has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Buyer Benefit
Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(c).
“Capital Plan”
means the capital expenditure budget for the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for fiscal year 2026, as approved by the Company’s
Board of Directors and amended from time to time, a copy of which has been made available to Buyer.
“Cash”
means the aggregate amount of cash (including cash held in or to the account of the Company’s and Company Subsidiaries’ bank
accounts in any jurisdiction), cash equivalents, including, to the extent received by or in the possession of the Company or a Company
Subsidiary, undeposited funds, money orders, demand, security or similar deposits, cash collateral, marketable securities, short term
investments, liquid investments, and any other immediately convertible cash-like financial instruments of the Company and any of the
Company Subsidiaries, in each case, determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles (and, to the extent that there is any inconsistency
between the Accounting Principles and this definition, the Accounting Principles control such inconsistency) and calculated (i) to
exclude all uncleared checks, ACH transactions, outgoing payments, funds in transit as an outgoing payment, and drafts issued by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary as of the time of calculation and are not duplicative of any accounts payable or other amounts included
in the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital, and (ii) to include all incoming checks, drafts, and funds in transit to
the Company or any Company Subsidiary as of the time of calculation, to the extent such checks, drafts, or funds in transit are not duplicative
of any accounts receivable or other amounts included in the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital.
3
“Change of Control
Payments” means all liabilities and obligations with respect to change of control, bonus, termination, severance, retention,
unfunded deferred compensation, sale, exit, transaction, equity or equity-based compensation or other similar payments or extraordinary
compensation or similar obligations that are payable or owed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to any Person in connection with
or as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the consummation thereof), either directly or in connection with the
occurrence of any other event, including all amounts payable under (i) the Non-executive Transaction Bonuses; (ii) the Sale
Bonuses; and (iii) the SARs Award Agreements. For avoidance of doubt, Change of Control Payments shall not include any Stay Bonus
portion of the Retention Bonus Agreements.
“Chosen Courts”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.
“Closing”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Closing Cash”
means the aggregate amount of Cash as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date.
“Closing Cash Adjustment”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(iv).
“Closing Date”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Closing Indebtedness”
means the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and each Company Subsidiary, including the aggregate amount of the Discharged Indebtedness,
on a consolidated basis, as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date, provided that, for
the purpose of determining the amount of any such Indebtedness triggered by or increased in amount as a result of the Closing, the Closing
shall be deemed to have occurred.
“Closing Indebtedness
Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii).
“Closing Net Working
Capital” means (a) the aggregate sum of the total current assets of the Company and each Company Subsidiary as of
11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date minus (b) the aggregate sum of the total current
liabilities of the Company and each Company Subsidiary as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing
Date, in each case determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles; provided, that for purposes of calculating the Closing
Net Working Capital, current assets shall exclude Closing Cash and current liabilities shall exclude Taxes, Transaction Expenses and
Indebtedness.
“Closing Net Working
Capital Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i).
4
“Closing Payment
Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(e).
“Closing Payroll
Taxes” means the sum of the aggregate amount of the employer-paid portion of any employment and payroll Taxes that will
arise from any Change of Control Payments.
“Closing Statement”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Closing Statement
Review Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, as well as any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
as from time to time in effect.
“Commercial Software”
means commercially available Software licensed pursuant to a standard license agreement for annual fees of less than $150,000.
“Company”
has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Company Employees”
means the employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
“Company Employment
Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(a).
“Company IP”
means Intellectual Property used in the conduct of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted.
“Company IP Agreements”
means all Contracts to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party relating to the license, sublicense, creation, development,
disclosure, covenant not to sue, assignment, or transfer of Intellectual Property, other than (a) licenses of Commercial Software
and (b) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property incidental to the sale or purchase of products or services in the Ordinary
Course of Business, and excluding, in all cases, (i) non-disclosure, evaluation, or confidentiality agreements entered into in the
Ordinary Course of Business, (ii) standard-form customer or supplier agreements that include non-exclusive, incidental Intellectual
Property licenses, and (iii) any other Contracts that are not primarily related to Intellectual Property and are immaterial to the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
“Company Material
Adverse Effect” means any event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence, or state of
facts that individually, or together with any other event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence,
or state of facts, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, results of
operations, properties, assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided,
that none of the following events, changes, developments, effects, conditions, circumstances, matters, occurrences or states of facts,
whether alone or in combination, shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or may be a Company Material Adverse
Effect: (i) any event, change or development in global, national, or regional economic, monetary or financial conditions, including
changes or developments in prevailing interest rates, credit markets, capital markets, securities markets, general economic or business
conditions or currency exchange rates, or political or regulatory conditions, (ii) any act of God or other natural or man-made catastrophe,
war, armed hostilities or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening thereof, (iii) any pandemics or other public health emergencies,
(iv) any event, change, or development in the industry or industries in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate,
(v) any change in Law or GAAP or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, (vi) the announcement, pendency or completion of
this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions (including the identity of Buyer or any communication by Buyer regarding its plans with
respect to the Company) or (vii) any failure of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to meet, with respect to any period or
periods, any internal or industry analyst projections, forecasts, estimates of earnings or revenues, or business plans (it being understood
that the facts and circumstances giving rise or contributing to any such failure may, unless otherwise excluded by another clause in
this definition of “Company Material Adverse Effect,” be taken into account in determining whether a “Company Material
Adverse Effect” has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur); provided, however, that any event, change, development,
effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence, or state of facts set forth in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or
(v) may be taken into account determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect to the extent that such event,
change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence, or state of facts has had, or would reasonably be expected
to have, a disproportionate adverse effect on the business, operations, results of operations, properties, assets, liabilities, or financial
condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to other similarly situated companies operating in the
same industries as the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (in which case, only the incremental disproportionate adverse effect may
be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred.
5
“Company Parties”
means the Company, Seller, and any of their respective Affiliates, directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, or representatives.
“Company Owned
IP” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
“Company Related
Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.22.
“Company Subsidiaries”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c).
“Confidentiality
Agreement” means the Confidentiality Agreement, dated March 30, 2026, between William Blair & Company, L.L.C.,
for and on behalf of the Company, and Buyer.
“Contemplated Transactions”
means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
“Contract”
means any contract, purchase order, warranty, guaranty, use agreement, indenture, note, bond, lease (whether for real estate, capital
lease, an operating lease or other), license, commitment, instrument or other agreement, arrangement, understanding, obligation or commitment
to which a Person is bound, and in each case whether oral or written.
“Contracting Parties”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.8.
6
“Conversion”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Current Taxes”
means the Taxes of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, if any, properly accrued and allocable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period that
remain outstanding as of the Closing. Current Taxes (a) may not be less than zero in the aggregate or on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction
basis (b) shall be determined in accordance with the past practices and accounting methods of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries,
to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (c) shall not include any items of income, expense, gain or loss solely attributable
to any action taken by any Company or the Company Subsidiaries on the Closing Date after the Closing that is outside the Ordinary Course
of Business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, (d) shall exclude assets and receivables (and there shall be no netting
or offsetting of refunds or credits against such Taxes), (e) shall include items on Schedule 1.1(b), (f) in the case
of any Straddle Period shall be determined consistent with the principles set forth in Section 6.8(f), and (g) shall
include the Transaction Tax Deductions in the Pre-Closing Tax Period to the extent deductible pursuant to applicable Law.
“D&O Indemnified
Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).
“Data Protection
Requirements” means, regarding the protection, collection, access, use, storage, disposal, disclosure or transfer of Personal
Information and any related notifications, all applicable (a) Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws, (b) industry standards including
the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, (c) publicly facing policies, notices or statements related to data privacy and
security, (d) internal written policies and procedures, and (e) Material Contract obligations and other written commitments,
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
“Deal Communications”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19(b).
“Discharged Indebtedness”
means the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 2.3(c) to be paid at Closing by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.3(c).
Discharged Indebtedness will also include any Indebtedness that is not set forth on Schedule 2.3(c) if such Indebtedness
is indebtedness for borrowed money or is secured by a Lien on the assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or by a Lien on the
Interests.
“Disputed Item”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).
“Employee Pension
Benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(a).
“Employee Welfare
Benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(a).
“Entity”
means a legally distinct person other than a natural person, including a general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, cooperative, association, foreign trust or
foreign business organization.
“Environmental
Laws” means all applicable Laws relating to pollution (or the cleanup thereof) or the protection of natural resources,
endangered or threatened species, human health or safety, or the environment (including ambient or indoor air, soil, surface water or
groundwater, or subsurface strata).
7
“Environmental
Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(b).
“Equity Securities”
of any Person means (i) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares of capital stock, (ii) with respect to a limited
liability company, any membership or other limited liability company interest, including the Interests, (iii) any other direct equity
ownership in any Person, (iv) options of such Person, and (v) all securities exchangeable for, or convertible or exercisable
into, any of the foregoing.
“ERC”
means the employee retention credit promulgated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, as amended by the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, as signed into law on December 27, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, as signed into law
on March 11, 2021, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as signed into law on November 15, 2021, Section 3134
of the Code, including any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and any judicial authority and administrative interpretations,
including IRS Notices and Revenue Rulings, and announcements, issued, with respect to the employee retention credit, under applicable
Laws and Section 3134 of the Code, including any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as any rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and any corresponding provisions of subsequent superseding federal Laws relating to retirement matters,
as from time to time in effect.
“ERISA Affiliate”
means any Person at any relevant time considered a single employer with either Company or any of its Affiliates under Section 414
of the Code.
“Escrow Agent”
means U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, acting as escrow agent under
the Escrow Agreement.
“Escrow Agreement”
means the Escrow Agreement by and among Seller, Buyer, and the Escrow Agent in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Estimated Closing
Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Closing
Cash Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Closing
Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Closing
Indebtedness Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Closing
Net Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Closing
Net Working Capital Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
8
“Estimated Purchase
Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Unpaid
Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Estimated Unpaid
Transaction Expenses Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Excess Amount”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
“Excluded Assets”
means any asset set forth on Schedule 1.1(c).
“Final Purchase
Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Financial Statements”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Food Law”
means all applicable Laws concerning the manufacturing, processing, packaging, labeling, storing, transportation, marketing, sale, advertising,
and distribution of food products intended for human consumption including: (a) the Poultry Products Inspection Act, as amended;
(b) all applicable Laws administered and enforced by USDA and FTC; (c) all requirements under any state applicable Laws related
to consumer protection or the prohibition against the adulteration or misbranding of food, including Prop. 65; (d) all applicable
Laws governing the testing, prohibition, or use of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other alleged toxins in food packaging; and
(e) all applicable Laws governing extended producer responsibility in packaging and food service ware.
“Food Law Action”
means any enforcement action initiated by any Governmental Authority alleging noncompliance with any Food Law, including any USDA Notice
of Intended Enforcement or USDA Noncompliance Record.
“Food Safety Permits”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.24(a)(ii).
“Foreign Terrorist
Organization” means any foreign group or entity that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as either engaging
in terrorist activity or retaining the capability and intent to engage in terrorist activity pursuant to Section 219 of the U.S.
Immigration and Nationality Act.
“Fraud”
means, with respect to any Person, the making of any representation or warranty in this Agreement with intent to deceive another Person
and requires (i) a false representation of material fact; (ii) knowledge that such representation is false; (iii) an intention
to induce the party to whom such representation is made to rely upon it; and (iv) causing such party to suffer damage by reason
of such reliance. For the avoidance of doubt, “Fraud” shall not include any claim based upon constructive fraud,
equitable fraud, promissory fraud, unfair dealings fraud, negligent fraud, reckless fraud, intentional fault or any similar concept.
“F-Reorganization”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“FTC”
means the United States Federal Trade Commission.
9
“Fundamental Representations”
means the representations and warranties of the Company and Seller made in Section 3.1(a) (Organization and Power),
Section 3.2 (Authorization and Enforceability), Section 3.3 (Capitalization of the Company), Section 3.20
(Assets), Section 3.21 (No Brokers), Section 4.1 (Organization and Power; Authority), Section 4.2
(Title), and Section 4.6 (Brokers).
“GAAP”
means United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the relevant date(s) of application.
“Governmental Authority”
means any international, federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, or foreign government, governmental or quasi-governmental authority,
political subdivision, regulatory or administrative agency, or government department, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, including
partially or wholly state-owned or controlled commercial enterprises, independent agencies and commissions, courts, and tribunals, including
arbitral bodies (whether private or governmental), in each case of competent jurisdiction.
“Governmental Consents”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.
“Government Official”
means (i) any director, officer, employee, agent or representative (including anyone elected, nominated, or appointed to be an officer,
employee, or representative) of any Governmental Authority, or anyone otherwise acting in an official capacity on behalf of a Governmental
Authority; (ii) any political party employee or official; (iii) any candidate for public or political office; (iv) any
royal or ruling family member; or (v) any agent or representative of any of those persons listed in subcategories (i) through
(iv).
“Hazardous Substances”
means (a) any material, substance, chemical, waste, product, derivative, compound, mixture, solid, liquid, mineral or gas, in each
case, whether naturally occurring or manmade, that is listed or regulated under Environmental Laws; or (b) any petroleum or petroleum-derived
products, radon, radioactive materials or wastes, asbestos in any form, lead or lead-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation,
polychlorinated biphenyls, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
“HSR Act”
means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Income Taxes”
means any Tax imposed on or determined with reference to gross or net income or profits.
“Indebtedness”
means, without duplication, all indebtedness, principal, interest, premiums, liabilities, penalties, fees, expenses, or other payment
obligations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (a) for borrowed money, (b) evidenced by any bonds, debentures, mortgages,
notes or other similar debt instruments, (c) for any earnout obligations, (d) any obligations under capitalized leases determined
in accordance with GAAP (prior to the effective date of Accounting Standards Codification 842), (e) under any interest rate or currency
protection agreement, swap, or similar hedging agreement of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (f) in respect of letters of
credit or similar instruments to the extent drawn, (g) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of any property, including
all conditional sale obligations of such Person, (h) for deferred compensation (other than obligations that would be satisfied by
a rabbi trust), (i) any Employee Welfare Benefit Plan obligations, including those that have been incurred but not reported, to
the extent such obligations exceed the fair market value of the assets held in a VEBA to fund such Employee Welfare Benefit Plan obligations,
(j) with respect to any guaranty by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in favor of any Person that is not the Company or another
Company Subsidiary, (k) Current Taxes or (l) arising out of any item set forth on Schedule 1.1(d); provided,
that Indebtedness shall not include (1) accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenues and other amounts included as a current
liability in the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital, (2) Indebtedness owing solely among the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, and (3) obligations under letters of credit or similar instruments to the extent undrawn. To avoid double-counting,
any amounts included in the calculation of Indebtedness shall be excluded from the calculation of Closing Net Working Capital and Transaction
Expenses, and vice versa.
10
“Independent Accountant”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d).
“Independent Review
Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d).
“Information Statement”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(b).
“Insurance Policies”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.19.
“Intellectual Property”
means all United States and non-United States (a) patents, patent applications (including provisional applications), together with
all continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, reexaminations, extensions, and renewals thereof, and all inventions
and invention disclosures, whether or not patentable; (b) copyrights and works of authorship, including copyrights in Software,
whether or not published; (c) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, slogans, and domain names, together with
all goodwill associated with or symbolized by any of the foregoing; (d) social media accounts and other online identifiers; (e) trade
secrets, know-how, data and databases, and other confidential or proprietary business information; (f) rights of publicity and privacy;
and (g) any other intellectual property or proprietary rights; in each case, together with all registrations and applications for
registration of any of the foregoing.
“Intended Tax Treatment”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8(e).
“Interests”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“IP Contributor”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(d).
“IRS”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(b).
“Joint Direction”
means joint written instructions of Buyer and Seller instructing the Escrow Agent to make a payment out of the Adjustment Escrow Account.
“Knowledge of the
Company” means the actual knowledge of any of the following personnel of the Company after reasonable investigation: Gregory
Huff (President and Chief Executive Officer), Joshua Meinen (Chief Financial Officer), Matthew McNulty (Senior Vice President –
Sales), Jonathan Brakebush (Senior Vice President – Operations), Carey Brakebush (Vice President – Facilities).
11
“Labor Organization”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(b).
“Laws”
means all laws, Orders, statutes, codes, regulations, ordinances, decrees, rules, principles of common law, or other requirements with
similar effect enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented, or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental
Authority.
“Leased Real Property”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
“Legal Proceeding”
means any claim, action, complaint, audit, demand (including pre-litigation demand), lawsuit, arbitration, hearing, proceeding, litigation,
investigation, administrative charge or summons of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, regulatory or otherwise,
whether at law or in equity, in each case, that is commenced, brought, conducted by or before any Governmental Authority.
“Lien”
means any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge, pledge, hypothecation, or other similar encumbrance.
“Material Contracts”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12(a).
“Michael Best”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19(a).
“Non-executive
Transaction Bonuses” means the aggregate transaction bonus amount of $7,000,000 for non-executive salaried and hourly Company
Employees.
“Nonparty Affiliates”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.8.
“Notice of Disagreement”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).
“NWC Target Amount”
means $166,600,000.
“OFAC”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.27.
“Open Source Software”
means any software code that is distributed under a license that has been approved by the Open Source Initiative (as listed at www.opensource.org)
or that otherwise requires, as a condition of use, modification, or distribution, that such software or other software combined or distributed
with such software be (a) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (b) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works,
or (c) redistributable at no charge.
“Orders”
means all judgments, orders, writs, injunctions, decisions, rulings, decrees, assessments and awards of any Governmental Authority.
“Ordinary Course
of Business” means, with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary, its ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice.
12
“Organizational
Documents” means (i) in the case of a corporation, the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of such
corporation, (ii) in the case of a limited liability company, the articles or certificate of formation and operating agreement or
limited liability company agreement of such limited liability company, (iii) in the case of a limited partnership, the articles
or certificate of limited partnership and the partnership agreement of such limited partnership, and (iv) in the case of any other
form of Entity, the documents governing the formation and governance of such Entity, including, in each case, and any amendments to,
the foregoing documents.
“Owned Real Property”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
“Pay-Off Letters”
has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(h).
“Permits”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(b).
“Permitted Lien”
means any (a) Lien in respect of Taxes not yet due and payable or which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and, in each case, for which adequate reserves have been established on the Unaudited Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, (b) mechanics’,
carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s legal hypothec or other like Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business for amounts not yet due and payable and not resulting from a breach, default or violation by the Company or any Company Subsidiary
of any Contract, and for which adequate reserves have been established on the Unaudited Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP,
(c) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other similar matters of record affecting title to the Owned Real Property
(or the fee estate of the Leased Real Property to the extent incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through
or under a landlord or owner of the Leased Real Property), none of which, individually or in the aggregate, materially interferes with
the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s use or occupancy of the Owned Real Property and Leased Real Property in the conduct
of its business as currently conducted, and none of which are violated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in its use or occupancy
of such Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property, (d) zoning, building codes, and other land use laws regulating the use or occupancy
of real property or the activities conducted thereon that are imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such real
property, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, materially interferes with the current use or occupancy of the applicable
real property, (e) any non-exclusive licenses or grants to use any Company IP, (f) those liens specifically set forth on Schedule
1.1(j), and (g) other minor imperfections of title or similar Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially
detract from the value of, or materially impair the use of the Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property in the conduct of the
business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted.
“Permitted Removal”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19(d).
“Person”
means any individual, person, Entity, or Governmental Authority.
“Personal Information”
means any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly
or indirectly, to an individual.
13
“Privacy and Cybersecurity
Laws” means all applicable Laws concerning the protection, collection, access, use, storage, disposal, disclosure or transfer
of Personal Information, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transaction Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer
Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, California Consumer Privacy Act and other state privacy
Laws, state social security number protection Laws, state data breach notification Laws, state data security and consumer protection
Laws.
“Plan”
or “Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.17(a).
“Pre-Closing Tax
Period” means any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date and the pre-Closing portion of each Straddle Period.
“Preliminary Closing
Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Privileged Deal
Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19(b).
“Products”
means all food products intended for human consumption that are manufactured, processed, packaged, held, distributed, imported, or exported
by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
“Prop. 65”
means the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
“Proposed Allocation
Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8(e).
“Proscribed Recipient”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23.
“Purchase Price”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“R&W Insurance
Binder” means the Binder Agreement for the R&W Insurance Policy, dated on or about the date hereof, by and between
Buyer and ASQ Underwriting, a true and complete copy of which has been provided to Seller.
“R&W Insurance
Policy” means that certain buyer-side representations and warranties insurance policy, in substantially the form attached
to the R&W Insurance Binder.
“RC Agreement”
is defined in the Recitals.
“RC Person”
means each individual set forth on Schedule 1.1(e).
“Real Property
Leases” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
“Release”
means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing
of a Hazardous Substance into the environment.
14
“Representatives”
means a Party’s directors, managers, officers, employees, consultants, investment bankers, legal counsel, accountants, agents,
and other advisors and representatives.
“Requisite Shareholder
Approval” means the affirmative vote of the Shareholders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the issued and outstanding
voting shares of Seller to approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions in accordance with the Organizational Documents of
Seller and the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law.
“Residual Communication”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19(d).
“Resolution Period”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).
“Retention Bonus
Agreements” means the retention bonus agreements between the Company or a Company Subsidiary and certain Company Employees,
as set forth on Schedule 1.1(f).
“Restricted Party”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.27.
“Restricted Jurisdiction”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.27.
“Restructuring”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Sale Bonus”
means the portion of any Retention Bonus Agreement scheduled to be paid on or within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date.
“Sanctions Laws”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.27.
“SARs Award Agreements”
means the SAR Unit Award Agreements between the Company or a Company Subsidiary and certain Company Employees issued pursuant to the
Stock Appreciation Rights Plan of Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
“Scheduled Employees”
means the Company Employees identified on Schedule 1.1(g).
“Securities Act”
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Seller”
has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Shareholders”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Shareholder Support
Agreement” means that certain Shareholder Support Agreement (including the proxy granted therein), dated as of the date
hereof, by and among Buyer, Seller, and Shareholders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the issued and outstanding voting shares of
Seller, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Shortfall Amount”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(c).
“Significant Customers”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.25(a).
15
“Significant Suppliers”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.25(a).
“Software”
means computer software and databases, together with, as applicable, object code, source code, firmware and embedded versions thereof
and documentation related thereto that is owned by or licensed to the Company or any Company Subsidiary and used in the operation of
its business as currently conducted.
“Stay Bonus”
means, with respect to any Retention Bonus Agreement, the portion of the retention bonus that is not a Sale Bonus, as identified on Schedule
1.1(h).
“Straddle Period”
means any Tax period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person, any Entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which such Person or any other Subsidiary of
such Person (a) is a general partner (excluding partnerships, the general partnership interests of which held by such Person or
any Subsidiary of such Person do not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership), or (b) holds at least a majority
of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors
or others performing similar functions with respect to such Entity is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by
any one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Surveys”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9(b).
“Tax”
or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local, provincial, and non-U.S. income, profits, franchise, gross receipts,
environmental, customs duty, capital stock, severance, stamp, transfer, payroll, sales, employment, unemployment, disability, use, property,
withholding, excise, value added, occupancy, and other taxes, duties or assessments imposed by any Governmental Authority, together with
all interest and penalties attributable thereto.
“Tax Return”
means any report, return, declaration, claim for refund or statement (including schedules and information returns) filed or required
to be filed with any Governmental Authority in connection with any Taxes, including any amendment thereto.
“Termination Date”
has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(d).
“Third Party”
means any Person other than a Party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a Party to this Agreement.
“Title Commitments”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9(a).
“Transaction Documents”
means the documents, agreements, statements and certificates being executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement and Contemplated
Transactions.
“Transaction Expenses”
means (a) all fees and expenses incurred by the Company or any Company Subsidiary on or prior to the Closing in connection with
or as a result of the Contemplated Transactions (including those payable to investment bankers, brokers, finders, legal counsel, accountants
and other advisors and Third Parties), (b) any Change of Control Payments, (c) any Closing Payroll Taxes, (d) all premiums,
costs, fees and expenses of the Company with respect to the tail insurance required by Section 6.5(b), (e) Seller’s
portion of any Transfer Taxes, and (f) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the actions set forth on Schedule 6.4(i).
Transaction Expenses shall not include (i) any liabilities included in Closing Net Working Capital, (ii) any Closing Indebtedness,
or (iii) any Stay Bonus under the Retention Bonus Agreements (including any employer-paid employment or payroll Taxes and gross-up
amounts attributable thereto).
16
“Transaction Tax
Deductions” means any item of loss or deduction resulting from or attributable to (i) the Change of Control Payments;
(ii) the fees, expenses and interest incurred by the Company with respect to the payment of any Discharged Indebtedness; and (iii) the
Transaction Expenses (to the extent not duplicated by items in clauses (i) or (ii)). The Transaction Tax Deductions are described
on Schedule 1.1(i) which shall be updated as of the Closing Date. For purposes of determining the Transaction Tax Deductions,
the Parties hereto agree that the deductible amount of expenses addressed by IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-29 will be determined based upon
the safe harbor election described therein.
“Transfer Taxes”
means any direct or indirect transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, recording, stock transfer, real property, business
and occupation, value added or other similar Tax.
“Treasury Regulations”
means the final or temporary regulations issued by the United States Department of Treasury pursuant to its authority under the Code,
and any successor regulations.
“Unaudited Financial
Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Unpaid Transaction
Expenses” means those Transaction Expenses that have not been paid as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately
prior to the Closing Date, provided that, for the purpose of determining the amount of any such Transaction Expense that are triggered
by or increased in amount as a result of the Closing, the Closing shall be deemed to have occurred.
“Unpaid Transaction
Expenses Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(iii).
“USDA”
means the United States Department of Agriculture.
“WARN Act”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(e).
1.2. Rules of
Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) A
capitalized term has the meaning assigned to it herein;
(b) An
accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
17
(c) References
in the singular or to “him,” “her,” “it,” “itself,” or other like references, and references
in the plural or the feminine or masculine reference, as the case may be, shall also, when the context so requires, be deemed to include
the plural or singular, or the masculine or feminine reference, as the case may be;
(d) References
to Articles, Sections, Schedules and Exhibits shall refer to articles, sections, schedules and exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise
specified;
(e) The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience and identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the
scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof;
(f) This
Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction against the Party that drafted
and caused this Agreement to be drafted;
(g) All
monetary figures shall be in United States dollars unless otherwise specified;
(h) References
to “including” in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” whether or not so specified;
(i) The
word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other theory extends,
and such phrase shall not mean “if”;
(j) The
word “or” is not exclusive and the words “will” and “will not” are expressions of command and not
merely expressions of future intent or expectation; and
(k) Whenever
the phrase “made available,” “delivered” or words of similar import are used in reference to a document, it shall
mean the document was made available for viewing by Buyer or its Representatives in the “CENTURY” electronic data room hosted
by William Blair & Company, as that site existed as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Business Day immediately prior to
the date of this Agreement.
Article II
Purchase and Sale of the Interests; Closing
2.1. Agreement
to Purchase and Sell the Interests; Purchase Price. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at
Closing, Buyer shall purchase from Seller, and Seller shall sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer, all of the Interests,
free and clear of all Liens, in exchange for the Purchase Price, as determined in accordance with this Article II.
(a) Base
Purchase Price. In consideration for the purchase of the Interests, Buyer shall pay and deliver, or cause to be paid and delivered
on Buyer’s behalf, as the case may be, to or for the benefit of Seller, an aggregate amount equal to the Base Purchase Price, which
amount shall be increased or decreased by adjustments, if any, as set forth in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, and to
be paid in the manner as set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 below (the Base Purchase Price as so adjusted, is the “Purchase
Price”).
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(b) Adjustments
to Base Purchase Price.
(i) Net
Working Capital Adjustment. The Base Purchase Price shall (A) be increased by $1.00 for each $1.00 that Closing Net Working
Capital is greater than the NWC Target Amount or (B) decreased by $1.00 for each $1.00 that the NWC Target Amount is greater than
Closing Net Working Capital (the “Closing Net Working Capital Adjustment”).
(ii) Closing
Indebtedness Adjustment. Subject to Section 2.1(b)(v), the Base Purchase Price shall be decreased by $1.00 for each $1.00
of Closing Indebtedness (the “Closing Indebtedness Adjustment”).
(iii) Unpaid
Transaction Expenses Adjustment. Subject to Section 2.1(b)(v), the Base Purchase Price shall be decreased by $1.00 for
each $1.00 of any Unpaid Transaction Expenses (the “Unpaid Transaction Expenses Adjustment”).
(iv) Closing
Cash. The Base Purchase Price shall be increased by $1.00 for each $1.00 of Closing Cash (the “Closing Cash Adjustment”).
(v) The
Closing Indebtedness Adjustment set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii) and the Unpaid Transaction Expenses Adjustment set forth
in Section 2.1(b)(iii) shall reduce the Base Purchase Price only to the extent (i) such adjustments are not paid
by the Company by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date or (ii) such adjustments (or the
component amounts used to calculate such adjustments) are not reflected in the current liabilities for purposes of calculating the Closing
Net Working Capital Adjustment as set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) and Section 2.2. None of the Closing Net
Working Capital Adjustment, the Closing Indebtedness Adjustment, or the Unpaid Transaction Expenses Adjustment shall include any amount
that is already included in the calculation of any of the other such adjustments to the Purchase Price.
(c) Closing.
Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.4, the closing of the Contemplated Transactions (the
“Closing”) shall take place by remote exchange of signatures and documents on the first Business Day that is
a Monday that is at least three (3) Business Days after satisfaction or written waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article VII,
or on such other date and at such other time as Buyer and Seller shall agree; provided, that in no event shall the Closing occur prior
to October 26, 2026. The date of the Closing is referred to as the “Closing Date”, and the Closing shall
be deemed effective as of 12:01 a.m. Central Time on the Closing Date.
2.2. Estimated
Closing Statement. No later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer
a statement (the “Preliminary Closing Statement”) that includes Seller’s good faith calculation and estimates
of: (a) the Closing Net Working Capital (the “Estimated Closing Net Working Capital”), (b) the Closing
Indebtedness (the “Estimated Closing Indebtedness”), (c) the Unpaid Transaction Expenses (the “Estimated
Unpaid Transaction Expenses”), (d) the Closing Cash (the “Estimated Closing Cash”), and
(e) using the amounts referred to in clauses (a) through (d), the resulting (i) estimated Closing Net Working Capital
Adjustment (the “Estimated Closing Net Working Capital Adjustment”), (ii) estimated Closing Indebtedness
Adjustment (the “Estimated Closing Indebtedness Adjustment”), (iii) the estimated Unpaid Transaction Expenses
Adjustment (the “Estimated Unpaid Transaction Expenses Adjustment”), (iv) the estimated Closing Cash Adjustment
(the “Estimated Closing Cash Adjustment”), and (v) using the amounts calculated in subclauses (i) through
(iv), the estimated Purchase Price as of the Closing (the “Estimated Purchase Price”). The Estimated Purchase
Price, and each component of the Estimated Purchase Price, shall be calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles and be accompanied
by reasonable supporting detail. The Preliminary Closing Statement shall also include (i) the identity and wire instructions for
each Person to whom any Unpaid Transaction Expense is owing and the total amount of Unpaid Transaction Expenses owing to each such Person
and (ii) the Seller’s wire transfer instructions for payment of the Closing Payment Amount. The Preliminary Closing Statement
shall also be accompanied by final invoices for all Transaction Expenses that are not payable to Company Employees and a customary pay-off
letter from William Blair & Company. An example Preliminary Closing Statement calculation is attached hereto as Schedule
2.2. The applicable components of the Closing Statement shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles.
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2.3. Closing
Payments. At the Closing, Buyer shall pay, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the Estimated Purchase Price as follows:
(a) to
the Escrow Agent, for deposit in the Adjustment Escrow Account to be held and delivered by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms
and provisions of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, Seventeen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($17,500,000) (the “Adjustment
Escrow Amount”);
(b) to
the Company (i) an amount equal to the Change of Control Payments for payment through the Company’s next regularly scheduled
payroll following the Closing to each Person owed a Change of Control Payment and (ii) the aggregate amount of Closing Payroll Taxes;
(c) to
each holder of Discharged Indebtedness pursuant to the Pay-Off Letters provided by Seller, the Discharged Indebtedness reflected in such
Pay-Off Letters;
(d) to
each payee of Unpaid Transaction Expenses pursuant to the Preliminary Closing Statement, the Unpaid Transaction Expenses owed to such
payee (other than Change of Control Payments and Closing Payroll Taxes related thereto); and
(e) to
Seller into an account of Seller that is designated by Seller in a written notice, an amount (the “Closing Payment Amount”)
equal to the Estimated Purchase Price minus the Adjustment Escrow Amount.
2.4. Determination
of Final Purchase Price.
(a) Within
one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller a statement (the “Closing Statement”)
that includes Buyer’s good faith calculations of the actual amounts of: (i) the Closing Net Working Capital, (ii) the
Closing Indebtedness, (iii) the Unpaid Transaction Expenses, (iv) the Closing Cash, and (v) using the amounts referred
to in clauses (i) through (iv), a calculation of the resulting (A) Closing Net Working Capital Adjustment, (B) Closing
Indebtedness Adjustment, (C) Unpaid Transaction Expenses Adjustment, (D) the Closing Cash Adjustment, and (vi) using the
amounts calculated in sub-subclauses (A) through (D), the final Purchase Price as of the Closing (the “Final Purchase
Price”). The Closing Statement, and each element of the Closing Statement, shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting
Principles and be accompanied by reasonable supporting detail. If Buyer does not deliver the Closing Statement within one hundred twenty
(120) days after the Closing Date, then the Preliminary Closing Statement delivered to Seller pursuant to Section 2.2 shall
be final and binding on the Parties and deemed to set forth the Final Purchase Price (and all applicable components of the Final Purchase
Price).
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(b) During
the sixty (60) days immediately following Seller’s receipt of the Closing Statement (the “Closing Statement Review
Period”), and during the Independent Review Period (as defined below), Seller and Seller’s Representatives shall
have reasonable access, as reasonably requested by Seller on prior written notice and during normal business hours, to the Books and
Records of the Company, the personnel of, and work papers prepared by Buyer and/or its Affiliates and their Representatives to the extent
that they relate to the Closing Statement and to such historical financial information (to the extent in Buyer’s possession) relating
to the Closing Statement as Seller or Seller’s Representatives may reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing the Closing
Statement and to prepare a Notice of Disagreement (as defined below), provided, that such access shall (A) be in a manner
that does not unreasonably interfere with the normal business operations of Buyer, the Company or any Company Subsidiary and (B) shall
not require any Person to give access to or otherwise disclose any information if such access or disclosure would jeopardize any attorney-client
or other privilege or contravene any applicable Law. If Buyer fails to provide such access within five (5) Business Days after Seller’s
written request therefor, the Closing Statement Review Period shall be automatically extended by one (1) day for each day of such
delay until such access is provided.
(c) If
Seller disagrees with any of the items included in the Closing Statement, then Seller may, on or prior to the last day of the Closing
Statement Review Period, deliver a written notice of the specific item in disagreement to Buyer (a “Notice of Disagreement”)
describing in reasonable detail the nature and amount of such disagreement (each specific item in disagreement meeting the requirements
of this Section 2.4(c) and included in a timely Notice of Disagreement, a “Disputed Item”),
and any other items and amounts that are not Disputed Items, and the calculation thereof, set forth in the Closing Statement shall be
final and binding on the Parties. If Seller does not deliver a timely Notice of Disagreement meeting the requirements of this Section 2.4(c),
then the Closing Statement delivered by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.4(a) above shall be final and binding on the Parties
and deemed to set forth the Final Purchase Price (and all applicable components of the Final Purchase Price). If Seller delivers a timely
Notice of Disagreement meeting the requirements of this Section 2.4(c), then, during the thirty (30) day period following
delivery of such Notice of Disagreement (the “Resolution Period”), Buyer and Seller shall seek in good faith
to resolve the Disputed Item(s).
(d) If,
at the end of the Resolution Period, Buyer and Seller have not resolved each Disputed Item, then Buyer or Seller may require that each
unresolved Disputed Item(s) be submitted to KPMG LLP, or if KPMG LLP is unwilling or unable to serve, a nationally-recognized accounting,
advisory firm that has expertise in resolving the matter related to the Disputed Item(s), mutually agreed to by Seller and Buyer (the
“Independent Accountant”) for review and resolution. Buyer and Seller shall direct the Independent Accountant
to, (i) act as an expert and not an arbitrator, (ii) make final determinations based solely on the applicable provisions of
this Agreement (and not by independent review), (iii) base its decision on any presentation(s) submitted in writing by each
of Buyer and Seller and on any written response(s) to each such presentation (including any and all additional information requested
by the Independent Accountant from either Buyer or Seller), and not on independent investigation, and (iv) with respect to each
unresolved Disputed Item, render a determination that must be within the ranges of values claimed by each of Buyer and Seller (which
shall not be greater than or less than the values set forth in the Closing Statement or the Notice of Disagreement, as applicable, absent
manifest error or Fraud upon determination of such range), and (v) render a final determination as to each Disputed Item within
forty-five (45) days following the end of the Resolution Period or such longer time as determined reasonably necessary by the Independent
Accountant (the “Independent Review Period”). The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be
borne by Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the aggregate amount of the items unsuccessfully
disputed by each (as finally determined by the Independent Accountant) bears to the aggregate amount of the Disputed Items submitted
to the Independent Accountant for review and resolution.
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(e) The
final determination as to each Disputed Item as determined by the Independent Accountant shall be final, non-appealable and binding on
the Parties hereto, absent manifest error, a showing of Fraud or willful misconduct.
2.5. Adjustment
to Estimated Purchase Price.
(a) If
the Final Purchase Price equals the Estimated Purchase Price, then within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of the
Final Purchase Price, Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to release all
funds in the Adjustment Escrow Account to Seller in accordance with written instructions from Seller.
(b) If
the Final Purchase Price is greater than the Estimated Purchase Price (the amount by which the Final Purchase Price exceeds the Estimated
Purchase Price, the “Excess Amount”), then within five (5) Business Days of the final determination of
the Final Purchase Price, Buyer shall pay the Excess Amount to Seller, and Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow
Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to release all funds in the Adjustment Escrow Account to Seller in accordance with written instructions
from Seller.
(c) If
the Final Purchase Price is less than the Estimated Purchase Price (the amount by which the Final Purchase Price is less than the Estimated
Purchase Price, the “Shortfall Amount”):
(i) such
that the Shortfall Amount is less than the aggregate amount in the Adjustment Escrow Account, then within five (5) Business Days
of the final determination of the Final Purchase Price, Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent instructing
the Escrow Agent (i) to pay to Buyer (in accordance with written instructions from Buyer) from the Adjustment Escrow Account an
aggregate amount equal to the Shortfall Amount and (ii) to release the remainder of the amounts from the Adjustment Escrow Account
(if any) to Seller in accordance with written instructions from Seller; or
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(ii) such
that the Shortfall Amount is equal to or greater than the aggregate amount in the Adjustment Escrow Account, then within five (5) Business
Days of the final determination of the Final Purchase Price, Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent instructing
the Escrow Agent to pay to Buyer (in accordance with written instructions from Buyer) all amounts in the Adjustment Escrow Account.
(d) For
the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall not be entitled to recover any amount in respect of this Section 2.5 in excess of the
amount remaining in the Adjustment Escrow Account if any Shortfall Amount exceeds the amount remaining in the Adjustment Escrow Account,
and Buyer’s recovery in respect of any Shortfall Amount shall be limited to the amount in the Adjustment Escrow Account.
(e) Any
payments made pursuant to Section 2.5 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price by the Parties for Tax purposes,
unless otherwise required by Law.
2.6. Withholding.
Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payments pursuant to this Agreement such amounts that the Buyer is required to
deduct and withhold and remit to the applicable Governmental Authority pursuant to applicable Law. Buyer agrees to provide notice to
Seller two (2) Business Days in advance of the Closing Date of the nature and type of withholding Tax the Buyer determines to be
required and the Buyer and the Seller shall work together to reduce or eliminate any such withholding Tax to the fullest extent permitted
under applicable Laws. Any amounts so deducted and withheld will be remitted by Buyer to the appropriate Governmental Authority on a
timely basis. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and remitted to the applicable Governmental Authority, such amounts
will be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
Article III
Representations and Warranties of the Company
The Company represents and
warrants to Buyer as follows:
3.1.
Organization and Power. The Company is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Prior to the Conversion, the Company
was duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Wisconsin as Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
The Company has all limited liability company (or similar) power and authority necessary to own or lease and to operate its properties
and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted.
(b) The
Company is duly qualified to do business, as a foreign limited liability company or otherwise, in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of the business transacted by it or the character of the properties owned or leased by it require such qualification, and each Company
Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business, as a foreign limited liability company, corporation or otherwise, in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business transacted by it or the character of the properties owned or leased by it require such qualification,
except, in each case, where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
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(c) Each
Company Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has
all limited liability company, corporate or similar power and authority necessary to own or lease and to operate its properties and assets
and to carry on its business as currently conducted.
(d) The
Company has delivered to Buyer a true, correct and complete copy of all Organizational Documents and ownership records of the Company
and each Company Subsidiary, and the current minute books of the Company and each Company Subsidiary. The Company’s books and records
are complete in all material respects and maintained in accordance with an adequate system of internal controls for a privately held
business in the same industry as the Company and similar in size to the Company. Schedule 3.1(d) sets forth a list of all
current officers and managers of the Company and each Company Subsidiary.
3.2. Authorization
and Enforceability. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company or
any Company Subsidiary is a party and the performance by the Company and any Company Subsidiary of the Contemplated Transactions that
are required to be performed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary have been duly authorized by the Company, such Company Subsidiary
and the Seller, as applicable, and other than the Requisite Shareholder Approval, no other Company or corporate proceedings on the part
of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or the Seller are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions that are required to be performed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary. This Agreement has been, and each of the Transaction
Documents to be executed and delivered at the Closing by the Company or any Company Subsidiary will be at or prior to the Closing, duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and such Company Subsidiary, and assuming that this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party are valid and legally binding obligations of the other parties hereto
and thereto, this Agreement constitutes, and the Transaction Documents to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party will
constitute at or prior to the Closing, a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and such Company Subsidiary, enforceable
against the Company and such Company Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other
Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
3.3.
Capitalization of the Company. All of the Interests
are owned of record and beneficially by Seller, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities
Laws or the Company’s Organizational Documents). All outstanding Interests were duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights, and were issued in compliance with applicable
securities Laws or exemptions therefrom. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(a), there are no outstanding options, warrants, call,
put, convertible instrument, convertible securities, purchase right, subscription right, conversion right, exchange right, or other similar
rights, Contracts, agreements, arrangements, commitments, undertakings or obligation of any character relating kind whereby any Person
has, or has a right to receive, any Equity Securities of, or right or obligation to acquire any Equity Securities of, the Company or
obligating Seller or the Company to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any membership interests or other Equity Securities of the Company.
24
(b) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.3(b), the Company is not a party to any right of first refusal, right of first offer, proxy, voting
agreement, voting trust, registration rights agreement, stockholders agreement or similar rights or Contracts with respect to the Interests
or the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(b), there are no unit appreciation rights, profit participation rights, phantom
units or similar rights with respect to the Company.
(c) Schedule
3.3(c) sets forth a list of the Subsidiaries of the Company (the “Company Subsidiaries”), listing
for each Company Subsidiary its name, its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and the ownership of its issued and outstanding
Equity Securities, as of the date hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(c), the Equity Securities of each Company Subsidiary
shown on Schedule 3.3(c) as owned by the Company or another Company Subsidiary are owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.
3.4. No
Violation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.4 or as may be required to comply with the requirements of the HSR Act, any other
Antitrust Law, this Agreement, or the other Transaction Documents to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party, the execution
and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a
party, the compliance with and performance of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company or
any Company Subsidiary is a party, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions by the Company do not and will not, directly
or indirectly, result (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) in any amendment, suspension, modification, acceleration of
rights or obligations under, the imposition of any Lien, violation of or default under, or give rise to a right of amendment, suspension,
modification, acceleration of rights or obligations, termination, cancellation or to impose any Lien under any provision of (a) the
Organizational Documents of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, (b) any Law or Order to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
is subject or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company are bound, or (c) any material Contract or Permit to which
the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
is bound.
3.5. Governmental
Authorizations and Consents. No consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations, declarations or filings with,
any Governmental Authority (“Governmental Consents”) are required to be obtained or made by the Company or
any Company Subsidiary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any Transaction Documents to which
the Company or any Company Subsidiary is, or is to be, a party or the consummation by the Company of the Contemplated Transactions, except
for (a) such filings as may be required under the HSR Act or any other applicable Antitrust Laws, (b) those Governmental Consents
listed in Schedule 3.5, and (c) those resulting from Buyer being party to the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Transaction Documents.
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3.6. Financial
Statements. Schedule 3.6(a) sets forth the following financial statements
(the “Financial Statements”): (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries as of January 4, 2025 and January 3, 2026, and the related consolidated audited statements of operations and comprehensive
loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fiscal years ended January 4, 2025, and January 3, 2026, (collectively,
the “Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries as of July 4, 2026 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) and the related unaudited consolidated
statements of operations and comprehensive loss, and cash flows for the six (6) months ended on the Balance Sheet Date (the “Unaudited
Financial Statements”). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6(a), the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the assets, liabilities, consolidated financial position, results of operations
and cash flows of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of their respective dates, subject, in the case of the Unaudited Financial
Statements, to the absence of footnote disclosure and to normal end-of-period adjustments. The Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with, and are consistent with, the books of account and financial records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (which
books and records are correct and complete in all material respects).
(b) With
respect to the inventory of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, (i) all of such inventory consists of a quality and quantity
usable and salable in its Ordinary Course of Business and (ii) none of such inventory is on consignment.
(c) Except
for Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 3.6(c), the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness outstanding on the
date hereof and except for Indebtedness to be paid off at or before Closing pursuant to a Pay-Off Letter, the Company will not have any
Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not in default or otherwise in breach with
respect to any Indebtedness, and has delivered to Buyer a true, correct and complete copy of all documents with respect to any Indebtedness
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. The Company will not have any Transaction Expenses outstanding as of Closing, other than
Unpaid Transaction Expenses set forth on the Preliminary Closing Statement.
3.7. No
Undisclosed Material Liabilities. There is no material liability, commitment or obligation of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries
other than (a) liabilities, commitments or obligations reflected, accrued or reserved against in the Financial Statements, (b) liabilities,
commitments or obligations incurred since the Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business and which are not material in amount,
(c) as set forth in Schedule 3.7, and (d) performance obligations under Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course
of Business that do not arise out of any breach of or default under such Contracts.
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3.8. Absence
of Certain Changes. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, as reflected on the Financial Statements, or as contemplated by or
effected pursuant to the Restructuring (including the F-Reorganization and the Conversion), (i) since the Balance Sheet Date, there
has not been any event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence, or state of facts that, individually
or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (ii) since the Balance Sheet
Date, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have conducted their business in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (iii) since
the Balance Sheet Date through the date hereof, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not:
(a) acquired
(including by merger or acquisition of stock) any Entity, line of business, division or substantial portion of the assets of any Person;
(b) sold,
leased, transferred, mortgaged, licensed, conveyed or assigned or otherwise disposed of any assets, tangible or intangible, other than
in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(c) modified
or amended its Organizational Documents;
(d) issued,
sold or otherwise permitted to become outstanding any of its Equity Securities, or split, combined, reclassified, repurchased or redeemed
any of its Equity Securities;
(e) adopted
a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, or dissolution;
(f) changed
any accounting methods, principles, or practices of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, except as required by GAAP or applicable
Law;
(g) made,
or forgiven, any loans, advances, or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person;
(h) instituted,
cancelled, compromised, settled or waived any claims, rights or Legal Proceedings;
(i) incurred,
assumed, or guaranteed any Indebtedness, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(j) mortgaged,
pledged or subjected to any Lien, any property or asset (whether tangible or intangible) of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries,
except for (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) Liens incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which will be released at or prior
to Closing;
(k) engaged
in any transactions with, or entered into any Contracts with, any controlling Affiliate (other than the Company) of the Company or the
Company Subsidiaries, except to the extent required by Law or any existing Contract;
(l) made,
or committed to make, any capital expenditures in a single capital improvement project in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000.00),
except for capital expenditures contemplated by the Capital Plan;
(m) entered
into, modified, or terminated any labor or collective bargaining agreement of the Company or, through negotiation or otherwise, made
any commitment to, recognized, commenced bargaining or incurred any liability to any labor union, labor organization, works council,
collective bargaining representative, or similar Person;
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(n) entered
into or adopted or amended or terminated any (i) Company Employment Contract that provides for a base salary or severance amount,
as applicable, of more than Three Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($300,000.00), except to the extent required by law, (ii) or
any Contract for the employment of any employee that is not terminable “at will” and without advance notice;
(o) hired
or terminated the employment of, or provided a notice of termination to, (i) any officer or (ii) any non-officer employee whose
base salary is at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000);
(p) amended,
terminated or otherwise modified any Material Contract;
(q) acquired,
purchased, redeemed or encumbered any Equity Securities;
(r) entered
into any Company IP Agreements; or
(s) authorized,
agreed, resolved or committed to any of the foregoing, if not set forth above.
3.9.
Real Property. Schedule 3.9(a) includes
a complete list of all material real property leases, subleases, licenses or other occupancies currently used by the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party as lessee, licensee or occupant (the “Real
Property Leases,” and the properties leased thereunder, the “Leased Real Property”). The leasehold
interests relating to the Real Property Leases are valid and free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, provided
that the Company does not make any representations or warranties as it relates to registered title to the lands and buildings which are
the subject of the Real Property Leases. No material default by the Company or any Company Subsidiary exists under any Real Property
Lease, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no material default by the applicable lessor exists under any Real Property Lease. Each
Real Property Lease is legal, valid and binding on, and enforceable against, the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary, and, to
the Knowledge of the Company, is legal, valid and binding on, and enforceable against, the applicable lessor, in each case in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’
rights and to general equity principles.
(b) The
current use and operation of the Leased Real Property by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries does not violate in any material respect
any Law, including any zoning, building code or other land use Law. The Leased Real Property is adequate for the operation of the business
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted in the Ordinary Course of Business in all material respects.
(c) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.9(c), all real property owned by the Company and any Company Subsidiary (the “Owned Real
Property”) is held by the Company or such Company Subsidiary in fee simple title. The Owned Real Property is free and clear
of all Liens except for Permitted Liens.
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(d) Schedule
3.9(d) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a complete list of all Owned Real Property, including the street address and/or
tax (parcel) identification number of each parcel.
(e) There
is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened condemnation or other eminent domain proceeding affecting any Owned Real
Property, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any Contract for the sale or other disposition of any Owned Real
Property in lieu of condemnation.
(f) The
current use and operation of the Owned Real Property by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries does not violate in any material respect
any Law, including any zoning, building code or other land use Law, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, other than Permitted Liens,
no material improvement constituting a part of the Owned Real Property encroaches on real property owned or leased by any Person other
than the Company or the Company Subsidiaries. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, hold all certificates of occupancy
and other land use permits, approvals and entitlements required under applicable Law for the current use and operation of the Owned Real
Property, all of which are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice
of any material violation or default with respect thereto.
(g) The
Owned Real Property has actual vehicular and pedestrian access to and from a public right-of-way, and all material licenses, permits,
easements and rights-of-way required for such access have been obtained by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and are in full force
and effect.
(h) The
Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property, and the buildings, structures and other improvements located thereon, are in good operating
condition and repair in all material respects, are free from material structural defects, and are adequate in all material respects for
the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted, except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not
material in nature or cost.
(i) The
Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary has paid or resupplied when due all security deposits required to be paid or resupplied
by the Company or such Subsidiary under each Real Property Lease.
(j) Except
for the Real Property Leases, and other than Permitted Liens, there is no lease, sublease, license or other occupancy agreement in effect
with respect to any Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary or any Affiliate
of the Company has entered into, as lessor or sublessor, any lease or sublease affecting any portion of the Owned Real Property or the
Leased Real Property.
(k) There
are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against or affecting the Owned Real Property
or the Leased Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein.
(l) All
water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, and other utilities required by Law or currently used in connection with the ownership, operation
and maintenance of the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property are installed and connected pursuant to valid permits, and, to
the Knowledge of the Company, there is no pending or threatened termination of any such utility services.
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(m) Neither
the Owned Real Property nor the Leased Real Property, nor any portion thereof, is currently damaged or impaired as a result of any fire,
explosion, flood or other casualty, except for damage that has been fully repaired or that is not material.
(n) There
are no uncured material defaults or breaches by the Company or any Company Subsidiary under any covenant, condition, restriction, easement,
right of way, mortgage, deed of trust or license affecting the Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property that is required to be
performed or complied with by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
(o) There
are no outstanding options, rights of first refusal or rights of first offer to purchase the Owned Real Property or any portion thereof.
(p) The
Company has made available to Buyer all existing title insurance policies and surveys with respect Owned Real Property or the Leased
Real Property that are in the possession of, or under the control of, the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
3.10. Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule
3.10(a) sets forth a list of all registrations or pending applications for Company Owned IP. Each of the registered or
pending Company Owned IP identified on Schedule 3.10(a) is valid, subsisting, and enforceable, and has not been abandoned,
cancelled, or expired.
(b) The
Company owns all Company Owned IP free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and either owns or has the valid right or
license to use all Company IP in its business as currently conducted. All licenses and other agreements pursuant to which the Company
or any Company Subsidiary is authorized to use Intellectual Property are in full force and effect.
(c) (i) The
Company Owned IP and the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted does not infringe or misappropriate any Intellectual
Property of any Third Party, and at all times since January 1, 2023, the Company Owned IP and the operation of the business of the
Company as currently conducted has not infringed, misappropriated, or violated any Intellectual Property of any Third Party; (ii) no
written, or to the Knowledge of the Company oral, claim, demand, or notice has been received by the Company or any Company Subsidiary
since January 1, 2023, alleging any such infringement, misappropriation, or violation (including any offer to license Intellectual
Property in lieu of such a claim), and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no facts or circumstances exist that would support such a claim
or demand; and (iii) except as set forth in Schedule 3.10(c), there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, threatened in writing alleging any of the foregoing. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Third Party has infringed upon,
misappropriated, or violated since January 1, 2023, or is infringing upon, misappropriating, or violating, any Company Owned IP.
(d) Each
current and former employee, officer, director, independent contractor, consultant, and agent of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
who has contributed to the development or modification of any Company Owned IP (each, an “IP Contributor”)
has executed a written agreement containing a present-tense assignment of Intellectual Property rights, assigning to the Company all
right, title, and interest in and to such Intellectual Property. No IP Contributor has any claim to any ownership interest in any Company
Owned IP. No funding, facilities, or personnel of any Governmental Authority or any university, college, or other educational or research
institution were used to develop any Company Owned IP.
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(e) The
Company and each Company Subsidiary has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of (i) its material trade
secrets and confidential business information; and (ii) any trade secrets and confidential information of a Third Party for which
the Company or any Company Subsidiary is responsible. The Company and each Company Subsidiary has enforced a policy of requiring officers,
managers, directors, employees, agents, consultants, and contractors with responsibility for the development or implementation of Intellectual
Property, or who may be exposed to any trade secret, know-how, or other confidential information, to execute proprietary information,
confidentiality, and assignment agreements protecting the secrecy, confidentiality, and value of such trade secrets or confidential information.
There has been no unauthorized disclosure, misappropriation, or breach of confidentiality of any material trade secret or confidential
information of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or, to the extent the Company or any Company Subsidiary is responsible therefor,
of any Third Party. The documentation relating to all material trade secrets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is current, accurate,
and sufficient in detail and content to identify and explain such trade secrets and to allow their full and proper use in the operation
of the business of the Company or any Company Subsidiary without reliance on the knowledge or memory of any individual.
(f) Neither
the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will, with or without
notice or the lapse of time, result in a breach or violation of, or require consent under, any Contract concerning the Company Owned
IP, any Company IP Agreement, or any Business IT Systems, or result in the loss of ownership of, or any right to use, or the creation
of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on, any Company Owned IP or Business IT Systems, or give rise to any right of a Third Party
to any of the foregoing. No fees payable under any Company IP Agreement will materially increase as a result of the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions.
(g) The
Company and each Company Subsidiary’s use of Open Source Software has not resulted in, and does not require, the Company to disclose,
license, or distribute any proprietary Software of the Company in source code form, to license any proprietary Software of the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries for the purpose of making derivative works, or to make any proprietary Software of the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries available at no charge.
(h) The
Company and each Company Subsidiary owns or has a valid right to use its Business IT Systems, and the Business IT Systems are sufficient
for, and constitute all Business IT Systems necessary for, the conduct of the business of the Company as currently conducted. The Business
IT Systems are in good working condition and have been maintained in accordance with commercially reasonable standards, and do not contain
any disabling code, back door, time bomb, Trojan horse, virus, ransomware, malware, worm, or other malicious code. During the past twelve
(12) months, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has experienced (i) any material disruption to, or interruption in,
the conduct of its business attributable to a defect, bug, breakdown, or other failure of the Business IT Systems or (ii) any material
unauthorized access to, or material breach of, any Business IT Systems owned or operated by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries.
The Company and each Company Subsidiary has taken commercially reasonable measures to provide for the back-up and recovery of data necessary
to the business as currently operated.
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3.11. Privacy
and Data Security.
(a) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.11(a), the Company and each Company Subsidiary is and for the three (3) years immediately preceding
the date of this Agreement: (i) has been and is in material compliance with all Data Protection Requirements; (ii) has developed
and implemented public privacy notices and internal data security or privacy policies and procedures (copies of which have been made
available to Buyer); (iii) maintains commercially reasonable and necessary administrative, physical, and technical information security
measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information technology systems and Personal Information in
its possession or control, and designed to prevent the loss and unauthorized use, access, alteration, destruction or disclosure of such
Personal Information; and (iv) has trained its employees to follow these policies and procedures.
(b) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has been subject to or received notice of any action, Order, or written complaint regarding the
protection, collection, access, use, storage, disposal, disclosure, or transfer of Personal Information or the violation of any Data
Protection Requirements, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any action or Order threatened against a Company.
(c) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has suffered, discovered, or been notified of any unauthorized acquisition, use, disclosure, access
to, or breach of any Personal Information that (i) constitutes a breach or a data security incident under any Data Protection Requirements;
or (ii) materially compromises (individually or in the aggregate) the security or privacy of such Personal Information.
(d) In
the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has reported
a breach or compromise of Personal Information to any Person, either voluntarily or based on Data Protection Requirements.
(e) In
the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has filed a
claim for coverage relating to any data security or privacy matter covered under an insurance policy issued to, or on behalf of, the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries.
(f) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any obligation under any Material Contract to maintain Personal Information in a manner that
physically separates data of one customer from that of another.
(g) In
the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, the Company and each Company Subsidiary has performed a periodic
security risk assessment and has created and maintained documentation regarding such security risk assessments in accordance with Privacy
and Cybersecurity Laws. The Company and each Company Subsidiary has addressed or is remediating all material deficiencies identified
in such security risk assessments.
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(h) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does not violate any Data Protection Requirements. Immediately following the Closing,
the surviving entity will own and continue to have the right to use all Personal Information on substantially similar terms and conditions
as the Company enjoyed immediately prior to the Closing Date.
3.12. Contracts.
(a) Material
Contracts. Schedule 3.12(a) sets forth true, correct and complete list (and to the extent that a Material Contract is oral,
such Schedule contains an accurate description of the material terms thereof, and such Schedule indicates the applicable clause(s) among
the following to which each such Material Contract relates) of each of the following Contracts, whether written or oral, to which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it or its assets is bound excluding any Plans set forth on Schedule 3.17(a) (each,
a “Material Contract” and collectively, the “Material Contracts”):
(i) Contracts
evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed money owed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with an original principal amount in excess
of One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00);
(ii) all
Company Employment Contracts that provide for annual base compensation in excess of Three Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($300,000.00);
(iii) all
Company IP Agreements;
(iv) leases
of personal property under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is the lessee and is obligated to make payments in excess of Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) per annum;
(v) Contracts
providing for the acquisition of any business, a material amount of equity or assets of any other Person or any real property (whether
by merger, sale of equity, sale of assets, or otherwise) entered into at any time during the last three (3) years;
(vi) Contracts
currently limiting the freedom of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to engage in any line of business, acquire any Entity or compete
with any Person or in any market or geographical area;
(vii) any
labor or collective bargaining agreements or similar agreements with any union, works council, or collective labor organization;
(viii) all
Contracts, the performance of which is reasonably expected to involve annual payments on the part of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) and are not terminable by the Company or such Company Subsidiary on thirty
(30) days’ notice or less without premium or penalty (excluding sales orders and purchase orders issued in the Ordinary Course
of Business);
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(ix) any
Contracts relating to the supply of products (including distribution, dealer, broker, and sales representative Contracts) or services
by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) and are not terminable by the
Company or such Company Subsidiary on thirty (30) days’ notice or less without premium or penalty (excluding sales orders and purchase
orders issued in the Ordinary Course of Business);
(x) all
settlement agreements that impose any outstanding obligations or restrictions on the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(xi) each
Contract with a current or former Company Employee providing for severance, retention, change in control, or other similar payments or
benefits for such Company Employee other than the Company Employment Contracts listed under subsection (ii) above;
(xii) any
joint venture, limited partnership agreements or similar agreements;
(xiii) any
grower agreement, contract poultry production agreement, hatchery agreement, or similar agreement relating to the production or supply
of live poultry that provides for annual payments by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000.00) or that is otherwise material to the Company’s poultry supply operations;
(xiv) any
Contract that is terminable, cancellable or modifiable upon a change in control of the Company;
(xv) any
Contract that relates to capital expenditures or the acquisition of fixed assets with expected aggregate expenditures in excess of Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00);
(xvi) any
Contract that contains a power of attorney;
(xvii) any
Contract that relates to hedging of risk or contains a swap or similar arrangement;
(xviii)
any Contract that contains any form of most-favored-nation clause, right of first refusal clause, take-or-pay
clause, grants any party exclusivity, or contains any similar provision;
(xix) any
Contract providing for (or under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary provides) allowances or rebates in excess of Two Hundred
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per annum;
(xx) any
Contract that relates to the indemnification of any Person (excluding sales orders and purchase orders issued in the Ordinary Course
of Business); and
(xxi) any
Contract not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business.
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(b) Status
of Material Contracts. A true and complete copy of each Material Contract has been made available to Buyer. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.12(b), all Material Contracts (assuming due power and authority of, and due execution and delivery by, the other party
or parties thereto) are legal, valid, and binding on the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, and to the Knowledge of
the Company, each other party thereto and are in full force and effect and enforceable against the Company and the Company Subsidiaries,
as applicable, and to the Knowledge of the Company, against each other party thereto, in accordance with their respective terms, subject
to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and
to general equity principles. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(b), all Material Contracts will continue to be so legal, valid,
binding, in full force and effect and enforceable on identical terms upon the consummation of the Contemplated Transaction, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to
general equity principles.
(c) With
respect to each Material Contract, as of the date of this Agreement, (i) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in default
under or in breach of, or in receipt of any written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, other claim of default under or breach of, any
Material Contract, and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any Material Contract is in default under or in breach
of any Material Contract. No event has occurred that (with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, or both) would constitute
a material breach or default of, or permit termination, modification, acceleration or cancellation of, any Material Contract or of any
material right or obligation thereunder. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has waived any material right under any Material
Contract. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(c), no party to any Material Contract has terminated, modified, accelerated or
canceled any Material Contract or any material right or liability thereunder or communicated in writing such party’s intent to
do so. Neither the Company, nor any Company Subsidiary, has received any prepayment under any Material Contract for any service that
has not been fully performed or good that has not been supplied (other than as is fully reflected in the Unaudited Financial Statements
and will be in Closing Net Working Capital). If the parties to a Material Contract are performing under terms that have expired by the
express terms of such Material Contract, then Schedule 3.12(c) identifies such expiration and describes the material terms
under which such parties continue to perform. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(c), there are no ongoing negotiations with
respect to any Material Contract, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any notice of a party’s desire
or intent to renegotiate a Material Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, standard end-user license agreements, website terms of use,
privacy notices, and customary commercial terms of sale or purchase used in the Ordinary Course of Business shall not, by themselves,
constitute Material Contracts unless otherwise listed on Schedule 3.12(a).
3.13. Compliance
with Laws.
(a) The
Company and each Company Subsidiary is, and for the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement has been, in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. Since January 1, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has received any written notice of the material violation of any Laws by the Company or such Company Subsidiary.
35
(b) The
Company and each Company Subsidiary holds all material certifications, licenses, permits, authorizations, registrations, variances, exemptions,
waivers, consents and approvals of Governmental Authorities and third-party nongovernmental certifying bodies (“Permits”)
which are required under applicable Law for the operation of the business of the Company and each Company Subsidiary as currently conducted,
and each such Permit is listed in Schedule 3.13(b). All such Permits are in full force and effect and the Company and each Company
Subsidiary, as applicable, is in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Permits to which it is a party. Neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any notice of revocation, suspension, modification or termination with respect to any
Permit, and no Permit is subject to revocation, suspension, modification or termination as a result of the Contemplated Transactions.
3.14. Environmental
Matters.
(a) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.14, for the past three (3) years the Company and each Company Subsidiary are and have been in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.14, the Company and each Company Subsidiary have obtained and maintained all Permits required by applicable
Environmental Laws (collectively referred to as “Environmental Permits”) for the operations of the Company,
each of which is listed in Schedule 3.13(b), and is and has been, within the last three (3) years, in compliance in all material
respects with the terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits. There are no Orders or Legal Proceedings pending or threatened
to revoke, suspend, or rescind any such Environmental Permits and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no fact or condition that
would result in the revocation, suspension, non-renewal, or termination of such Environmental Permits. With respect to any such Environmental
Permits, the Company and each Company Subsidiary have undertaken all measures necessary to facilitate transferability of the same or
provide notice to, or receive approval from, applicable Governmental Authority, as may be necessary, and, to the Knowledge of the Company,
there is no condition, event or circumstance that might prevent or impede the transferability of the same.
(c) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.14, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, threatened Order or Legal Proceeding alleging noncompliance with, violation of, or liability under any Environmental
Law.
(d) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.14, no Hazardous Substances have been Released (i) at any Owned Real Property, (ii) at any
Leased Real Property during the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s occupancy of the Leased Real Property, or (iii) to
the Knowledge of the Company, at any real property formerly owned, leased, operated, or occupied by the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
except, in each instance, in compliance with Environmental Laws in all material respects and in such a manner that would not cause liability
under Environmental Law.
(e) To
the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts, circumstances, events, or conditions relating to the past or present operation of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary, or to any property or facility presently or formerly owned, leased, used, or operated by the Company
or any Company Subsidiary that would (i) give rise to any Legal Proceeding or material liability under any Environmental Law, or
(ii) prevent, impede, or materially increase the costs associated with the ownership, lease, operation, or use of the Owned Real
Property, Leased Real Property, business, or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, in each case under any Environmental Law;
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(f) To
the Knowledge of the Company, except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(f), none of the following exists at the Owned Real Property
or the Leased Real Property: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos containing material; (iii) materials or equipment
labeled as containing polychlorinated biphenyls; (iv) sumps or catchment or drainage systems; or (v) disposal units or landfills.
(g) No
real property currently or formerly owned, leased, operated, or used by the Company or any Company Subsidiary is listed on, or has been
proposed for listing on, the National Priorities List (or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information
System or the Superfund Enterprise Management System) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act,
42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq., or any similar state list.
(h) To
the Knowledge of the Company, no per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are present, manufactured, or intentionally used in the operations
of or in any products manufactured, imported, or distributed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or at any of the real property
currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
(i) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has retained or assumed, by Contract or operation of Law, any liabilities or obligations of third
parties under Environmental Law.
(j) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.5, the transaction contemplated in this Agreement does not require notice to, or approval from, any
Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law.
(k) The
Company has made available to the Buyer true and complete copies of any Phase I Environmental Site Assessment reports, Phase II Environmental
Site Assessment reports, environmental reports and compliance audits, and any other material studies, analyses, tests, communications,
data, or monitoring in the possession or control of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, pertaining to any environmental investigation,
Release of Hazardous Substances, Environmental Law, Environmental Permit, any Order or Legal Proceeding alleging liability, non-compliance,
or violations by the Company or any Company Subsidiary under any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or any real property currently
or formerly owned, leased, operated, or used by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
3.15. Legal
Proceedings. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, there is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company or any Company Subsidiary, at law or in equity. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject
to any Order except to the extent the same would not reasonably be material to the Company or such Company Subsidiary. Neither the Company
nor any Company Subsidiary is in breach or default under any Order.
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3.16. Employment
Matters.
(a) Schedule
3.16(a), sets forth a list of all persons who are employees, independent contractors or consultants of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary as of the date hereof, including any employee who is on a leave of absence of any nature, paid or unpaid, authorized or unauthorized,
and sets forth for each such individual the following: (i) name; (ii) title or position (including whether full-time or part-time);
(iii) hire or retention date; (iv) primary work location, including city and state, and whether such employee primarily performs
services from a home office; (v) for each employee, classification as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act; (vi) current
annual base compensation rate or contract fee; (vii) current commission, bonus or other incentive-based compensation; (viii) total
compensation for calendar year 2025; (ix) if applicable, leave status (including type of leave, leave start date and anticipated
return to work date); (x) accrued but unused vacation and sick pay (whether in the form of paid time off, or some other form); (xi) if
applicable, any employee on a non-immigrant visa, including the category of visa and the expiration date of the visa; and (xii) a
description of the fringe benefits provided to each such individual as of the date hereof.
(b) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (i) is a party to any collective bargaining agreements or other agreements with any labor
organization or union, works council, or other employee organization (each, a “Labor Organization”) (and no
such agreement is currently being requested by, or is under discussion by management with, any employee or others) and neither the Company
nor any Company Subsidiary is currently negotiating, or obligated to negotiate, any such agreement with any union, labor organization,
employee or others; or (ii) is obligated by, or subject to, any order of the National Labor Relations Board or other labor board
or administration, or any unfair labor practice decision. To the Knowledge of the Company, (i) there is no union organizing campaign
pending or threatened in writing and no union organizing campaign has occurred or been threatened in the last three (3) years, and
(ii) no unfair labor practice charge or complaint has been pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental
Authority in the last three (3) years.
(c) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.16(c), in the last three (3) years there have been no administrative charges, court complaints
or Legal Proceeding of which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has been provided written notice or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
threatened in writing against the Company or any Company Subsidiary before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other
Governmental Authority concerning alleged discrimination or any other matters relating to the employment of labor or human rights or
any other matter relating to employees.
(d) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.16(d), the Company and each Company Subsidiary is, and for the three (3) years immediately preceding
the date of this Agreement has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment
practices, including with respect to terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, equal opportunity, immigration control, and
occupational safety and health.
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(e) To
the Knowledge of the Company, no officer or employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary at the level of manager or higher whose
departure would materially disrupt the operations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, and no group of three or more Company or
Company Subsidiary employees in a single department has, as of the date hereof, disclosed any plans to terminate their employment or
relationship with the Company or such Company Subsidiary.
(f) Each
Person who provides services to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or who has provided services to the Company or any Company Subsidiary
in the last three (3) years: (i) is properly classified with respect to employment status for all purposes, including employment,
labor and wage and hour compliance and Tax purposes, and (ii) is or has been classified and treated as an independent contractor,
consultant or in a similar capacity qualifies and has qualified as an independent contractor and not as an employee under applicable
Law.
(g) To
the Knowledge of the Company, no employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is subject to any secrecy, non-solicitation or non-competition
agreement or any other agreement or restriction of any kind that would impede in any way the ability of such employee to carry out fully
all activities of such employee.
(h) The
qualifications of each Company Employee for employment under applicable Law have been reviewed by the Company and a properly completed
Form I-9 is on file with respect to each current and former Company or Company Subsidiary employee for whom such Form I-9 is
required under applicable Law.
(i) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has engaged in any workforce reduction or other action related to any employee of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary in the last three (3) years that has resulted in any unsatisfied liability or which could result in liability
under the WARN Act, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has issued any notice that any such action is to occur in the
future.
(j) The
Company has made available to the Buyer copies of all employee handbooks and any other material written policies concerning employees
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.
3.17. Employee
Benefits.
(a) Schedule
3.17(a) sets forth a complete and correct list of all Plans. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Plan”
is each of (i) “Employee Pension Benefit Plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA), which is maintained or contributed to by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
has any material liability or material contingent liability, and which is not a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA); (ii) “Employee Welfare Benefit Plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA), which is maintained or contributed to by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
has any material liability or material contingent liability; and (iii) whether or not subject to ERISA, on-site health clinic, retirement,
pension, savings, profit sharing, employment, consulting, compensation, equity interest purchase, option, or bonus plan, deferred compensation,
severance pay, change in control, incentive, merit or performance bonus, vacation, paid time off, sick pay or leave, medical, dental,
health, life, death benefit, group insurance, fringe benefit plan, policy, or arrangement, or payroll practice, whether or not reduced
to writing, funded, insured or self-funded, which is maintained by or contributed to by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or under
which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has any material liability or material contingent liability and (iv) a Plan described
in the preceding subsections (i) – (iii) which is maintained by, contributed to by any ERISA Affiliate or under which
an ERISA Affiliate has any material liability or material contingent liability. Each Plan that is an employment, retention, termination,
severance, transaction, sale or change-of-control agreement between the Company or any Company Subsidiary and an individual employee
is referred to herein as a “Company Employment Contract.”
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(b) With
respect to each Plan set forth in Schedule 3.17(a), the Company has provided to Buyer accurate and complete copies of (as applicable):
(i) all current Plan documents, (ii) all funding documents in respect of any Plan which is required to be funded, (iii) all
administrative arrangement documents, including, but not limited to, trust agreements, insurance contracts, custodial agreements, and
investment manager agreements, (iv) the latest favorable determination letter or opinion letter received from the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) regarding the qualification of each Plan covered by Section 401(a) of the Code, (v) if
applicable, the most recently filed Form 5500 for each Employee Pension Benefit Plan and for each Employee Welfare Benefit Plan,
if applicable, (vi) the most recent summary plan description and employee booklets provided to participants, and each summary of
material modification regarding the terms and provisions thereof, (vii) the most recent actuarial report, if applicable (viii) nondiscrimination
testing and corrections for each year since January 1, 2023 (ix) for 2023, 2024 and 2025 each, the Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C
and 1095-C, as applicable, for each Plan that constitutes a “group health plan” as defined under the Patient Protection And
Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and (x) any material or non-routine correspondence
with a Governmental Authority since January 1, 2023, in each case if applicable.
(c) During
the last three years, each Plan has been maintained, funded and administered in compliance in all material respects with the terms of
such Plan, the applicable requirements of the Code and ERISA and any other applicable Laws, and, if applicable, with any agreement entered
into with Labor Organizations.
(d) Each
Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code is the subject of a favorable determination letter or opinion letter
from the IRS to the effect that such Plan is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code, respectively, and nothing
has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualification of such Plan.
(e) Within
the past six (6) years, neither the Company nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has maintained, sponsored, contributed
to, or any obligation to, or any liability with respect to: (i) a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA); (ii) a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA), a pension plan subject to the
minimum finding standards of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, or subject to Section 4021 of ERISA; (iii) a
multiple employer plan as described in Section 413(c) of the Code or Sections 210 or 4062 of ERISA; (iv) a “multiple
employer welfare arrangement” as described in Section 3(40)(A) of ERISA; or (v) has incurred any liability to or
with respect to a Plan (other than with respect to contributions not yet due) or to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than
for the payment of premiums not yet due).
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(f) All
contributions to the Plans (including both employee and employer contributions), including premium payments and reimbursements, that
are required to have been made, whether by virtue of its terms or by operation of Law, have been made by the due date thereof (including
all applicable extensions) in all material respects or properly accrued in all material respects.
(g) The
Company and the Company Subsidiaries do not provide any post-employment medical or other welfare benefit coverage for any individual
formerly affiliated with the Company or any Company Subsidiary other than coverage mandated by Section 4980B of the Code, or any
similar state Laws, and at the sole expense of such individual or their beneficiaries or dependents. The Company has provided a list
of each individual who is currently receiving or in the election window to receive continuation coverage under Section 4980B of
the Code or any similar state Laws.
(h) Each
trust that funds a Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code as a Voluntary Employees’ Benefit
Association (“VEBA”) is the subject of a favorable tax-exempt status letter from the IRS to the effect that
such VEBA is entitled to tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, and nothing has occurred that would reasonably
be expected to adversely affect the tax-exempt status of such VEBA. Each such VEBA constitutes a welfare benefit fund within the meaning
of Section 419(e) of the Code, and the Company or its ERISA Affiliates have funded benefits under an Employee Welfare Benefit
Plan through such VEBA in accordance with Sections 419 and 419A of the Code. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged
in or permitted to occur, any transaction that would result in a Tax on the VEBA. Schedule 3.17(h) sets forth, as of
the most recent practical date, a true, correct and complete statement of the VEBA balance and outstanding Employee Welfare Benefit Plan
obligations, and the methodology to determine each.
(i) Each
Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and associated
Treasury Department guidance is in operational and documentary compliance in all material respects with Section 409A of the Code
and associated IRS and Treasury Department guidance.
(j) As
of the date hereof, there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Legal Proceeding or audit of any kind by or on
behalf of any Plan, any employee or beneficiary covered under any Plan or any Governmental Authority involving any Plan, or otherwise
involving any Plan (other than routine claims for benefits). Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in or permitted
to occur and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party has engaged in or permitted to occur, any transaction prohibited by Section 405
of ERISA or any non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 4975 of the Code or a breach of fiduciary duty determined
under ERISA that could result in any material liability, penalty or Tax to any Plan, the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
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(k) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.17(k), neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions
would be reasonably likely (either alone or in combination with another action) to (i) entitle any Person providing services to
the Company or any Company Subsidiary to any payment, forgiveness of Indebtedness, vesting, distribution, or increase in benefits or
compensation; (ii) result in any acceleration (of vesting or payment of benefits or compensation or otherwise); (iii) trigger
any obligation to fund any Plan (iv) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting of compensation or benefits to any current
or former employee of the Company; or (v) result in any material payment or benefit (whether in cash, property or the vesting of
property) becoming due to any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other individual
service providers of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
(l) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.17(l), neither the Company nor its Affiliates have made any promise or commitment to any individual
who is employed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, labor union or bargaining representative covering the Company or any Company
Subsidiary to amend any Plan, to provide increased benefits or establish any new plan, except as required by Law.
(m) No
current or former employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is party to any agreement with the Company, or any Company Subsidiary
or any of their respective Affiliates containing an indemnity, reimbursement or gross-up obligation on or after the Closing for any Taxes,
including those imposed or arising under Section 409A of the Code.
3.18. Taxes.
(a) All
Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company and each Company Subsidiary have been filed (taking into account extensions of time to
file) and such Tax Returns were true, complete, and correct in all material respects. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(a),
the Company and each Company Subsidiary has paid all Taxes due and owing by it, whether or not shown on such Tax Returns.
(b) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.18(b), there is no, and during the past three (3) years there has been no, Tax audit or proceeding
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing with respect to Taxes of the Company or any Company Subsidiary and
neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received written notice of any Tax audit or examination that is currently pending.
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(b), neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has granted any extension or waiver of
the statute of limitations period, or of the time for assessment or collection, applicable to any Tax or Tax Return, which period (after
giving effect to such extension or waiver) has not yet expired.
(c) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.18(c), the Company and each Company Subsidiary has or has caused to be withheld and has paid over or
has caused to have been paid over to the appropriate Governmental Authorities, all material Taxes required to be so withheld and paid
over for all periods under all applicable Law in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor,
customer, or other party. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(c), there are no Liens for unpaid Taxes on the assets of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary except for Taxes not yet due and payable.
42
(d) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written claim from any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction where the Company
or such Company Subsidiary does not currently file Tax Returns that it is subject to Tax in that jurisdiction. Neither the Company nor
any Company Subsidiary is a resident for Tax purposes of, or has a branch, permanent establishment, or Taxable presence in, any country
other than its country of organization.
(e) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.18(e), neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (i) is a party to, or bound by, any Tax
indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement, arrangement, or similar Contract (excluding any Contract entered into in the Ordinary
Course of Business, the principal purpose of which is not Taxes), (ii) has been a member of an affiliated group (under Code Section 1504(a))
filing a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return, (iii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of applicable Law), as transferee or successor to any Person, or otherwise, and (iv) has
not executed or filed any power of attorney with respect to Taxes with any Governmental Authority which is still in force.
(f) There
are no closing agreements or similar arrangements with any Governmental Authority with regard to the determination of the Tax liability
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would have continuing effect on periods (or portions thereof) ending after the Closing
Date.
(g) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has engaged in any “listed transaction,” as set forth in Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) of
the U.S. Treasury Regulations.
(h) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has distributed the Equity Securities of another Person or had its Equity Securities distributed
by another Person in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Sections 355 or 361 of the Code.
(i) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable
income for any taxable period (or any portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date (i) under Section 481 of the Code (or
any similar adjustments under any provision of the Code or the corresponding applicable Law) by reason of a change in method of accounting
in any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date, (ii) pursuant to the provisions of any closing agreement as described
in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding applicable Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) as a result
of the installment method of accounting, (iv) as a result of the completed contract method of accounting or the cash method of accounting
with respect to a transaction that occurred prior to the Closing Date, or (v) as a result of, the application of Section 951
or Section 951A of the Code with respect to income earned or recognized or payments received prior to the Closing.
(j) The
Company was since December 29, 1991 and up until the Restructuring, a validly electing “S corporation” within the meaning
of Sections 1361 and 1362 of the Code and was, during this time, treated as an S corporation for purposes of the applicable Laws of each
state and local jurisdiction in which the Company was subject to Tax and in which an analogous election is available. Seller made a timely
and valid QSub election for the Company following the F-Reorganization, and prior to the Conversion, the Company was a QSub, owned by
Seller. Since the Conversion, the Company has been validly treated as disregarded as an entity separate from its owner within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii) for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income Tax purposes. No
Governmental Authority has challenged the Company’s classification as a disregarded entity, and no election has been filed or will
be filed to change such classification for U.S. income Tax purposes. The Company will not be liable for any Tax under Section 1374
of the Code (or any comparable provisions of state or local Tax Law) related to events or transactions occurring prior to or in connection
with the Closing.
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(k) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.18(k), the Company and each Company Subsidiary has collected all material sales and use Taxes required
to be collected, and has remitted, or will remit on a timely basis, such amounts to the appropriate Governmental Authorities, or has
been furnished properly completed exemption certificates and has maintained all such records and supporting documents in the manner required
by all applicable Laws.
(l) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is party to any Contract or plan that has resulted or could result, separately or in the aggregate,
in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding
provision of applicable state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign Tax Laws).
(m) All
transactions between the Company and any Company Subsidiary (or between or among any of them) have been carried out on arm’s length
terms and conditions, and the Company and Company Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all applicable documentation
requirements under all applicable Laws relating to such transactions.
(n) Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to or the beneficiary of any Tax exemption, Tax holiday or other Tax reduction Contract
or Order.
(o) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.18(o), neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is (or before the Restructuring, was) subject
to any entity-level Income Taxes, nor any of the Company or any Company Subsidiary file any composite Tax Returns and it has not made
an election pursuant to which it will incur or otherwise be liable for any Tax of the Company elected, imposed, or paid under a pass-through
entity tax regime (such as a state “PTET” or similar elective or mandatory entity-level Tax enacted in connection with the
limitation on the deduction of state and local taxes).
(p) Schedule
3.18(p) sets forth each ERC claimed by the Company and each Company Subsidiary. For each ERC claimed, the Company or such Company
Subsidiary was entitled to such ERC.
3.19. Insurance.
All insurance policies maintained by the Company and each Company Subsidiary, including those insurance policies relating to Plans set
forth on Schedule 3.17(a), are set forth on Schedule 3.19 (the “Insurance Policies”). All such
Insurance Policies are legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon have been
paid (other than retroactive or retrospective premium adjustments that are not yet but may be required to be paid with respect to any
period ending prior to the Closing Date) and no notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy
which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation. Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary is and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any Insurance Policy is in default or otherwise in breach thereof
(including regarding payment of premiums or giving of notices). No event has occurred that (with or without the passage of time or giving
of notice, or both) would constitute a default or breach, or permit termination, modification, cancellation or acceleration of any right
or obligation under any Insurance Policy. The Insurance Policies are of the type and in the amounts customarily
carried by Persons conducting a business similar to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and are sufficient for compliance with all
applicable Laws and Contracts to which the Company and any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound. The Company and each
Company Subsidiary is in compliance with all Material Contracts requiring the Company and such Company Subsidiary to list a third party
as an additional or named insured.
44
3.20. Assets.
(a) Except
with respect to Permitted Liens or as set forth on Schedule 3.20(a), the Company and each Company Subsidiary has sole and exclusive,
good and marketable title to, or, in the case of property held under a lease or other Contract or agreement, an enforceable leasehold
interest in, or right to use, all of the tangible properties, rights and assets used by it, located on any of its premises, shown on
the Unaudited Financial Statements or acquired by it after the Balance Sheet Date or as is otherwise necessary for the conduct of its
business, free and clear of any Liens, except for any inventory disposed of in its Ordinary Course of Business since the Balance Sheet
Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(a), none of the Excluded Assets are used in connection with the business of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary.
(b) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.20(b), each such asset is free from material defects (patent and latent), has been maintained in accordance
with normal applicable industry practice, is in good operating condition and repair (except normal wear and tear) and is suitable and
sufficient for the purposes for which it is used.
3.21. No
Brokers. Except with respect to the engagement of William Blair & Company, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has employed or incurred any liability to any broker, finder or agent for any brokerage fees, finder’s fees, commissions or other
amounts with respect to this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or the Contemplated Transactions.
3.22. Agreements
with Company Related Person. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.22, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is, and
for the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement has been, indebted to, or a party to any agreement with,
any Affiliate, Seller, Shareholder, director, officer, manager or employee (or any of their Affiliates) of the Company or such Company
Subsidiary (or in the case of any such Person who is an individual, any member of his or her immediate family) (each, a “Company
Related Person”), other than the Company Employment Contracts, or for compensation for services rendered, reimbursable
business expenses or benefits under the Plans, nor is any Company Related Person indebted to the Company or such Company Subsidiary,
other than for advances made to employees of the Company or such Company Subsidiary in the Ordinary Course of Business to meet reimbursable
business expenses reasonably anticipated to be incurred by such obligor. No Company Related Person currently has, or at any point during
the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement had, any interest in any property (real, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible) used in or pertaining to the Company or any Company Subsidiary, except solely in such Person’s capacity
as a Shareholder, director, officer, manager or employee, as applicable.
45
3.23. FCPA;
Anti-Bribery. The Company and each of Company Subsidiary is, and for the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this
Agreement has been, in compliance with the provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.,
and each other anti-corruption or anti-bribery law binding on any of them (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”).
Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has, and to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective Affiliates, managers,
directors, officers, agents, employees or anyone else acting on the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s behalf have not,
directly or indirectly, paid, offered or promised to pay, or authorized payment of, any monies or any other thing of value to any Government
Official (collectively, a “Proscribed Recipient”) for the purpose of, (a) influencing any act or decision
of such Proscribed Recipient, (b) inducing such Proscribed Recipient to do or omit to do any act in violation of the lawful duty
of such Proscribed Recipient, or to use his, her, or its influence with a Governmental Authority to affect or influence any act or decision
of such Governmental Authority, or (c) assisting in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any Person,
or to secure any other business advantage or regulatory benefit in each case, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws. Nor has either
the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries provided any material support or resources to any entity designated as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization by the Secretary of State of the United States of America.
3.24. Food
Safety and Regulatory Compliance.
(a) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.24:
(i) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, the Company and each Company Subsidiary has operated, and currently operates, in
material compliance with all Food Laws;
(ii) the
Company and each Company Subsidiary holds, and during the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof has held, all Permits required
under all Food Laws for the conduct of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted, including Permits
required by the USDA, and any applicable state or local Governmental Authorities (collectively, “Food Safety Permits”),
and all such Food Safety Permits are in full force and effect;
(iii) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice from
any Governmental Authority that any Food Safety Permit will be revoked, suspended, or materially modified, and to the Knowledge of the
Company, no such revocation, suspension, or material modification is pending or threatened in writing;
(iv) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received, or been subject to,
any Food Law Action. Further, neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is the subject of any current or pending Food Law Action, and,
to the Knowledge of the Company, no Governmental Authority is threatening any Food Law Action;
46
(v) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, no Product has been subject to a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, and
to the Knowledge of the Company, no Governmental Authority has initiated, requested that the Company or any Company Subsidiary initiate,
or threatened in writing any mandatory recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert with respect to any Products;
(vi) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company subsidiary has received or been subject to any
Legal Proceeding relating to, or otherwise involving: (1) an alleged defect in any Product; (2) the failure of any Product
to meet applicable specifications; (3) any misleading or deceptive trade practices or labeling defect; or (4) any allegation
that the Products otherwise violate any Food Laws;
(vii) there
is no Legal Proceeding to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party, whether filed, pending, or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, threatened, relating to, or otherwise involving: (1) an alleged defect in any Product; (2) the failure of any Product
to meet applicable specifications; (3) any misleading or deceptive trade practices or labeling defect; or (4) any allegation
that the Products otherwise violate any Food Laws and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no fact, situation, circumstance, condition,
or other basis for any of the foregoing;
(viii) during
the thirty-six (36) months prior to the date hereof, the Company and each Company Subsidiary has provided all required warnings on or
for the Products in accordance with Prop. 65; further, all Product packaging complies, in all material respects, with: (1) all Food
Laws related to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals and any other alleged toxins in packaging; (2) do not contain
any ingredients or additives prohibited from use in food products under Food Laws; and (3) all Food Laws related to extended producer
responsibility; and
(ix) the
Company and each Company Subsidiary has received all necessary label approvals from USDA to market and sell the Products. Additionally:
(1) all promotional and advertising materials used or produced by the Company and each Company Subsidiary comply in all material
respects with all Food Laws; and (2) all claims on the Products, and all promotional and advertising materials related to the Products,
including claims which appear on the Company’s websites or social media platforms, are substantiated with competent and reliable
evidence and, where required, with applicable certifications in accordance with Food Laws.
3.25. Significant
Customers and Suppliers.
(a) Schedule
3.25(a) contains a list (listing the dollar volume for each) of (i) the top ten (10) customers by dollar volume (“Significant
Customers”) and (ii) the top ten (10) suppliers by dollar volume of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
(or any co-packer or processor for the benefit of the Company or any Company Subsidiary) (“Significant Suppliers”),
in each case, as of and for the twelve (12) month period ended on the most recent Audited Financial Statement date and the six (6) month
period ended on the Balance Sheet Date. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, oral notification that any Significant Customer or Significant Supplier intends to or has threatened to materially reduce,
cancel, terminate or cease doing business with the Company or any Company Subsidiary or to make any material adverse change in its relationship
with the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
47
(b) Schedule
3.25(b) lists all programs of discounts, trade ins, allowances, price concessions, incentive or rebate (including discount,
slotting/intro allowances, bill back price concessions, or volume incentives) utilized by the Company or any Company Subsidiary for any
of the Significant Customers at any point during the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
3.26. Accounts
Receivable. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.26, all accounts and notes receivable of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
reflected in the balance sheet of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of the Balance Sheet Date (a) represent sales actually
made in the Ordinary Course of Business or valid claims as to which full performance has been rendered by the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, as applicable, (b) are current and collectible in accordance with the terms of the respective Contract, and (c) constitute
valid claims of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries not subject to claims of set-off or other defenses or counterclaims other than
normal cash discounts accrued in the Ordinary Course of Business (net of any applicable allowance for doubtful accounts and similar reserves
and adjustments reflected in such balance sheet). Except as is expressly reserved against in the Financial Statements, no account debtor
(x) is delinquent in its payment by more than sixty (60) days, (y) has refused or threatened to refuse to pay its obligations
for any reason, or (z) to the Knowledge of the Company, is insolvent or bankrupt.
3.27. Trade
Sanctions Compliance. During the past three (3) years, neither the Company, the Company Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge
of the Company, any of its officers, directors, agents, or employees, or any other Person acting on behalf of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary: (a) has transacted or dealt with any Person named on, or any Person that is owned fifty percent (50.00%) or more by
a Person named on, (i) the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders List, the Sectoral
Sanctions Identifications List, or other sanctioned entities list administered and maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control
(“OFAC”), (ii) the U.S. Denied Persons List, the U.S. Entity List, the U.S. Military End Users List, or
the U.S. Unverified List administered and maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce, (iii) the consolidated list of Persons
subject to EU Financial Sanctions, as implemented by the EU Common Foreign & Security Policy, or (iv) the HM Treasury Consolidated
List of Financial Sanctions Targets administered and maintained by the United Kingdom (each such Person, a “Restricted Party”);
(b) has transacted or dealt with any Person located, organized, ordinarily resident in, or owned or controlled by a country, territory,
or region, or its applicable Governmental Authority, that is the subject of comprehensive economic or financial sanctions or export restrictions
Laws, requirements, or trade embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced, by an applicable Governmental Authority that broadly prohibit
transacting or dealing with such country, territory, or region, or its applicable Governmental Authority, currently including the Crimea,
Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk People’s Republic, and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Iran,
Afghanistan, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and North Korea (each such territory, a “Restricted Jurisdiction”); (c) has
engaged in any unauthorized importation, exportation, or re-exportation of goods, software or technology that is prohibited under the
Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered
by the U.S. Department of State, or any other applicable export control Laws or trade embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced by
an applicable Governmental Authority; (d) has violated any U.S. anti-boycott requirements; (e) has otherwise given, promised,
offered, received, paid, or authorized the same, anything of value to or from any Person that was, is or would be prohibited under applicable
economic or financial sanctions or import or export restrictions Laws or trade embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced, by an applicable
Governmental Authority, including any Restricted Party or Person in any Restricted Jurisdiction ((a), (b), (c), and (d), collectively,
“Sanctions Laws”); or (f) has received written or unwritten notice, inquiry, or allegation, or has been
party to any voluntary or involuntary disclosures, investigation, or audit, with or from any applicable Governmental Authority with respect
to actual or alleged violation of such Sanctions Laws.
48
3.28. No
Other Representations or Warranties. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN
THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY IN THIS Article III (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES
HERETO), THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER IN Article IV (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES HERETO) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, NONE OF THE COMPANY PARTIES HAS
MADE, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY
SET FORTH IN THIS Article III (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES HERETO), IN Article IV (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES
HERETO), AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, NO
REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY HAS BEEN MADE OR IS BEING MADE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, BY ANY COMPANY PARTY TO BUYER OR
ANY OTHER PERSON, INCLUDING (I) IN RESPECT OF SELLER OR THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THEIR ASSETS, LIABILITIES OR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING
AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR QUALITY, WITH RESPECT TO ANY TANGIBLE ASSETS OR AS TO THE
CONDITION OR WORKMANSHIP THEREOF OR THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFECTS THEREIN, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT (OR ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY
REFERRED TO IN SECTION 2-312 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE OF ANY APPLICABLE JURISDICTION), (II) WITH RESPECT TO ANY
PROJECTIONS, FORECASTS, BUSINESS PLANS, ESTIMATES OR BUDGETS DELIVERED TO OR MADE AVAILABLE TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OR (III) WITH
RESPECT TO ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS MADE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.
49
Article IV
Seller’s Representations and Warranties
Seller represents and warrants
to Buyer as follows:
4.1. Organization
and Power; Authority. Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
State of Wisconsin and has full power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. Other than the Requisite Shareholder Approval, the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been, and the Transaction
Documents to which Seller is a party will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller, and
(assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto and thereto) this Agreement constitutes, and the
Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party will constitute at or prior to the Closing, the legal, valid, and binding
obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its and their terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and other Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity
principles.
4.2. Title.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, Seller owns (of record and beneficially), and has good and valid title to, the Interests,
free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions imposed by applicable securities Laws). At the Closing, Seller will deliver to Buyer
the Interests free and clear of all Liens. Seller has the power and authority to sell and transfer the Interests that are to be sold
to Buyer hereunder. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, Seller is not a party to any voting trust, proxy or other voting agreement
with respect to any of the Equity Securities of the Company or to any agreement relating to the registration, acquisition, issuance,
sale, redemption, transfer or other disposition of the Equity Securities of the Company.
4.3. No
Violation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3 or as may be required to comply with the requirements of the HSR Act, any other
Antitrust Law, this Agreement, or the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, the execution and delivery by Seller of
this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, the compliance with and performance of the terms of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions by Seller
do not, and will not, directly or indirectly, result (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) in any amendment, suspension,
modification, acceleration of rights or obligations under, the imposition of any Lien, violation of or default under, or give rise to
a right of amendment, suspension, modification, acceleration of rights or obligations, termination, cancellation or to impose any Lien
under any provision of (a) the Organizational Documents of the Seller, (b) any Law or Order to which the Seller is subject
or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company are bound, or (c) any Contract or Permit to which the Seller is a party
or by which it or any of the properties or assets of the Seller is bound.
4.4. Governmental
Authorizations and Consents. No Governmental Consents are required to be obtained or made by the Seller in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement or any Transaction Documents to which the Seller is, or is to be, a party or the consummation
by the Seller of the Contemplated Transactions, except for such filings as may be required under the HSR Act or any other applicable
Antitrust Laws and those Governmental Consents listed in Schedule 3.5.
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4.5. Legal
Proceedings. There is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened against or involving Seller which questions
the validity of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or seeks to prohibit, enjoin or otherwise challenge
Seller’s ability to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
4.6. Brokers. Except with respect to the engagement of William Blair & Company, Seller has not engaged any Person who is or may be entitled
to a broker’s commission, finder’s fee, investment banker’s fee or similar payment for arranging the Contemplated Transactions
or introducing the Parties to each other.
4.7. No
Other Representations or Warranties. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN
THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY IN Article III (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES
HERETO), THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER IN THIS Article IV (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES HERETO) AND
THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, NONE OF THE
COMPANY PARTIES HAS MADE, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING,
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN Article III (AS LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES HERETO), IN THIS Article IV (AS
LIMITED BY THE SCHEDULES HERETO) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.
NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY HAS BEEN MADE OR IS BEING MADE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, BY ANY COMPANY PARTY TO BUYER
OR ANY OTHER PERSON (I) IN RESPECT OF SELLER OR THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THEIR ASSETS, LIABILITIES OR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AS
TO MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR QUALITY, WITH RESPECT TO ANY TANGIBLE ASSETS OR AS TO THE CONDITION
OR WORKMANSHIP THEREOF OR THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFECTS THEREIN, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT (OR ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REFERRED
TO IN SECTION 2-312 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE OF ANY APPLICABLE JURISDICTION), (II) WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROJECTIONS,
FORECASTS, BUSINESS PLANS, ESTIMATES OR BUDGETS DELIVERED TO OR MADE AVAILABLE TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OR (III) WITH RESPECT
TO ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS MADE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.
51
Article V
Representations and Warranties of Buyer
Buyer hereby represents and
warrants to Seller and the Company as follows:
5.1. Organization
and Power. Buyer is a corporation, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and
has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, to perform
its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Buyer is not (a) designated on, or is
owned or controlled by any Persons that are designated on, any sanctions-related list, including the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control’s
Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, or (b) located, organized, or resident in any country or territory which
is itself the subject of any applicable economic sanctions. Buyer has the requisite power and authority to own, operate or lease the
properties and assets now owned, operated or leased by it, and to carry on its businesses as currently conducted. Buyer is not a single
purpose entity or a newly formed entity without operating history, and has material ongoing business operations independent of the Contemplated
Transactions. Buyer is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is recognized), under the Laws
of each jurisdiction in which the character of their properties owned, operated or leased, or the nature of its activities, makes such
qualification necessary.
5.2. Authorization
and Enforceability. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party and
the performance by Buyer of the Contemplated Transactions have been duly authorized by Buyer, and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Buyer (including any stockholder vote or approval) are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. This Agreement
is, and each of the Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered at the Closing by Buyer will be at the Closing, duly authorized,
executed and delivered by Buyer, and constitute, or as of the Closing Date will constitute, valid and legally binding agreements of Buyer,
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
5.3. No
Violation. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, the
compliance with and performance of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, and the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will not, assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations, and filings contemplated
by Section 5.4 have been duly obtained and made, (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Organizational Documents
of Buyer, (b) conflict with or violate in any material respect any Law applicable to Buyer or by which Buyer is bound or to which
any of Buyer’s assets or properties are subject, or (c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under,
result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under
any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound or to which
any of its assets is subject. Neither Buyer nor its Affiliates are subject to any Contract that would materially impair or delay Buyer’s
ability to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
52
5.4. Governmental
Authorizations and Consents. No Governmental Consents are required to be obtained or made by Buyer in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement or any Transaction Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party,
or the consummation by Buyer of the Contemplated Transactions, except for such filings as may be required under the HSR Act or any other
applicable Antitrust Laws and those Governmental Consents listed on Schedule 3.5.
5.5. Legal
Proceedings. There is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against or involving Buyer which questions
the validity of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or seeks to prohibit, enjoin or otherwise challenge
Buyer’s ability to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
5.6. Sufficiency
of Funds. Buyer represents and warrants that it has sufficient cash on hand and/or committed financing necessary to enable it to
make payment of the Purchase Price (including any Excess Amount or other additional amounts that may become payable by Buyer under Section 2.5),
enter into and perform the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and consummate
the Contemplated Transactions on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
5.7. Investment
Purpose. Buyer is acquiring the Interests and the Company solely for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for offer
or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof other than in compliance with all applicable Laws, including United States federal,
state and provincial securities Laws. Buyer agrees that no Equity Securities of the Company may be sold, transferred, offered for sale,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities Laws,
except pursuant to an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and such Laws. Buyer is able to bear the economic risk
of holding its investment in the Company for an indefinite period (including total loss of its investment) and has sufficient knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of its investment.
5.8. Solvency.
No transfer of property is being made, and no obligation is being incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions with the
actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of the Company. Assuming that (x) the representations
and warranties of the Company contained in Article III (as limited by the Schedules hereto) are true and correct, and (y) the
satisfaction of the conditions to Buyer’s obligation to complete the Closing set forth in Section 7.3, immediately
after giving effect to the Contemplated Transactions, the Company (a) will be solvent (in that both the fair value of its assets
will not be less than the sum of its debts and that the present fair saleable value of its assets will not be less than the amount required
to pay its probable liabilities on its debts as they become absolute and matured); (b) will have adequate capital and liquidity
with which to engage in its business; and (c) will not have incurred and does not plan to incur debts beyond its ability to pay
as they become absolute and matured and will own property which has a fair saleable value greater than the amounts required to pay its
debts (including a reasonable estimate of the amount of all contingent liabilities).
5.9. No
Brokers. Buyer has no obligation to any Person, directly or indirectly, as a broker, finder or financial advisor for Buyer in connection
with the Contemplated Transactions that would cause Seller or the Company to become liable for payment of any fee or expense with respect
thereto.
53
5.10. No
Inducement or Reliance; Independent Assessment.
(a) Buyer
has not been induced by and has not relied upon any representations, warranties, statements, or other information whether express or
implied, made or provided by the Company Parties, except for the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in
Article III (as limited by the Schedules hereto), the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Article IV
(as limited by the Schedules hereto) and the representations and warranties expressly contained in any Transaction Document, whether
or not any such representations, warranties, statements, or other information were made in writing or orally. Buyer represents and warrants
that no Company Party has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, oral or written, including any implied warranty of
merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding any Company Party
or the Contemplated Transactions except for the representations and warranties expressly given by the Company in Article III
(as limited by the Schedules hereto),the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Article IV (as limited by
the Schedules hereto) and the representations and warranties expressly contained in any Transaction Document, and none of the Company
Parties will have or be subject to any liability to Buyer or any other Person resulting from the distribution to Buyer or its Representatives,
or the use by Buyer or its Representatives, of any information, including publications, any confidential information memorandum or data
room information provided to Buyer or its Representatives, or any other document or information in any form provided to Buyer or its
Representatives in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. Buyer acknowledges that it has inspected and conducted, to its satisfaction,
its own independent investigation of the Company, subject to the representations and warranties made by the Company in Article III
(as limited by the Schedules hereto),the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Article IV (as limited by
the Schedules hereto) and the representations and warranties expressly contained in any Transaction Document. In entering into this Agreement
and making the determination to proceed with the Contemplated Transactions, Buyer has relied on the results of its own independent investigation
and analysis, in addition to the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in Article III (as limited
by the Schedules hereto),the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Article IV (as limited by the Schedules
hereto) and the representations and warranties expressly contained in any Transaction Document.
(b) Except
as expressly set forth in Article III, Article IV (as limited by the Schedules hereto) and in any Transaction
Document, Buyer acknowledges that none of the Company Parties makes, will make or has made any representation or warranty, express or
implied, including as to the prospects of the Company or its businesses or profitability for Buyer, or with respect to any forecasts,
projections or business plans made available to Buyer (or its Affiliates or Representatives) in connection with Buyer’s review
of the Company.
54
Article VI
Covenants
6.1. Conduct
of the Business.
(a) Except
(i) as required by applicable Law, (ii) as required by this Agreement (including the distribution of the Excluded Assets),
(iii) as set forth in Schedule 6.1(a), or (iv) as consented to in writing by Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, delayed or conditioned), during the period from the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing Date and the date this Agreement
is terminated pursuant to Article VIII, (A) the Company shall (and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to) use commercially
reasonable efforts to conduct its business and operations in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (B) the Company will not (and
shall cause each Company Subsidiary to not):
(i) modify
or amend its Organizational Documents;
(ii) issue,
sell, or otherwise permit to become outstanding any Equity Securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any securities convertible
into, or options with respect to, warrants to purchase, or rights to subscribe for, any Equity Securities of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary;
(iii) enter
into any Contract that purports to limit, curtail or restrict the kinds of businesses which it may conduct in any material respect;
(iv) acquire
by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or substantial portion of the assets of, any Person
or other business organization or division thereof
(v) distribute,
divest, sell, assign, license, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of, or encumber, any of the Interests or any asset of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary, other than (A) sales of inventory and Products in the Ordinary Course of Business (B) except for
the distribution of the Excluded Assets to Seller pursuant to Section 6.1(d), and (C) distributions of cash to Seller,
provided that such distributions are completed prior to 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing
Date;
(vi) adopt
a plan or agreement of complete or partial, or otherwise effect any, liquidation, dissolution, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or other reorganization of the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries;
(vii) enter
into, adopt, materially amend or terminate any Plan (or arrangement that would have been a Plan had it been in existence on the date
hereof), Company Employment Contract that provides for a base salary or severance amount, as applicable, of more than Three Hundred Thousand
and 00/100 Dollars ($300,000.00), except (A) to the extent required by Law, or (B) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement
or the terms of any Plan;
(viii) change
its accounting policies or procedures except to the extent required to conform with GAAP;
55
(ix) change
its fiscal year;
(x) settle,
or consent to the settlement of, any material claim, audit or Legal Proceeding that would result in the payment by the Company or any
Company Subsidiary of more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) individually or would result in the imposition of any injunctive
relief against the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(xi) assume
or incur any Indebtedness, except borrowings from banks (or similar financial institutions) necessary to meet ordinary course working
capital requirements and that are made under existing lines of credit or capitalized lease obligations;
(xii) subject
to any Lien any of the Equity Securities, properties or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(xiii) make
(or become legally committed to make) any capital expenditures, except for capital expenditures pursuant to the Capital Plan;
(xiv) other
than with respect to customers in the Ordinary Course of Business and employees as advances of business expenses in the Ordinary Course
of Business, loan or advance any funds to any Person;
(xv) enter
into any Contract that would be a Material Contract if such Contract existed as of the date hereof except for Contracts with customers
and suppliers that are entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business on commercially reasonable terms generally consistent with terms
provided to similarly situated customers and suppliers;
(xvi) amend,
terminate, or otherwise modify any Material Contract, including Material Contracts with customers and suppliers, other than amendments,
terminations, or modifications in the Ordinary Course of Business that are commercially reasonable;
(xvii) materially
delay, decrease, or increase the rate of promotional or marketing expenditures;
(xviii) cancel,
terminate, or modify any insurance Contract;
(xix) with
respect to the Company and each Company Subsidiary (A) fail to file any Income Tax or other material Tax Returns of the Company
that are due on or before the Closing Date, (B) make or change any election in respect of Taxes, (C) amend, modify or otherwise
change any filed Income Tax or other material Tax Return, (D) adopt or request permission of any Governmental Authority to change
any accounting method in respect of Taxes, (E) enter into any closing agreement or voluntary disclosure agreement in respect of
any Taxes, (F) settle any claim or assessment in respect of a material amount of Taxes, (G) surrender or allow to expire any
right to claim a material refund of Taxes, or (H) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any
claim or assessment in respect of Taxes or in respect to any Tax attribute that would give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes;
or
(xx) authorize,
agree, resolve, declare or consent to any of the foregoing.
56
(b) Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall give to Buyer, directly or indirectly, rights to control or direct the operations of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, the Company and each Company Subsidiary shall exercise, consistent
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision of its operations.
(c) Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company from (i) repaying Indebtedness prior to 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the
day immediately prior to the Closing Date or (ii) paying any cash distributions in respect of its outstanding Equity Securities
prior to 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date. At and after 11:59 p.m. Central Time on
the day immediately prior to the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall make any payment on any Indebtedness
or any Transaction Expense or distribute or pay any amounts to Seller or any Affiliate of Seller.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, prior to the Closing, Seller and the Company shall be permitted, without the consent of Buyer,
to cause the Company to distribute the Excluded Assets to Seller, provided that such distribution shall be without recourse, liability
or obligation to the Company and each Company Subsidiary, and Buyer hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) such actions are expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) Buyer shall acquire the Interests subject to the Excluded Assets having been so distributed
or transferred, and (iii) Buyer shall not be entitled to any reduction in, or other adjustment to, the Purchase Price, or any claim
against Seller, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates, in respect of the Excluded Assets or any such distribution or transfer.
6.2. Access
Prior to the Closing. During the period from the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing Date and the date this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Article VIII, the Company shall provide Buyer and its Representatives reasonable access during regular
business hours and upon reasonable prior written notice to all offices, properties, businesses, facilities, operations, and Books and
Records of the Company and each Company Subsidiary as Buyer may reasonably request; provided, that (a) any such access to
the Leased Real Property shall be subject to the rights of the applicable lessors and other tenants, if any, and to the terms and conditions
of the Real Property Leases, (b) Buyer and its Representatives shall take such action as is deemed necessary in the reasonable judgment
of the Company to schedule such access and visits through a designated officer of the Company and in such a way as to avoid unreasonably
disrupting in any material respect the normal business of the Company, (c) the Company shall not be required to take any action
which would, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, constitute a waiver of the attorney-client or other privilege or would compromise
the Company’s confidential information, (d) in no event shall Buyer or any of its Representatives be permitted to conduct
any sampling of any environmental media, including soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, indoor or outdoor air or building material,
and (e) in no event shall such access unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company’s business. For the avoidance
of doubt, the information provided or made available in connection with such access pursuant to this Section 6.2 may be “Confidential
Information” in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement. Effective upon, and only
upon, the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate. Buyer hereby agrees that from the date hereof until the Closing Date
or the earlier termination of the Agreement, it is not authorized to, and shall not (and shall not permit any of its Representatives
or Affiliates to) contact and communicate with the employees, customers, service providers, and suppliers of the Company with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior consultation with and written approval of the Company; provided, however,
that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) communications with customers, service providers or suppliers of the Company
with whom Buyer or its Representatives have a current or prior business relationship if such communication does not relate to the Company,
this Agreement, or the Contemplated Transactions and (ii) solicitations or communications aimed at the general public or a general
category or type of individual, and not specifically at any employee or employees of the Company, to which any employee of the Company
responds.
57
6.3. Efforts
to Consummate; Regulatory Filings.
(a) Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with applicable Law, each of Buyer, Seller, and
the Company shall cooperate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate and reasonable
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things reasonably necessary,
proper, or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Contemplated Transactions (provided
however that neither Buyer nor Seller will be obligated to waive any condition to its obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby), including:
(i) the
satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article VII, the obtaining of all Governmental Consents, and the making
of all applicable filings, registrations or declarations specified in Section 3.5 and Section 4.4 and the taking
of all necessary steps to obtain such Governmental Consents and to make such registrations;
(ii) the
obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals, or waivers from non-governmental Third Parties, including any required consents, approvals,
or waivers under Contracts set forth on Schedule 3.4 and Schedule 4.3; provided, however, that certain consents,
approvals, or waivers thereunder may not be obtained prior to the Closing and Buyer acknowledges and agrees that failure to obtain such
consents, approvals, or waivers as a result of any default, acceleration, or termination, or any Legal Proceeding commenced or threatened
by or on behalf of any Person arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any such consent, approval, or waiver in and of itself,
shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, a breach or default of this Section 6.3(a); and
(iii) the
execution and delivery of any additional instruments reasonably necessary to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to fully carry
out the purposes of this Agreement.
Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Parties agree that nothing in this Section 6.3(a) shall require that Seller or the Company agree
to any obligations or accommodations (financial or otherwise) binding on the Company or Seller in the event the Closing does not occur.
For the avoidance of doubt, so long as Seller and the Company comply with this Section 6.3(a), the failure to obtain any
consent, approval, or waiver pursuant to Section 6.3(a)(ii) shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, a Company
Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate.
58
(b) In
furtherance and not in limitation of Section 6.3(a), each of Buyer and, where applicable, Seller, and the Company undertakes
and agrees to make or cause to be made the registrations, declarations and filings required of such Party under the HSR Act and any other
Antitrust Laws (“Antitrust Filings”) with respect to the Contemplated Transactions as promptly as reasonably
practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in no event later than ten (10) Business Days from the date of this Agreement.
Any filing fees associated therewith shall be paid by Buyer. Each of Buyer and the Company shall (i) subject to applicable Law and
claims of privilege, furnish to the other Party as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any Antitrust Filing
or other filing to be made by the other Party pursuant to any applicable Law in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) respond
as promptly as practicable to any inquiries received from the FTC or the Antitrust Division for additional information or documentation
and to all inquiries and requests received from any state attorney general or other Governmental Authority in connection with such Antitrust
Filings, registrations, declarations and filings or with respect to the Contemplated Transactions, and (iii) not extend any waiting
period under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws or enter into any agreement with the FTC, the Antitrust Division or any other Governmental
Authority not to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, except with the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Buyer agrees to (A) defend
against any action of any Governmental Authority that attempts to enjoin the Contemplated Transactions, and (B) divest or hold separate
any assets, properties, products, product lines, services, businesses, or rights of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, but only
to the extent that those assets are not material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and such
divestiture or holding separate is conditioned upon the Closing. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in no event shall
any Party be required to take any action under this Section 6.3 if there has been entered any injunction or similar Order
(whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that would restrain, prevent, or delay the Closing prior to the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions. Buyer shall not be required to agree to divest or hold separate any of its or its Affiliates’ operations, businesses
or assets.
(c) Each
Party shall (i) promptly notify the other Party of any material communication to that Party from the FTC, the Antitrust Division,
any state attorney general or any other Governmental Authority in respect of any Antitrust Filing, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding
relating to the Contemplated Transactions and, subject to applicable Law, discuss with the other Party (and its counsel) and permit the
other Party (and its counsel) to review in advance, and consider in good faith the other Party’s reasonable comments in connection
with any proposed written communication to any of the foregoing; (ii) not participate or agree to participate in any substantive
meeting, telephone call, or discussion with any Governmental Authority in respect of any Antitrust Filing, investigation or inquiry concerning
this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions unless it consults with the other Party in advance and gives the other Party the opportunity
to attend and participate thereat, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by such Governmental Authority; (iii) subject
to applicable Law and claims of privilege, furnish the other Party promptly with copies of all correspondence, filings, and communications
(and memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between them and their Affiliates and their respective Representatives on the one
hand, and any Governmental Authority or members of their respective staffs on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions; and (iv) act in good faith and reasonably cooperate with the other Party in connection with any Antitrust
Filings, registrations, declarations and filings concerning this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions and in connection with resolving
any investigation or other inquiry of any Governmental Authority under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law with respect to any such
Antitrust Filing registration, declaration or filing or the Contemplated Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer will, on
behalf of itself, Seller and the Company, control and lead all communications, timing and strategy decisions relating to obtaining all
approvals, consents, waivers, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations
from any Governmental Authority or other Person necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
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(d) Buyer
shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and Affiliates not to, acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by
purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of or equity in, or by any other manner, any Person or portion thereof, or otherwise acquire
or agree to acquire any assets, if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to or the consummation of such acquisition, merger,
amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation would reasonably be expected to (i) impose any delay in the obtaining of, or increase
the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders, declarations or approvals of any Governmental Authority necessary to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period, (ii) increase the risk
of any Governmental Authority entering an order prohibiting the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, or (iii) delay the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
(e) Prior
to the Closing, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Company’s Subsidiaries and its and their Representatives to, cooperate, at the Buyer’s expense, as is customary in connection
with the arrangement of Buyer’s financing for the Contemplated Transactions as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer.
Without limiting the Company’s other obligations hereunder, nothing in this Section 6.3(e) will require such cooperation
to the extent that it would: (i) unreasonably disrupt or interfere with the business or operations of the Company or the Company’s
Subsidiaries; (ii) require the Company to pay any fees, incur or reimburse any material out-of-pocket costs or expenses or other
liability (except to the extent such expenses or liabilities advanced by the Buyer), or make any material payment in connection with
any financing; (iii) require the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of its or their Affiliates to enter into any Contract,
or agree to any change or modification of any Contract; or (iv) reasonably be expected to cause any representation, warranty or
covenant in this Agreement to be breached by the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that Buyer’s obligations to consummate the Contemplated Transactions (including the obligation
to pay the Purchase Price) are not subject to, or conditioned upon any equity or debt financing, and any failure to obtain any such financing
shall not relieve Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement or give rise to any right of Buyer to terminate this Agreement.
6.4. Employee
Matters.
(a) For
a period of at least twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, each Company Employee who continues to be employed by the Company
or a Company Subsidiary after the Closing Date shall be entitled to receive at least the same salary or hourly wages and cash incentive
compensation opportunities in the aggregate (excluding equity-based incentive opportunities) that were provided to them immediately prior
to the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Buyer nor the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be obligated to continue
to employ any Company Employee for any specific period of time following the Closing Date, subject to applicable Law or Contract.
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(b) Each
Company Employee shall receive employee benefits (including severance, retirement, welfare and fringe benefits) (other than under a retiree
medical plan, deferred compensation plan, equity compensation plan, or pursuant to any equity compensation awards), that at least are
substantially comparable in the aggregate to those benefits provided by the Company immediately prior to the Closing, or if greater,
those benefits provided to similarly situated employees of Buyer and its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Buyer nor
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall be obligated to continue to employ any Company Employee for any specific period of time
following the Closing Date, subject to applicable Law or Contract.
(c) For
purposes of participation of a Company Employee in a benefit plan of Buyer or its Subsidiaries (including, after the Closing, the Company)
(a “Buyer Benefit Plan”), each Company Employee shall be credited with all years of service for which such
Company Employee was credited before the Closing Date under any comparable Plans, except that the foregoing shall not apply to equity
incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, retiree medical plan or to the extent such credit would result in a duplication
of benefits for the same period of service. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Seller and Buyer shall
reasonably cooperate to ensure, to the extent (i) permitted by Law, and (ii) commercially reasonable, Buyer causes one of its
Subsidiaries (including, after the Closing, the Company) to ensure that: (A) each Company Employee shall be immediately eligible
to participate, without any waiting time, in any and all Buyer Benefit Plans to the extent that coverage under such Buyer Benefit Plans
replaces coverage under comparable Plans in which such Company Employee participated; (B) for purposes of each Buyer Benefit Plan
providing health and welfare benefits to any Company Employee, Buyer shall cause all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work
requirements of such Buyer Benefit Plan to be waived for such Company Employee and his or her covered dependents, and (C) Buyer
shall cause any eligible expenses incurred by such Company Employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan
year of the Plan ending on the date such Company Employee’s participation ends in such Plan to be credited in the corresponding
Buyer Benefit Plan for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such Company
Employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such Buyer
Benefit Plan.
(d) Buyer
shall, or shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, the Company) to (i) credit each of the Company Employees
with an amount of paid vacation and sick leave days following the Closing Date equal to the amount of vacation time and sick leave days
each such Company Employee has accrued but not yet used or cashed out as of the Closing Date under the Company’s vacation and sick
leave policies as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) allow each of the Company Employees to use such accrued
vacation and sick leave days at such times as each would have been allowed under the Company’s vacation and sick leave policies
as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date.
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(e) Buyer
shall be solely responsible for any notices required to be given under the federal Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
or similar Laws or regulations of any state or other jurisdiction, including Georgia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas,
relating to any plant closing or mass layoff (or similar triggering event) (each, a “WARN Act”), and to otherwise
comply with, the WARN Act, resulting from the Company’s or Buyer’s actions with respect to the layoff or termination of employment
of any Company Employees after the Closing Date. Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates for any
WARN Act claims made after the Closing.
(f) This
Section 6.4 will not create any third-party beneficiary rights, nor will it be enforceable by any employee, any Person representing
the interest of employees, or any spouse, dependent, or beneficiary of any employee, nor will anything herein be deemed an amendment
to any employee benefit plan. This Section 6.4 is solely an agreement between and for the benefit of the Parties and will
be enforceable by them. No term of this Agreement will be deemed to create any Contract with any employee or to give any employee the
right to be retained in the employment of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, Buyer) for any period of
time, or to interfere with the Company’s or any of its Affiliate’s (including, after the Closing, Buyer’s) right to
terminate the employment of any employee at any time.
(g) Buyer
agrees that it shall cause Company to pay (i) the Change of Control Payments to such Persons owed a Change of Control Payment in
the Company’s next regularly scheduled payroll following the Closing, and (ii) all Stay Bonuses payable under the Retention
Bonus Agreements to all recipients thereof, on the Company’s next regularly scheduled payroll following the one (1) year anniversary
of the Closing Date, or earlier for a Qualifying Termination that occurs after the Closing, in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the applicable Retention Bonus Agreements. Buyer agrees not to modify or amend the terms of the Stay Bonuses without the prior written
consent of the applicable recipients. For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall be responsible for, and shall cause Company to pay when
due, one hundred percent (100%) of the Stay Bonus amounts payable pursuant to the Retention Bonus Agreements, which amounts shall be
obligations of Buyer and the Company following the Closing and shall not constitute Transaction Expenses, Indebtedness, Closing
Indebtedness, or any other amount for which Seller shall have any obligation or that would otherwise reduce the Purchase Price.
(h) Prior
to the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary to terminate the employment of each Scheduled Employee
in accordance with applicable Laws and the terms of any applicable Plans and Company Employment Contracts. Seller shall be solely responsible
for, and shall cause the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary to pay or otherwise satisfy at or prior to the Closing, all salary,
wages, bonuses, commissions, accrued vacation, severance, benefits and other amounts payable to or on behalf of each Scheduled Employee
in connection with or arising out of such termination, including all related Taxes, in each case as required under applicable Laws, Plans
or Company Employment Contracts. All such amounts shall be included in Transaction Expenses to the extent not already included in Closing
Net Working Capital or another Purchase Price adjustment (and without duplication), and any such amounts that remain unpaid as of 11:59
p.m. Central Time on the day immediately prior to the Closing Date shall constitute Unpaid Transaction Expenses and shall reduce
the Purchase Price on a dollar-for-dollar basis in accordance with Section 2.1(b)(iii). As between the Parties, neither Buyer
nor any of its Affiliates (including, following the Closing, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) shall be obligated to employ any
Scheduled Employee or be responsible for any such amounts or any other liabilities or obligations arising out of or relating to the termination
of any Scheduled Employee. Seller shall deliver to Buyer, at or prior to the Closing, reasonable evidence of the termination of each
Scheduled Employee and the payment or other satisfaction of all such amounts.
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(i) Prior
to the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary to take the actions set forth on Schedule 6.4(i).
6.5. Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
(a) From
and after the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause the Company to continue to fulfill and honor in all respects the exculpation, indemnification
and advancement of expenses obligations of the Company to its pre-Closing directors, managers, officers and employees pursuant to any
indemnification provisions under the Organizational Documents of the Company as in effect on the date of this Agreement (the persons
entitled to be indemnified pursuant to such provisions, and all other current and former directors and officers of the Company, being
referred to collectively as the “D&O Indemnified Parties”). From and after the Closing Date through the
sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause the Company to not amend, repeal or otherwise modify the provisions
of the Company’s Organizational Documents with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation from liability
for the D&O Indemnified Parties in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any D&O Indemnified Party.
(b) Prior
to Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to procure and pay for a directors and officers liability tail insurance policy of the same
level and scope as currently exists under the Company’s policy, which covers the D&O Indemnified Party. Prior to the Closing
Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer reasonable evidence of the continuation as aforesaid of such insurance coverages.
(c) This
Section 6.5 shall survive the Closing Date, is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the D&O Indemnified Parties
and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of Buyer and the Company.
6.6. Preservation
of and Access to Books and Records. For a period of seven (7) years from the Closing Date or such longer time as may be required
by Law, or, with respect to Tax matters, until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any extensions thereof):
(a) Buyer
shall not and shall cause its Affiliates not to dispose of or destroy any of the Books and Records without first offering to turn over
possession thereof to Seller at least ninety (90) days prior to the proposed date of disposition or destruction; and
(b) Buyer
shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice, (i) provide Seller and
its agents with electronic access to any portions of the pre-Closing Books and Records that are available in electronic format, (ii) allow
Seller and its agents access to all other pre-Closing Books and Records on reasonable notice and at reasonable times at Buyer’s
principal place of business or at any location where any pre-Closing Books and Records are stored (including electronically), and permit
Seller and its agents, at Seller’s expense, to make copies of any pre-Closing Books and Records, (iii) make available Buyer’s
or its Affiliates’ personnel to assist in locating such pre-Closing Books and Records and (iv) make available Buyer’s
or its Affiliates’ personnel whose assistance or participation is reasonably required by Seller or any of its Affiliates or Representatives
in anticipation of, or preparation for, existing or future Legal Proceeding, Tax contest, audit, investigation or other matters in which
Seller or any of its Affiliates are involved, subject to Seller reimbursing Buyer for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing
the covenants contained in this Section 6.6(b).
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6.7. Public
Announcements.
(a) The
initial press release regarding this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions shall be made at such time and in such form as Buyer
and Seller agree. Neither Buyer, Seller, the Company, nor any of their respective Affiliates will issue or make, after the Closing, any
press release or public statement with respect to this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions without the prior consent of each of
Buyer or Seller, as applicable, provided, however, the foregoing restrictions shall not restrict or prohibit (i) any disclosures
required by Law or by the applicable rules of any stock exchange to which a Party is subject, or (ii) issuing or making additional
press releases or public statements so long as the information contained in such communications shall have been included within such
mutually agreeable joint press release.
(b) In
the event that any press release, public announcement, disclosure, availability, or filing is proposed to be made pursuant to this Section 6.7,
including as required by applicable Law or by the applicable rules of any stock exchange to which a Party is subject, the Party
obligated to make such disclosure agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to consult in good faith with the other Party prior
to making such disclosure if allowed by applicable Law.
6.8. Tax
Matters.
(a) Responsibility
for Filing Tax Returns.
(i) Seller
shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, (i) any combined Tax Returns that include Seller and (ii) all Tax
Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to any tax period ending on or
before the Closing Date. Any such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice (unless otherwise required by
applicable Law) and the terms of this Agreement and shall be submitted by Seller to Buyer (together with schedules and statements) at
least thirty (30) days prior to the due date (including extensions) of such Tax Return for review and comment and shall consider in good
faith any revisions reasonably requested in writing by Buyer.
(ii) Buyer
shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Straddle Period Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to
the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Any such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice (unless otherwise
required by applicable Law) and the terms of this Agreement and shall be submitted by Buyer to Seller (together with schedules, statements
and, to the extent requested by Buyer, supporting documentation) at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date (including extensions)
of such Tax Return for review and comment (unless such Buyer Tax Return is due within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date, in which
case it will be delivered within a reasonable period of time) and shall consider in good faith any revisions reasonably requested in
writing by Seller.
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(b) Cooperation.
Seller, Buyer and the Company shall reasonably cooperate, with respect to all matters relating to Taxes, including in connection with
preparing and filing all Pre-Closing Tax Period Tax Returns and making all calculations required pursuant to this Section 6.8(b),
including the furnishing, maintaining and making available all records, personnel (as reasonably required), books of account, powers
of attorney, or other materials necessary or helpful in connection with Taxes, the preparation of such Pre-Closing Tax Period Tax Returns,
and in resolving all disputes and audits with respect to all taxable periods relating to Taxes.
(c) Pre-Closing
Tax Returns. After the Closing, without the prior written consent of Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed), Buyer shall not permit the Company to re-file, amend or otherwise modify any Tax Return relating to a Pre-Closing Tax Period
or take any action with respect to any pass-through Tax Return of the Company for the Pre-Closing Tax Period.
(d) Success-Based
Fees. At the discretion of Seller, the Parties shall apply the safe harbor election set forth in IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-29 to
determine the amount of any success-based fees incurred by Seller in connection with or incident to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(e) Intended
Tax Treatment. The Parties agree, for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, to report the Contemplated Transactions as follows: (i) the
Restructuring, including the formation of Seller, the formation of MergeCo, the subsequent merger of MergeCo with and into Brakebush
Brothers, Inc., the S-corporation election and the QSub election, together, as constituting a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of
the Code and consistent with IRS Revenue Ruling 2008-18; (ii) the Conversion as having no U.S. federal income Tax effect (other
than converting the Company from a “qualified subchapter S subsidiary” into an entity disregarded as an entity separate from
its owner within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii)); and (iii) the purchase of the Interests
as a taxable sale and purchase of the assets of the Company (collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”). For
purposes of determining the Income Tax consequences of the Contemplated Transactions, the final Purchase Price (plus assumed liabilities
and all other items required to be included in the purchase price as determined for federal Income Tax purposes and as adjusted pursuant
to this Agreement) shall be allocated among the assets of the Company in accordance with the methodology set forth on Exhibit B
and in a manner consistent with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and such allocation shall be prepared
by Buyer and delivered to Seller within 60 days after the final determination of the Final Purchase Price (the “Proposed
Allocation Schedule”). During the thirty (30) days immediately following Seller’s receipt of the Proposed Allocation
Schedule, Seller shall have reasonable access, as reasonably requested by Seller on prior written notice and during normal business hours,
to the Books and Records of the Company, the personnel of, and work papers prepared by, Buyer and/or its Affiliates and their Representatives
to the extent that they relate to the Proposed Allocation Schedule and to such historical financial information (to the extent in Buyer’s
possession) relating to the Proposed Allocation Schedule as Seller may reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing the Proposed Allocation
Schedule; provided, that such access shall be in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the normal business operations
of Buyer or the Company. If within 30 days after receipt of the Proposed Allocation Schedule Seller notifies Buyer in writing that it
objects to the Proposed Allocation Schedule, Buyer and Seller will negotiate in good faith to resolve such dispute. If Buyer and Seller
fail to resolve such dispute within 30 days, the Independent Accountant (as defined in Section 2.4(d) of this Agreement)
shall determine whether the allocation was reasonable and, if not reasonable, shall appropriately revise the Proposed Allocation Schedule.
The provisions of Section 2.4(d) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the payment of the fees and expenses of
the Independent Accountant under this Section 6.8. If Seller does not respond within 30 days, or upon resolution of the disputed
items, the allocation reflected on the Proposed Allocation Schedule (as such may have been adjusted) shall be the “Allocation
Schedule” and shall be binding on the Parties hereto. None of the Parties shall, or shall permit any Affiliate to, take
a position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment or the Allocation Schedule without the consent of the
other or unless otherwise required pursuant to a final “determination” by an applicable Governmental Authority within the
meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any comparable provision of state or local Law); provided, that no Party
(nor any Party’s Affiliates) shall be obligated to litigate any challenge to the Allocation Schedule or the Intended Tax Treatment
by any Governmental Authority. The Parties shall promptly advise one another of any challenge by any Governmental Authority to the Allocation
Schedule or the Intended Tax Treatment.
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(f) Transfer
Taxes. Seller and Buyer shall each pay, and shall indemnify and hold the other Party harmless for, one-half of all Transfer Taxes
arising as a result of the Contemplated Transactions, and shall prepare and timely file all Tax Returns or other documentation required
to be filed with respect to such Transfer Taxes. Buyer and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to claim any available exemption
from such Taxes and to reasonably cooperate with the other Party to obtain such exemption.
(g) Straddle
Periods. In the case of any Straddle Period, (a) Taxes and Tax items that are not measured by or based on income or gross receipts
(including real and personal ad valorem Taxes and other similar Taxes), shall be apportioned between the portion of such Straddle Period
ending on the Closing Date and the portion of such Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date on a daily pro rata basis, and (b) all
other Taxes and Tax items shall be apportioned between the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and the portion
of such Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date on a closing of the books basis.
(h) Tax
Sharing Agreements. Seller shall cause all Tax sharing agreements involving any of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the
one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand, to terminate as of the Closing Date, and shall ensure that such agreements are of
no further force and effect as to the Company on and after the Closing Date and that there shall be no present or future liabilities
or obligations imposed on the Company under any such agreements.
6.9. Title
Commitments; Surveys.
(a) Title
Commitments. Seller shall, at Seller’s cost and expense, promptly obtain and deliver to Buyer ALTA title commitments
to insure fee simple title to the Owned Real Property, issued by First American Title Insurance Company (the “Title Commitments”).
If Buyer elects to obtain an ALTA owner’s title insurance policy with respect to the Owned Real Property, Seller shall reasonably
cooperate with Buyer in connection therewith, including by providing the applicable title insurance company with customary affidavits
(including a customary non-imputation affidavit) and other documentation reasonably requested by such title insurance company, so that
fee simple title to the Owned Real Property may be insured subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens or Liens acceptable to Buyer.
For the avoidance of doubt, Seller shall be obligated to remove any Lien of a fixed and ascertainable amount against the Owned Real Property
capable of removal by the payment of money or bonding that is not a Permitted Lien.
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(b) Surveys.
Seller shall reasonably cooperate with Buyer in connection with Buyer’s efforts to obtain current ALTA surveys of the Owned Real
Property, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer (the “Surveys”). If Buyer elects to
obtain Surveys, such Surveys shall be obtained at Buyer’s sole cost and expense. In connection with the foregoing, Seller
shall provide Buyer and its representatives with access to the Owned Real Property at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice,
in a manner not inconsistent with the other provisions of this Agreement.
6.10. Change
of Name. Within five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates and Subsidiaries
to, (a) file with the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization (and each other jurisdiction in which it is qualified
to do business or has registered any assumed, trade, fictitious or “d/b/a” name) all documents necessary to change its legal
name, and any such assumed, trade, fictitious or “d/b/a” name, to a name that does not include the name “Brakebush,”
or any word, name, mark or logo that is identical or confusingly similar to, or a derivative, translation, transliteration, misspelling
or abbreviation of, “Brakebush”, and (b) promptly thereafter, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days
after the Closing Date, deliver to Buyer written evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, of each such filing (including a copy of
each filed document bearing evidence of acceptance by the applicable Governmental Authority).
6.11. No
Shop. Throughout the period that begins on the date hereof and ends upon the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.4, Seller will not, and Seller will cause the Company, each Company Subsidiary, and each Affiliate
and Representative of Seller, the Company and each Company Subsidiary to not, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate, seek or encourage
any inquiry, proposal or offer from, furnish any information to or participate in any discussion or negotiation with any Person (other
than Buyer or any Person on Buyer’s behalf) regarding any acquisition of the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s
equity interests, assets or business, in whole or in part (by purchase, merger, tender offer, statutory share exchange, joint venture
or otherwise), except sales of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business. Seller will, and Seller will cause the Company, each Company
Subsidiary, and each Affiliate and Representative of Seller, the Company and each Company Subsidiary to, immediately (i) terminate
all such discussions or negotiations that may be in progress on the date hereof, (ii) terminate access to the “Project CENTURY”
electronic data room hosted by William Blair & Company for all persons other than Buyer and its Representatives, (iii) except
for Buyer and its Representatives, demand the immediate return or destruction of all confidential information shared by or on behalf
of Seller, the Company, or any Company Subsidiary in connection with any acquisition of the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s
equity interests, assets or business, in whole or in part (by purchase, merger, tender offer, statutory share exchange, joint venture
or otherwise).
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6.12. Shareholder
Support Agreement; Shareholder Approval.
(a) Shareholder
Support Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Seller shall cause the Shareholder Support
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by Seller and Shareholders holding at least eighty percent (80%) of the issued and outstanding
voting shares of Seller, and Buyer shall cause the Shareholder Support Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by Buyer.
(b) Shareholder
Approval. Seller shall prepare an information statement for the Shareholders describing this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions
for the purpose of soliciting the Requisite Shareholder Approval (such information statement, together with any amendments or supplements
thereto, the “Information Statement”). No later than five Business Days after the date of this Agreement, Seller
shall mail or otherwise provide to the Shareholders (i) the Information Statement and (ii) any information required by the
Wisconsin Business Corporation Law in connection with the Requisite Shareholder Approval. Seller shall duly call and hold a meeting of
the Shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the Requisite Shareholder Approval (or, alternatively, shall use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the Requisite Shareholder Approval by written consent in lieu of a meeting in accordance with the Wisconsin Business Corporation
Law and Seller’s Organizational Documents) as soon as practicable; provided, that such meeting shall not be held earlier
than twenty (20) days after the mailing of the meeting notice to the Shareholders, as required by the Wisconsin Business Corporation
Law.
6.13. Transfer
of Excluded Assets. Prior to the Closing, the Company and its Affiliates shall distribute, transfer, convey, assign, and deliver
to Seller or its designee all of the Excluded Assets. For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution or transfer of the Excluded Assets
pursuant to this Section 6.13 is expressly contemplated by this Agreement and shall not constitute a breach or violation
of any covenant or agreement of the Company or Seller hereunder, including Section 6.1.
Article VII
Conditions to Closing
7.1. Conditions
to All Parties’ Obligations. The respective obligations of the Parties to consummate the Contemplated Transactions are subject
to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may, if permitted by applicable Law, be waived by the Parties
in writing) as of the Closing Date:
(a) No
Injunction. No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) in any case which is in effect and which prevents, restrains, enjoins, or
prohibits consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and no Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have instituted
or initiated any Legal Proceeding to prevent, restrain, enjoin, prohibit, or otherwise challenge the legality or validity of the Contemplated
Transactions that has not been dismissed or otherwise resolved in a manner that does not adversely affect the Contemplated Transactions.
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(b) Regulatory
Approvals. Any applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws
with respect to the Contemplated Transactions shall have expired or been terminated.
(c) Requisite
Shareholder Approval. The Requisite Shareholder Approval shall have been validly obtained under Wisconsin Law and Seller’s
Organizational Documents.
7.2. Conditions
to Seller’s Obligation. The obligation of Seller and the Company to consummate the Contemplated Transactions is subject to
the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may, if permitted by applicable Law, be waived in whole or
in part by Seller in writing) as of the Closing Date:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Buyer made in Article V shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the Closing Date, as though made on such date (except for those representations and warranties which refer to facts existing
at a specific date, which shall be so true and correct as of such date).
(b) Performance.
Buyer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be so
performed or complied with by Buyer at or prior to the Closing.
(c) Officer’s
Certificate. Seller shall have received an officer’s certificate signed by an authorized signatory of Buyer to the effect that
the conditions set forth in Sections 7.2(a) and 7.2(b) have been satisfied.
(d) Escrow
Agreement. Buyer and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement.
7.3. Conditions
to Buyer’s Obligation(a) . The obligation of Buyer to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may
be waived in whole or in part by Buyer in writing) as of the Closing Date:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company and Seller made (i) in Article III and in Article IV
(other than the Fundamental Representations) shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to any “material”,
“materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” qualification contained in such representations and warranties,
other than with respect to Section 3.8(i)), as though made on such date (except for those representations and warranties
which refer to facts existing at a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such date) except where the failure of any such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (ii) in the Fundamental Representations (other than Section 3.3 (Capitalization
of the Company)) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, as though made on such date (except for those
representations and warranties which refer to facts existing at a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of such date), and (iii) in Section 3.3 (Capitalization of the Company) shall be true and correct in all respects
(other than any failure to be so true and correct that is de minimis) as of the Closing Date, as though made on such date (except for
those representations and warranties which refer to facts existing at a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of such date).
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(b) Performance.
Seller and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Seller or the Company at or prior to the Closing.
(c) Company
Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter,
occurrence, or state of facts shall have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, has had a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Officer’s
Certificate. Buyer shall have received an officer’s certificate signed by an officer of Seller to the effect that the conditions
set forth in Sections 7.3(a), 7.3(b), and 7.3(c) have been satisfied.
(e) Membership
Interest Assignment. Buyer shall have received a duly executed membership interest assignment agreement, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer, effecting the transfer of the Interests from Seller to Buyer.
(f) Escrow
Agreement. Seller and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement.
(g) FIRPTA
Certificate. Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly completed and executed W-9 from Seller.
(h) Pay-Off
Letters for Discharged Indebtedness; Lien Releases. Buyer shall have received duly executed pay-off letters (the “Pay-Off
Letters”) in a form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer evidencing the amount necessary to pay off in full all Discharged
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries and effectuate the release of all Liens relating thereto.
(i) Good
Standing Certificate. Buyer shall have received a good standing certificate (or similar equivalent in any jurisdiction) with respect
to the Company from the Delaware Secretary of State dated not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
(j) Resignations.
With respect to the Company and each Company Subsidiary, Buyer shall have received resignation letters, effective as of the Closing Date,
of all managers and directors and of those officers requested by Buyer at least five Business Days before the Closing Date.
(k) Termination
of Affiliate Contracts. Buyer shall have received evidence in a form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer evidencing that all Contracts
between the Company or any Company Subsidiary and the Brakebush Family Foundation have been terminated and all liabilities and obligations
between them have been released.
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(l) Other
Deliveries. Seller and the Company shall have delivered (or caused to be delivered) to Buyer each of the other items contemplated
to be so delivered by this Agreement.
7.4. Frustration
of Closing Conditions. None of the Company, the Seller or Buyer may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 7.1,
Section 7.2 or Section 7.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s
failure to use its reasonable best efforts to comply with any provision of this Agreement.
Article VIII
Survival; R&W Insurance Policy; Termination
8.1. No
Survival; Exclusive Remedy. None of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the Company and/or Seller set
forth in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered by the Company or Seller pursuant to this Agreement shall
survive the Closing, other than each covenant and agreement of the Company or Seller in this Agreement or certificate delivered by
the Company or Seller pursuant to this Agreement that by its terms is to be performed or complied with, in whole or in part,
following the Closing, and such covenants and agreements shall survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect in accordance
with their respective terms for 90 days following the date upon which such covenants, obligations and agreements are satisfied in
accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding any other term or provision of this Agreement, none of the Company, the Seller, any of
their Affiliates, or any direct or indirect past, present, or future shareholder, stockholder, equityholder, option holder, owner,
fiduciary, member, manager, trustee, beneficiary, director, officer, partner, principal, parent entity, employee or partner of the
Company, Seller or Affiliates, shall have any liability with respect to any breach
of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or in any certificate, or instrument delivered by the Company or
Seller pursuant to this Agreement (even if the R&W Insurance Policy does not cover Buyer’s liability claim, and/or the
insurer under the R&W Insurance Policy rejects Buyer’s liability claims for recovery under such R&W Insurance Policy); provided
that, the foregoing in this sentence shall not limit any liability for Fraud by the Company or Seller. For the avoidance of doubt,
nothing in this Section 8.1 is intended to, and shall in no way, limit or otherwise modify the survival periods contained in
the R&W Insurance Policy. Nothing in this Agreement shall, or shall be deemed to, (a) limit or waive any right of the
Parties hereto to bring any claim or action based on Fraud against any Person under applicable Law or constitute an admission by any
Party that any element of a claim for Fraud cannot be established against any Person under applicable Law or (b) limit the
recourse of Buyer or its Affiliates against the insurers or underwriters under the R&W Insurance Policy.
8.2. R&W
Insurance Policy. The Buyer shall ensure that the R&W Insurance Policy states that the insurer has no subrogation rights
against the Company and/or Seller, and will not pursue any claim or recourse against the Company and/or Seller, except in the case
of Fraud by the Company and/or Seller. Following the date of this Agreement, Buyer shall ensure that the R&W Insurance Policy
will not be amended, modified, or otherwise changed, terminated, or waived regarding subrogation rights against the Company and/or
Seller, nor in any manner adverse to the Company and/or Seller or in any manner that would provide any ability or right to the
insurer of the R&W Insurance Policy to bring a claim against, or otherwise seek recourse from, any of the Company and/or Seller
without Seller’s prior written consent (which may be withheld for any or no reason in the sole discretion of Seller) except
for Fraud by the Company and/or Seller. Buyer shall bear underwriting fees, premiums, and taxes incurred in connection with the
issuance of the R&W Insurance Policy. Notwithstanding any contrary term or condition of this Agreement, the Parties agree that
the sole and exclusive remedy for any claims for any inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty by the Company and/or
Seller in this Agreement will be to recover from the R&W Insurance Policy, except in the case of Fraud by the Company and/or
Seller and that the Seller, and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, and equityholders shall be third-party
beneficiaries of such no subrogation provisions. Buyer, on behalf of itself and its equity owners, directors, managers, officers,
employees, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates, covenants not to sue and agrees not to bring any actions or proceedings, at law, equity, or
otherwise, against the Company and/or Seller or any of their respective directors, managers, officers, employees, Subsidiaries or
Affiliates arising out of, concerning, or relating to any breach or alleged breach of a representation or warranty or pre-Closing
covenant or agreement of the Company and/or Seller in this Agreement, or any certificate or instrument.
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8.3. No
Reliance. Except for the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in Article III (and Schedules
hereto), the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Article IV (and the Schedules hereto), and the representations
and warranties of the Company or Seller in any other Transaction Document, Buyer acknowledges and agrees none of the Company, Seller,
nor any other Person has made any, and Buyer is not relying on and will not rely on (and neither the Company nor Seller nor any Company
Related Person will have any liability or obligation whatsoever, whether under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, with respect to)
any, statement, representation or warranty, express or implied, oral or written, regarding the Company, its business, the Contemplated
Transactions, the probable success or profitability of the Company or its business, or the accuracy or completeness of any information
provided to the Buyer or its Representatives in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, including any such statements or information
furnished to Buyer or its Representatives in any confidential information memorandum, management presentation, data room, or due diligence
inquiry response.
8.4. Termination
Prior to Closing.
This Agreement may be terminated
prior to the Closing as follows:
(a) By
the mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer.
(b) By
Buyer at any time prior to the Closing, if (i) the Company and/or Seller is in material breach of any of the representations, warranties,
covenants, or agreements made by it in this Agreement, (ii) such breach is not cured or capable of being cured by the earlier of
the day prior to the Termination Date and thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from Buyer (to the extent such breach
is curable) and (iii) such breach, if not cured, would render the conditions set forth in Section 7.3 incapable of being
satisfied by the Termination Date; provided, however, that Buyer shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 8.4(b) if Buyer has breached this Agreement and such breach has resulted in the failure of a condition
in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 to be satisfied by the Termination Date.
(c) By
Seller at any time prior to the Closing, if (i) Buyer is in material breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants
or agreements made by it in this Agreement, (ii) such breach is not cured or capable of being cured by the earlier of the day prior
to the Termination Date and thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from the Company (to the extent such breach is curable)
and (iii) such breach, if not cured, would render the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 incapable of being satisfied
by the Termination Date; provided, however, that Seller shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.4(c) if
Seller has breached this Agreement and such breach has resulted in the failure of a condition in Sections 7.1 and 7.3 to
be satisfied by the Termination Date.
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(d) By
Seller or Buyer if the Closing shall not have occurred by March 29, 2027 (the “Termination Date”); provided,
however, that (i) Seller shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.4(d) if
Seller or the Company has breached this Agreement and such breach has resulted in the failure of a condition in Sections 7.1 and
7.3 to be satisfied by the Termination Date, and (ii) Buyer shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 8.4(d) if Buyer has breached this Agreement and such breach has resulted in the failure of a condition
in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 to be satisfied by the Termination Date. If, as of the Termination Date, all of the conditions
to Closing set forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 have been satisfied or waived other than those conditions relating
to the receipt of regulatory approvals or the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or any other
Antitrust Laws, the Termination Date shall automatically be extended for an additional three (3) months.
(e) By
Seller or Buyer if (i) the Contemplated Transactions shall violate any Order that shall have become final and nonappealable or (ii) there
shall be a Law which makes the Contemplated Transactions illegal or otherwise prohibited; provided, however, that the Party seeking
termination pursuant to this Section 8.4(e) is not then in material breach of this Agreement.
8.5. Effect
of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.4, written notice thereof shall
be given by the terminating Party to the other Parties and all rights, obligations and remedies of the Parties under this Agreement will
terminate, except that the rights, obligations and remedies of the Parties in this Section 8.5 and Article IX
and in the Confidentiality Agreement will survive; provided, that, no such termination shall relieve a defaulting or breaching
Party from any liability or damages arising out of its material breach of any provision of this Agreement prior to such termination.
Article IX
Miscellaneous
9.1. Expenses.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions shall
be paid by the Party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Contemplated Transactions are consummated.
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9.2. Notices.
All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made (a) as of the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) on the date the delivering Party receives an affirmative confirmation
during normal business hours (and if not, the next Business Day) from the Party or the attorney for the Party to whom notice was intended,
if delivered by email (provided that a copy is also sent via the method described in clause (d) on the following Business Day unless
the receiving Party or its attorney affirmatively confirms receipt prior to such mailing), (c) three (3) Business Days after
being mailed by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or (d) one (1) Business Day after
being sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery), to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for
a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.2):
If to Seller or the Company (prior to
the Closing):
Brakebush Holdings, Inc. / Brakebush
Brothers, LLC
N9181 County Rd CX
Portage, WI 53901
Attention: Carey Brakebush
Email: careybrakebush@gmail.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
One South Pinckney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Attention: Porter J. Martin; Hamang
B. Patel
Email: pjmartin@michaelbest.com; hbpatel@michaelbest.com
If to Buyer or the Company (following
the Closing):
Hormel Foods Corporation
One Hormel Place
Austin, MN 55912
Attention: Nathan Annis, Vice President
Corporate Development
Email: legal_contracts_team@hormel.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901
Attention: Michael A. Stanchfield
Email: mike.stanchfield@faegredrinker.com
9.3. Governing
Law. All matters relating to the interpretation, construction, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, including all disputes
(whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement
or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (including any claim or cause
of action based upon, arising out of, or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as
an inducement to enter into this Agreement), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Laws of the State of
Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
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9.4. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto, the Schedules hereto, the Transaction Documents, and the Confidentiality
Agreement, constitute the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior contracts or
agreements, whether oral or written. This Agreement includes the recitals to this Agreement which are integral to this Agreement and
are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference.
9.5. Severability.
Should any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance be held invalid or unenforceable to any
extent: (a) such provision shall be ineffective to the extent, and only to the extent, of such unenforceability or prohibition and
shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by Law, (b) such unenforceability or prohibition in any jurisdiction shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision as applied (i) to other Persons or circumstances or (ii) in any other jurisdiction,
and (c) such unenforceability or prohibition shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of this Agreement.
9.6. Amendment.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the terms hereof may be terminated, amended, supplemented or modified orally, except by an instrument
in writing signed by the Parties hereto; provided that the observance of any provision of this Agreement may be waived in writing
by the Party that will lose the benefit of such provision as a result of such waiver.
9.7. Effect
of Waiver or Consent. No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any Party to or of any breach or default by any Party in
the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other
breach or default in the performance by such Party of the same or any other obligations of such Party hereunder. No single or partial
exercise of any right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any right or power, shall preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any
Party or to declare any Party in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such Party
of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitation period has run.
9.8. Parties
in Interest; Limitation on Rights of Others; No Recourse Against Nonparty Affiliates.
(a) The
terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto and their respective legal representatives,
successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any Person
(other than the Parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns and as expressly provided
herein) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any covenants, conditions or provisions
contained herein, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise; provided, that (i) Seller shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to enforce any rights of the Company and/or Seller under this Agreement prior to Closing (including the right of Seller to
pursue damages in the event of Buyer’s breach of this Agreement), (ii) the Persons released pursuant to Section 9.16
shall have the right to enforce their respective rights under Section 9.16, (iii) from and after the Closing, the D&O
Indemnified Parties and Michael Best shall be third party beneficiaries of the provisions of Section 6.5 and Section 9.19,
respectively, with the right to pursue claims for damages and other relief (including specific performance or other equitable relief)
in the event of any breach thereof, and (iv) from and after the Closing, the Seller, and their respective Affiliates, directors,
officers, and equityholders shall be third party beneficiaries of the same no subrogation provisions referenced in Section 8.2.
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Claims, obligations, liabilities, or causes of
action (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) that may be based upon, in respect of, arise under,
out or by reason of, be connected with, or relate in any manner to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this
Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to, this Agreement), may be made
only against (and are those solely of) the Entities that are expressly identified as parties in the preamble to this Agreement (“Contracting
Parties”). Except as provided under this Agreement or the Transaction Documents , no Person who is not a Contracting Party,
including any director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, manager, unitholder, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney,
or representative of, and any financial advisor or lender to, any Contracting Party, or any director, officer, employee, incorporator,
member, partner, manager, unitholder, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, or representative of, and any financial advisor or lender
to, any of the foregoing (“Nonparty Affiliates”), shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort,
in law or in equity, or granted by statute) for any claims, causes of action, obligations, or liabilities arising under, out of, in connection
with, or related in any manner to this Agreement or based on, in respect of, or by reason of this Agreement or its negotiation, execution,
performance, or breach; and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases all such liabilities,
claims, causes of action, and obligations against any such Nonparty Affiliates. Without limiting the foregoing, except as provided under
this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, to the maximum extent permitted by law, (a) each Contracting Party hereby waives and
releases any and all rights, claims, demands, or causes of action that may otherwise be available at law or in equity, or granted by
statute, to avoid or disregard the entity form of a Contracting Party or otherwise impose liability of a Contracting Party on any Nonparty
Affiliate, whether granted by statute or based on theories of equity, agency, control, instrumentality, alter ego, domination, sham,
single business enterprise, piercing the veil, unfairness, undercapitalization, or otherwise and (b) each Contracting Party disclaims
any reliance upon any Nonparty Affiliates with respect to the performance of this Agreement or any representation or warranty made in,
in connection with, or as an inducement to this Agreement.
9.9. Assignability.
No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any Party, directly or indirectly (by operation
of Law or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto and any attempted assignment without the required
consents shall be void; provided that, Buyer may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior consent of Seller or the Company, directly or indirectly, to any Affiliate of Buyer if such Affiliate (i) assumes in writing
all of Buyer’s obligations hereunder, (ii) has the financial capacity to perform such obligations, and (iii) is reasonably
acceptable to Seller, provided further that, any such assignment by Buyer will not relieve Buyer of its obligations hereunder.
9.10. Disclosure
Schedules. For the purposes of this Agreement, any information or matter disclosed in the Schedules referenced in Article III
or Article IV shall be deemed to have been disclosed with respect to any section of this Agreement to the extent the it is
reasonably apparent on the face of such information that such information applies to such other section of this Agreement. No reference
to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV shall be
construed as an admission or indication that such item or other matter is material (nor shall it establish a standard of materiality
for any purpose whatsoever) or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in such Schedules. The information
set forth in the Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV is disclosed solely for the purposes of this
Agreement, and no information set forth therein shall be deemed to be an admission by any Party hereto to any Third Party of any matter
whatsoever, including any violation of Law or breach of any Contract. The Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV
and the information and disclosures contained therein are intended only to qualify and limit the representations, warranties and covenants
of the Company and Seller contained in this Agreement. Nothing in the Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV
shall be deemed to broaden the scope of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or create any covenant. Matters reflected
in the Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV are not necessarily limited to matters required by the
Agreement to be reflected in the Schedules referenced in Article III or Article IV. Such additional matters are
set forth for informational purposes and do not necessarily include other matters of a similar nature.
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9.11. Jurisdiction;
Court Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial. Any Legal Proceeding involving any Party to this Agreement arising out of or in any
way relating to this Agreement, including all disputes (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) that
may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, shall be brought exclusively in the state and federal courts located in Madison, Wisconsin (together with the applicable
appellate courts thereof, the “Chosen Courts”) and each of the Parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the Chosen Courts for the purpose of any such Legal Proceeding. Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees not to assert (a) any
objection which it may ever have to the laying of venue of any such Legal Proceeding in any Chosen Court, (b) any claim that any
such Legal Proceeding brought in any Chosen Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (c) any claim that any Chosen Court
does not have jurisdiction with respect to such Legal Proceeding. To the extent that service of process by mail is permitted by applicable
Law, each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process in any such Legal Proceeding in such courts by the mailing of such process
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, at its address for notices provided for herein. Each Party hereby waives to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any Legal Proceeding directly or indirectly
arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or
thereby. Each Party hereto (i) certifies that no other Party or any of its Representatives has represented, expressly or otherwise,
that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it
and the other Parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby, as applicable, by,
among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 9.11.
9.12. No
Other Duties. The only duties and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement are as specifically set forth in this Agreement,
and no other duties or obligations shall be implied in fact, law or equity, or under any principle of fiduciary obligation.
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9.13. Reliance
on Counsel and Other Advisors. Each Party has consulted such legal, financial, technical or other expert as it deems necessary or
desirable before entering into this Agreement. Each Party represents and warrants that it has read, knows, understands and agrees with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
9.14. Remedies.
All remedies, either under this Agreement or by Law or otherwise afforded to the Parties hereunder, shall be cumulative and not alternative,
and any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover
damages by reason of any breach of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by Law, equity or otherwise.
9.15. Specific
Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, subject to the limitations set forth
in this Section 9.15, the Parties agree that, in addition to any other remedies, each Party shall be entitled to seek to
enforce the terms of this Agreement (including Buyer’s obligation to consummate the Closing and pay the Purchase Price) by a decree
of specific performance without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy. Each Party hereby waives any requirement
for the securing or posting of any bond or other security in connection with such remedy. To the extent Buyer, the Company, or Seller
brings any Legal Proceeding, claim, complaint or other proceeding, in each case, before any Governmental Authority to enforce specifically
the performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement prior to the Closing, the Termination Date shall automatically be extended
by (i) the amount of time during which such Legal Proceeding, claim, complaint or other proceeding is pending, plus twenty
(20) Business Days, or (ii) such other time period established by the court presiding over such Legal Proceeding, claim, complaint
or other proceeding.
9.16. Mutual
Release.
(a) Effective as of
the Closing and to the extent permitted by Law, Seller, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries), equityholders, managers, officers, directors, Representatives, and Affiliates and each of their successors
and assigns, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company, each Company Subsidiary and each Affiliate
of the Company and each Company Subsidiary and each of the foregoing Person’s former, current and future equityholders, controlling
persons, Representatives, directors, officers, managers, employees, agents, or assignees (or any former, current or future equityholder,
controlling person, director, officer, employee, agent, representative, member, manager, general or limited partner, or assignee of any
of the foregoing) from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, executions, judgments, duties, debts, dues, accounts,
bonds, contracts and covenants (whether express or implied), obligations, liabilities, claims and demands whatsoever whether in law or
in equity, whether known or unknown, arising out of, or relating to, or accruing from (i) the organization, management or operation
of the business of the Company and each Company Subsidiary or their relationship with the Company or any Company Subsidiary, in each
case relating to any matter, occurrence, action or activity on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions, (iii) any inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty or any breach of any covenant, undertaking or other
agreement contained in this Agreement, the Schedules and Exhibits hereto or in any certificate contemplated hereby and delivered in connection
herewith, or (iv) any information (whether written or oral), documents or materials furnished in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions; provided that nothing contained in this Agreement shall release, waive, discharge, relinquish or otherwise affect
the rights or obligations of any Person with respect to claims properly made under this Agreement or any Transaction Document.
78
(b) Effective as of
the Closing and to the extent permitted by Law, Buyer, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries and each of their successors
and assigns, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges Seller and its Subsidiaries and each of their equityholders,
officers, managers, and directors from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, executions, judgments, duties, debts,
dues, accounts, bonds, contracts and covenants (whether express or implied), obligations, liabilities, claims and demands whatsoever
whether in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, arising out of, or relating to, or accruing from (i) the organization, management
or operation of the business of the Company and each Company Subsidiary or their relationship with the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
in each case relating to any matter, occurrence, action or activity on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) any information (whether
written or oral), documents or materials furnished in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; provided that nothing contained
in this Agreement shall release, waive, discharge, relinquish or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of any Person with respect
to claims properly made under this Agreement or any Transaction Document, or the Confidentiality Agreement, or involving Fraud, willful
misconduct, or act or omission constituting a felony under applicable Law.
9.17. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including counterparts transmitted via facsimile or in .pdf or similar
format) with the same effect as if all signatory Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.18. Further
Assurance. If at any time after the Closing any further action is necessary or desirable to fully effect the Contemplated Transactions,
each of Buyer, the Company and Seller shall take such further action (including the execution and delivery of such further instruments
and documents) as any other Party reasonably may request.
9.19. Legal
Representation.
(a) Each
of the Parties to this Agreement acknowledges that Michael Best & Friedrich LLP (“Michael Best”) currently
serves as counsel to both (a) the Company and (b) Seller, including in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. There may come
a time, including after the Closing, when the interests of Seller and the Company may no longer be aligned or when, for any reason, Seller,
Michael Best or the Company believe that Michael Best cannot or should no longer represent both Seller and the Company. The Parties
understand and specifically agree that Michael Best may withdraw from representing the Company at any time and continue to represent
Seller, even if the interests of Seller, and the interests of the Company are or may be directly adverse, including in connection with
any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any of the Transaction Documents or the Contemplated Transactions, and even
though Michael Best may have represented the Company in a matter substantially related to such dispute or may be handling ongoing matters
for the Company or any of its Affiliates, and Buyer and the Company hereby consent thereto and waive any conflict of interest arising
therefrom. In connection with the foregoing, Buyer on behalf of itself and its Affiliates hereby irrevocably waives and agrees
not to assert, and agree to cause the Company (after the Closing) to irrevocably waive and not to assert, any conflict of interest arising
from or in connection with (i) Michael Best’s prior representation of the Company and (ii) Michael Best’s representation
of Seller prior to and after the Closing. Buyer on behalf of itself and its Affiliates further consents and agrees to, and agrees
to cause the Company (after the Closing) to consent and agree to, the communication or transfer by Michael Best to Seller in connection
with any representation of any fact, document or other information known to Michael Best or in Michael Best’s possession arising
by reason of Michael Best’s representation of the Company prior to the Closing.
79
(b) Each
of the Parties further agrees that all pre-Closing communications and documents exchanged in any form or format whatsoever between or
among any of Michael Best, the Company or Seller, or any of their respective Affiliates, that relate in any way to the consideration,
negotiation, documentation and/or consummation of the Agreement, any of the Transaction Documents or the Contemplated Transactions or
any dispute arising under or relating to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Deal Communications”) shall
be deemed to be retained and owned solely by Seller, shall be controlled solely by Seller, and shall not pass to or be claimed by Buyer
or the Company or any of their Affiliates. All Deal Communications that are subject to the attorney-client privilege, the attorney
work product doctrine or any other privilege or protection (collectively, the “Privileged Deal Communications”)
shall remain privileged after the Closing and the privilege and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely
to Seller, shall be controlled solely by Seller and shall not pass to or be claimed by Buyer, the Company or any of their Affiliates.
Neither Seller nor Michael Best shall have any duty whatsoever to reveal or disclose any Privileged Deal Communications or files to the
Company by reason of any attorney-client relationship between Michael Best and the Company or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event that a dispute arises after the Closing between Buyer or the Company, on the one hand, and a Third Party other than Seller,
or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand, Buyer and the Company may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent the disclosure
of the Privileged Deal Communications to such Third Party; provided, however, that neither the Buyer nor the Company may waive
such privilege without the prior written consent of Seller. In the event that Buyer or the Company is legally required by Order
to produce any Deal Communications or Privileged Deal Communications in their possession, Buyer shall immediately (and, in any event,
within five (5) Business Days) notify Seller in writing (including by making specific reference to this section) so that Seller
can seek a protective order or take other appropriate action and Buyer and the Company agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts
to assist therewith.
(c) To
the extent that files or other materials maintained by Michael Best that document Deal Communications constitute property of its clients,
only Seller shall hold such property rights with respect to any representation prior to the Closing of the Company, and Michael Best
shall have no duty to reveal or disclose any such files or other materials by reason of any attorney-client relationship between Michael
Best, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
80
(d) Buyer
on behalf of itself and its Affiliates further consent and agree, and agree to cause the Company (after the Closing) to consent and agree,
that they will not (i) intentionally access or use the Deal Communications or the Privileged Deal Communications, including by way
of review of any electronic data, communications or other information, or by otherwise asserting that the Buyer or the Company have the
right to waive the attorney-client or other privilege with respect to Privileged Deal Communications or (ii) seek to obtain the
Deal Communications or the Privileged Deal Communications, directly or indirectly, from Michael Best or any other Person. In furtherance
of the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of any provision of this Agreement if prior to the Closing, Seller, the Company, or any of
their respective Representatives takes any action to protect from access or remove from the premises of the Company (or any offsite back-up
or other facilities) any Deal Communications or Privileged Deal Communications, including by segregating, encrypting, copying, deleting,
erasing, exporting or otherwise taking possession of any Deal Communications or Privileged Deal Communications, provided that
any such action does not otherwise negatively affect the operations of the businesses of the Company or any Subsidiary (any such action,
a “Permitted Removal”). In the event that, notwithstanding any good faith attempts by any of the foregoing
entities or individuals to achieve a Permitted Removal of any Privileged Deal Communications, any copy, backup, image, or other form
or version or electronic vestige of any portion of such Privileged Deal Communication remains accessible to or discoverable or retrievable
by Buyer or the Company (each, a “Residual Communication”), Buyer on behalf of itself and its Affiliates consents
and agrees, and agree to cause the Company (after the Closing) to consent and agree, that they will not, intentionally use or attempt
to use any means to access, retrieve, restore, recreate, unarchive or otherwise gain access to or view any Residual Communication for
any purpose.
(e) This
Section 9.19 is for the benefit of Seller and Michael Best, and Michael Best is an express third-party beneficiary of this
Section 9.19. This Section 9.19 shall be irrevocable, and no term of this Section 9.19 may be amended,
waived or modified, without the prior written consent of Seller and Michael Best.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY]
81
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each
of the Parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered in its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
BUYER:
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION,
a Delaware corporation
By:
/s/ John Ghingo
Name:
John Ghingo
Title:
President
SIGNATURE PAGE TO MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(PROJECT CENTURY)
SELLER:
BRAKEBUSH HOLDINGS, INC.
a Wisconsin corporation
By:
/s/ Gregory Huff
Name:
Gregory Huff
Title:
President & CEO
COMPANY:
BRAKEBUSH BROTHERS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:
/s/ Gregory Huff
Name:
Gregory Huff
Title:
President & CEO
SIGNATURE PAGE TO MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(PROJECT
CENTURY)
EX-99.1 — EXHIBIT 99.1
EX-99.1
Filename: tm2626547d1_ex99-1.htm · Sequence: 3
Exhibit 99.1
Hormel Foods Announces
Definitive Agreement To Acquire Brakebush, A
Leading Value-Added Chicken Company
Acquisition Will Strengthen Hormel
Foods' Position in a Growing Protein Category and Enhance its Leading Foodservice Capabilities
AUSTIN, Minn., (Sep. 30, 2026) — Hormel Foods Corporation
(NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush
Brothers, LLC, a leading value-added chicken company, from the Brakebush family.
The purchase price is approximately $1.055 billion, and the
transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of Hormel Foods' fiscal 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including
regulatory approval.
The acquisition advances Hormel Foods' strategy of investing
in growing protein categories, will meaningfully expand the company's position in value-added chicken and is expected to strengthen its
leading Foodservice platform through enhanced operator relationships, category expertise and an expanded direct sales organization.
“Brakebush is a highly respected leader in value-added
chicken and has earned the trust of customers for more than 100 years through innovation, quality and exceptional relationships,”
said Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer. “The company's talented team, strong culture and differentiated capabilities
make it an excellent fit for Hormel Foods. Our industry-leading Foodservice business has been a source of growth, and we are excited to
meaningfully expand our presence in value-added chicken.”
“Chicken has been one of the most attractive growth categories
in protein, and Brakebush has built an exceptional platform to serve that demand,” said John Ghingo, president and chief executive
officer-elect. “Hormel Foods has built a strong Foodservice business by helping operators succeed through innovation, service and
value-added solutions. We believe that Brakebush will bolster our capabilities, bringing additional scale, expertise and customer reach,
in support of our long-term growth strategy.”
“Brakebush has always been a people-first company, built
on strong relationships, shared values and a commitment to doing business the right way,” said Carey Brakebush, chairman of the
board, Brakebush. “We see those same qualities in Hormel Foods. Their culture, integrity and long-term approach to growth give us
great confidence that Brakebush will continue to thrive for our employees, customers and communities in the years ahead.”
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Westfield, Wisconsin,
Brakebush has established itself as a leading, value-added, non-vertically integrated chicken provider, serving a diverse foodservice
customer base across national and regional operators. Brakebush generated approximately $1.2 billion in net sales over the last 12 months
and operates five production facilities and two research and development labs.
Hormel Foods expects the acquisition to generate growth, unlock
operational synergies, and enhance cash flows. The company expects the acquisition to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share beginning
in fiscal 2028. The company expects to report the results of Brakebush’s operations primarily in its Foodservice segment.
ADVANCING HORMEL FOODS' GROWTH STRATEGY
Hormel Foods expects the acquisition to provide the following strategic
benefits:
· Strengthens Hormel Foods’ Position in a Growing Protein Category: The addition of Brakebush will significantly expand
Hormel Foods' presence in value-added chicken, positioning the company to participate more meaningfully in one of the most attractive
segments of protein.
· Creates a Broader Platform for Foodservice Segment Growth: Brakebush's established direct sales
organization, deep relationships and category expertise are expected to enhance Hormel Foods' existing Foodservice capabilities and customer
reach. Together, the businesses are expected to be better positioned to serve national and regional operators with high-quality, value-added
protein solutions.
· Adds a Reputable, Scaled Asset: Opportunities to acquire a leading value-added chicken business
with Brakebush's scale, reputation and customer loyalty are uncommon. Hormel Foods believes the company brings a solid asset base, strong
innovation capabilities and deep customer relationships built over more than 100 years.
· Aligns with Hormel Foods' Long-Term Growth Strategy: The acquisition reflects Hormel Foods' disciplined
approach to portfolio management and capital allocation, and reinforces its focus on categories, channels and capabilities with long-term
growth potential.
Wells Fargo is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Hormel
Foods and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath is serving as legal counsel. William Blair is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Michael
Best & Friedrich LLP is serving as legal counsel for Brakebush.
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call will be webcast at 7 a.m. CT on Sep. 30,
2026. Access is available at hormelfoods.com by clicking on "Investors." The call will also be available via telephone by dialing
833-461-5787 (toll free) or 585-542-9983 (international) and providing the conference ID 284 105 358. A webcast replay will be available
at investor.hormelfoods.com following the call and will remain on the website for one year.
ABOUT HORMEL FOODS
Hormel Foods Corporation, based
in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include Planters®,
Skippy®, SPAM®,
Hormel® Natural Choice®,
Applegate®, Wholly®,
Hormel® Black Label®,
Columbus®, Jennie-O®
and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P
500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News
& World Report and one of America’s most responsible
companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards
and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.
ABOUT BRAKEBUSH BROTHERS, LLC
Family-owned and operated since 1925, Brakebush Brothers, LLC,
offers a wide variety of further processed chicken for foodservice establishments nationwide. The company is headquartered in Westfield,
WI with additional facilities in Mocksville, NC; Irving, TX; Wells, MN; and Hartwell, GA. Visit www.brakebush.com for more information.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which
are based on the current assumptions and expectations of Hormel Foods Corporation (the “Company”). These statements are typically
accompanied by the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "may," "might," "plan," "project," "seek," "target," "will,"
"would," or similar words or expressions. The principal forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding
the pending acquisition of Brakebush and the anticipated benefits of, and the Company’s plans, strategies, and objectives relating
to, such acquisition.
All such forward-looking statements are intended to enjoy the protection
of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Although
the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements, actual events or results could be materially different.
The most important factors that could cause actual future results or events to differ from its forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, risks relating to completing the acquisition in the anticipated timeframe, or at all; risks related to the ability
to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues,
expenses, charges, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, and strategies
resulting from the acquisition or otherwise could adversely impact the value or expected benefit of the acquisition; the expected financial
and operating performance and future opportunities following the acquisition; risks relating to the receipt of regulatory approvals without
unexpected delays or conditions and possibility of regulatory action; the risks and costs of the pursuit and/or implementation of the
acquisition; risks related to the Company’s access to available financing to consummate the acquisition upon acceptable terms and
on a timely basis or at all; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the acquisition on the Company’s or Brakebush’s
business relationships, competition, business, financial condition, and operating results, including risks that the acquisition disrupts
current plans and operations of the Company or Brakebush, the ability of the Company or Brakebush to retain and hire key personnel, and
risks related to diverting either management team’s attention from ongoing business operations; the ability of the Company to successfully
integrate Brakebush’s operations and implement its plans, forecasts, and other expectations with respect to Brakebush’s business
or the combined business after the closing of the acquisition; the ability of the Company to manage any additional debt and successfully
de-lever following the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or Brakebush related
to the acquisition; and the other risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company's most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be accessed at hormelfoods.com in the "Investors" section.
Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company cautions that other factors
may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company's business or results of operations. Forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as
otherwise required by law.
INVESTOR CONTACT
MEDIA CONTACT
Jess Blomberg
Laura Cederberg
ir@hormel.com
media@hormel.com
EX-99.2 — EXHIBIT 99.2
EX-99.2
Filename: tm2626547d1_ex99-2.htm · Sequence: 4
Exhibit 99.2
ADVANCING THE HORMEL FOODS
GROWTH STRATEGY
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Announces definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers, LLC,
a leading value-added chicken company
DISCLAIMERS
Non-GAAP Information
This presentation contains forward-looking statements, which are based on the current assumptions and expectations of Hormel Foods Corporation (the “Company”). These statements
are typically accompanied by the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "project," "seek," "target," "will," "would," or similar
words or expressions. The principal forward-looking statements in this presentation include statements regarding the Company's pending acquisition of Brakebush Brothers, LLC
("Brakebush") and the anticipated benefits of, and the Company’s plans, strategies, and objectives relating to, such acquisition.
All such forward-looking statements are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, as amended. Although the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements, actual events or results could be materially different. The most
important factors that could cause actual future results or events to differ from its forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to completing the acquisition in
the anticipated timeframe, or at all; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures,
revenues, expenses, charges, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, and strategies resulting from the acquisition or
otherwise could adversely impact the value or expected benefit of the acquisition; the expected financial and operating performance and future opportunities following the acquisition;
risks relating to the receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions and possibility of regulatory action; the risks and costs of the pursuit and/or implementation of
the acquisition; risks related to the Company’s access to available financing to consummate the acquisition upon acceptable terms and on a timely basis or at all; the effect of the
announcement or pendency of the acquisition on the Company’s or Brakebush’s business relationships, competition, business, financial condition, and operating results, including risks
that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or Brakebush, the ability of the Company or Brakebush to retain and hire key personnel, and risks related to
diverting either management team’s attention from ongoing business operations; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brakebush’s operations and implement its plans,
forecasts, and other expectations with respect to Brakebush’s business or the combined business after the closing of the acquisition; the ability of the Company to manage any additional
debt and successfully de-lever following the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or Brakebush related to the acquisition; and
the other risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be
accessed at hormelfoods.com in the "Investors" section. Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company cautions that
other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company's business or results of operations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made,
and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as otherwise required by law.
This presentation contains certain non-GAAP measures, including net debt and adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP measures are not intended to be a substitute for GAAP measures in
analyzing financial performance. These non-GAAP measures are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP
measures used by other companies. Please see the discussion of non-GAAP measures and the reconciliation from the GAAP measures to the non-GAAP adjusted measures at the end
of this presentation for more information. When possible with respect to non-GAAP financial measures presented with respect to historical periods, the Company provides a reconciliation
of its historic non-GAAP financial measures to its most closely applicable GAAP financial measures. The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP guidance
measures to the corresponding GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis because doing so would not be possible without unreasonable effort due to, among other things, the potential
variability and limited visibility of the excluded items and expectations as to the financial performance of each of the Company and Brakebush upon the completion of the pending
acquisition. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. The Company is presenting forward looking non-GAAP
financial measures for illustrative purposes and may not report on this basis going forward. Certain Brakebush financial figures presented herein are based on management estimates.
Actual figures may differ materially from those presented herein and from those included in any subsequently prepared financial statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
TRANSACTION OVERVIEW
1. Adjusted EBITDA multiple based on adjusted EBITDA estimate for Brakebush for CY2026 and the transaction purchase price. Non-GAAP measure. See Disclaimers: Non-GAAP Measures and Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures for additional information
2. Based on CY2026 estimate for Brakebush
3. Subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval 3
• Expect to finance with a combination of cash on hand and long-term debt
• Committed to maintaining strong investment-grade rating
• Reasonable path to deleveraging over time
• Acquiring a leading value-added chicken company, significantly expanding position in one of the most
attractive segments of protein
• Strengthens Foodservice platform through Brakebush’s direct sales organization, category expertise and a
century-long history of serving customers
• Adds a scaled business with a well-invested manufacturing network and differentiated capabilities
• Expected to advance growth strategy while enhancing cash flow and operating margins over time
• $1.055 billion transaction purchase price, subject to closing adjustments
• Implied adjusted EBITDA multiple1 of 10.7x and 8.9x after synergies
• Net sales of approximately $1.2 billion2
• Expected run-rate cost synergies of ~$20 million by the end of fiscal 2028
• Expected tax basis step-up of acquired assets
• Will primarily be reported through Foodservice segment
• Transaction expected to close in fiscal Q1 20273
Financial
Structure
Strategic
Highlights
Transaction
Details
Hormel Foods to acquire Brakebush, a leading value-added chicken company
BRAKEBUSH
A leading, value-added, non-vertically integrated chicken provider
with Scale, Differentiated Capabilities, and an Attractive Growth Runway
Company Overview Foodservice-led Revenue Profile1 Highlights
Foodservice
Retail
~90%
~10%
• Family owned for over 100 years
• Comprehensive portfolio of
fully cooked, par-fried and raw
portioned products
• Diversified foodservice channel
mix
• Scaled manufacturing network
with many capabilities; recognized
across the industry for quality and
customer service
• Five production facilities
• Two state-of-the-art R&D labs
• Leading positions in value-added
chicken
• Strong customer relationships
with direct-selling organization
• Customer-centric innovation
1 Based on Brakebush’s fiscal 2025 commercial net sales. 4
Channel
Channel
Deepens presence
in attractive value-added chicken
Adds a solid asset
base and strong,
differentiated
innovation
capabilities
Reflects disciplined
approach to portfolio
management and
capital allocation
Expands foodservice
reach through a
leading direct-sales
platform
Strengthens
position in growing
protein category
Broader platform for
Foodservice growth
Scaled and
Reputable Asset
Aligns with long-term
growth strategy
ADVANCING THE HORMEL FOODS GROWTH STRATEGY
5
A MORE SCALED AND BALANCED BUSINESS
EXPANDED FOODSERVICE PRESENCE AND CHICKEN OFFERINGS
1
Internal data: Estimated pro forma net sales by segment and net sales by key input after giving effect to the transaction based on the Company’s and Brakebush’s respective results for the last
twelve months ended July 26, 2026. Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Retail
Foodservice
International
55% 40%
5%
Net Sales by Segment1 Net Sales by Key Input1
Pork
~40%
Turkey
~13%
Non-meat
~20%
Beef
~13%
Chicken
~13%
6
CAPITAL ALLOCATION PRIORITIES
Remain committed to dividend support, investing in our business,
& maintaining an investment-grade rating
Priority
•Dividend
•Maintenance capex
•Mandatory debt repayment
•Pension obligations
Strategic
•Growth capex
•Acquisitions
•Investments in working
capital
Opportunistic
•Share repurchases
•Incremental debt repayment
•Cash build
7
FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO SUPPORT
GROWTH INVESTMENTS
Source: 1Non-GAAP measure. See Disclaimers: Non-GAAP Measures and Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures for additional information
1.5x to 2.0x
Strong Investment-grade
rating
Committed to maintaining
Demonstrated Ability to Deleverage
Following M&A
Target Range
Low-2x
Expected
Post- Acquisition
Net Debt to Adj. EBITDA1
Acquired
Planters
F’21 F’22 F’23 F’24 F’25 LTM
Q3F’26
2.0x
1.5x
1.8x
1.5x
1.7x
1.5x
Net Debt to Adj. EBITDA1
8
DISCIPLINED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
STRENGTHENS LONG-TERM GROWTH PROFILE
DIVESTING NON-STRATEGIC BUSINESSES
LOWER-MARGIN
NON-CORE
CATEGORIES
COMPLEX
OPERATIONS
REDEPLOYING CAPITAL TO STRATEGIC
GROWTH AREAS
FOODSERVICE VALUE-ADDED CHICKEN
JUSTIN’S® BRAND BRAZIL WHOLE BIRDS
9
Jeff Ettinger
Interim Chief Executive Officer
John Ghingo
President and
Chief Executive Officer-elect
Ash Bhumbla
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Q&A SESSION Management Participants
Sept 30, 2026 7:00 AM CT For webcast visit: investor.hormelfoods.com
APPENDIX
11
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This presentation contains certain non-GAAP measures, including net debt and adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP measures are not intended
to be a substitute for GAAP measures in analyzing financial performance. These non-GAAP measures are not calculated in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The Company
utilizes these non-GAAP measures to understand and evaluate operating performance on a consistent basis. The Company believes these
non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors because they aid analysis and understanding of the Company’s results and
business trends relative to past performance and the Company’s competitors.
The Company provides earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) because it believes these measures are
useful to management and investors as indicators of operating performance net of non-operating income and expenses, and because they
are commonly used to benchmark the Company’s performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding adjustments as
described in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for each respective fiscal year end.
Net debt is defined as long-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents.
Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
NON-GAAP MEASURES (CONTINUED)
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Sep. 29, 2026
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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
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Austin
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