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EXHIBIT 10.24
[O'CHARLEY'S INC. LOGO]
O'CHARLEY'S INC.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I GRANT....................................................... 2
ARTICLE II FEES........................................................ 4
ARTICLE III SCHEDULE AND MANNER FOR EXERCISING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS....... 5
ARTICLE IV PREREQUISITES TO OBTAINING LICENSES......................... 12
ARTICLE V TERM........................................................ 14
ARTICLE VI DUTIES OF DEVELOPER......................................... 14
ARTICLE VII DEFAULT AND TERMINATION..................................... 19
ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF INTEREST........................................ 23
ARTICLE IX COVENANTS................................................... 29
ARTICLE X INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND INDEMNIFICATION.................. 32
ARTICLE XI APPROVALS................................................... 33
ARTICLE XII NON-WAIVER AND REMEDIES..................................... 33
ARTICLE XIII NOTICES..................................................... 34
ARTICLE XIV SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION............................... 34
ARTICLE XV ENTIRE AGREEMENT; APPLICABLE LAW............................ 35
ARTICLE XVI ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................. 37
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Attachment A Operating Agreement......................................... A-1
Attachment B Lease Rider................................................. B-1
Attachment C Confidentiality And Non-Compete Agreement................... C-1
Attachment D Statement Of Ownership Interests and Principals............. D-1
Attachment E Guaranty.................................................... E-1
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O'CHARLEY'S INC.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
this _____ day of December, 2003, by and among O'Charley's Inc., a Tennessee
corporation ("Licensor"), OCM Development Company, LLC, a Michigan limited
liability company d/b/a O'Charley's Development Company of Michigan
("Developer"), and Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., a Michigan corporation
("Controlling Principal").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Licensor, as a result of the expenditure of time, skill,
effort and money, has developed and owns the rights to develop and operate a
unique system of full service varied menu casual dining restaurants which
feature freshly prepared items such as hand-cut and aged steaks, fresh chicken,
seafood, homemade yeast rolls and fresh-cut salads with special recipe dressings
and which serve alcoholic beverages through a full-service bar all under the
trademark O'Charley's(R) (the "System");
WHEREAS, the distinguishing characteristics of the System include,
without limitation, distinctive exterior and interior design, decor, color
schemes, awnings, neons and furnishings, special recipes and menu items, uniform
standards, specifications and procedures for operations, quality and uniformity
of products and services offered, procedures for inventory management and
financial control, training and assistance, and advertising and promotional
programs, all of which may be changed, improved and further developed by
Licensor from time to time;
WHEREAS, Licensor identifies the System by means of certain trade
names, service marks, trademarks, emblems and indicia of origin, including, but
not limited to, the mark O'Charley's(R) and such other trade names, service
marks and trademarks as are now designated (and may hereafter be designated by
Licensor in writing) for use in connection with the System (the "Proprietary
Marks");
WHEREAS, Licensor continues to develop, use and control the use of such
Proprietary Marks in order to identify for the public the source of services and
products marketed thereunder and under the System, and to represent the System's
high standards of quality, appearance and service;
WHEREAS, the value of Licensor's Proprietary Marks is based upon: (a)
the maintenance of uniform high quality standards in connection with the
preparation and sale of Licensor-approved food and beverage products; (b) the
uniform high standards of appearance of the individual restaurant units in the
System; (c) the use of distinctive Proprietary Marks, building designs and
advertising signs representing a uniformly high quality of products and
services; and (d) the assumption by its franchisees of the obligation to
maintain and enhance the goodwill and public acceptance of the System and of the
Proprietary Marks by strict adherence to the high standards required by
Licensor; and
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WHEREAS, Developer wishes to obtain certain development rights to
operate one (1) or more full-service O'Charley's restaurants (each, a
"Restaurant" or "Licensed Business," and together, the "Restaurants" or
"Licensed Businesses") under the System in the territory described in this
Development Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, in consideration of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
GRANT
A. In reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of Developer and its Controlling Principals hereunder, Licensor
hereby grants to Developer and Developer hereby accepts, pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the right and obligation to develop the number
of Restaurants described in the Development Schedule (as defined below) solely
within the geographic area(s) described below (collectively the "Territory").
State of Michigan, except Lenawee County in Southeast Michigan
_______________________________________________________________________
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Developer may be granted rights to develop additional Restaurants in Licensor's
sole discretion. Any and all such rights to develop Restaurants are subject to
Developer's full compliance with all conditions precedent to the grant of such
rights outlined in this Agreement, and any such rights shall be exercised in
accordance with Article III.
B. Developer acknowledges and understands that the rights granted
hereunder are for the development of full-service O'Charley's restaurants.
Except as provided in this Agreement, and subject to Developer's full compliance
with this Agreement and any other agreements among Developer, or any of its
Affiliates and Licensor or any of its Affiliates, neither Licensor nor its
Affiliates shall establish or authorize any other person or any other
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint
venture, association, trust, unincorporated association or any other business
entity (each, an "Entity"), other than Developer, to establish a Restaurant in
the Territory during the term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above,
Developer acknowledges and agrees that Licensor and its Affiliates operate
restaurants under the trademark O'Charley's(R) and further agrees and
acknowledges that the rights granted hereby are only for the development and
operation of one (1) or more full-service O'Charley's restaurants, and,
therefore, Licensor and its Affiliates may conduct (or authorize one or more
third parties to conduct) the following activities:
(1) Licensor, its Affiliates, any O'Charley's developer or
operator and any other authorized person or Entity shall have the right, at any
time, to advertise and promote the System, and fill customer orders by providing
catering and/or delivery services in the Territory.
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(2) Licensor and its Affiliates may offer and sell (or may
authorize others to offer and sell) collateral and ancillary products and
services under the Proprietary Marks which may be similar to those offered by
the Restaurants in the Territory if offered and sold other than through a
full-service O'Charley's restaurant, such as pre-packaged food products,
t-shirts and O'Charley's memorabilia.
(3) Licensor and its Affiliates may offer and sell in the
Territory (or may authorize others to offer and sell) such products and services
under the Proprietary Marks through any permanent, temporary or seasonal food
service facility (e.g., a kiosk, concession or multi-brand facility) that will
provide a limited number or representative sample of the products and services
normally offered by, and be located in a smaller facility than, a full-service
O'Charley's restaurant ("Alternative Distribution Facilities").
(4) Licensor and its Affiliates may operate (or may authorize
others to operate) a full-service O'Charley's restaurant or other similar food
service facilities offering the same products and services offered by a
full-service O'Charley's restaurant or an Alternative Distribution Facility in
any area of retail sales establishments, food courts, transportation facilities
(e.g., airports, train stations, bus terminals or port authorities), hospitals
and other healthcare facilities, cafeterias, commissaries, schools, hotels,
sports and entertainment facilities (e.g., stadiums, arenas, ball parks or
convention centers) and other mass gathering locations or events designated by
Licensor (each, an "Excluded Area"). Licensor may first offer to Developer the
right to offer and sell the O'Charley's restaurant products in the Excluded Area
within the Territory. Developer must meet each of the conditions outlined in
Section IV(B), and any other criteria and qualifications deemed necessary by
Licensor, or any other third party involved in the arrangement such as an
airport or stadium authority, educational institution or other facilities
operator ("Facilities Operator"), to offer and sell the O'Charley's restaurant
products and services in the Excluded Area. If Developer does not meet all of
the criteria and qualifications required by Licensor and the Facilities
Operator, then Developer shall not be granted the right to offer and sell such
products and services within the Excluded Area and Licensor may conduct such
business, or authorize any other person or Entity to do so. If Developer meets
all the conditions, criteria and qualifications, Licensor shall offer to
Developer the right to offer and sell such products and services on such terms
and conditions as such arrangements may be offered to third parties as
determined by Licensor or such Facilities Operator, as applicable. Once such
offer has been made to Developer by Licensor in writing, Developer shall have
the right to accept such offer within thirty (30) days after receipt of such
written notification. If Developer fails to notify Licensor in writing of
Developer's intent to accept the offer within such thirty (30) day time period
or Developer fails to meet any criteria or qualifications imposed by Licensor or
the Facilities Operator, Licensor may conduct such business itself, or authorize
any other person or Entity to do so.
(5) Licensor and its Affiliates may offer and sell (or may
authorize others to offer and sell) products and services under any other names
and marks.
(6) Licensor, its Affiliates, any O'Charley's restaurant
developer or operator and any other authorized person or Entity may establish
and operate a full-service O'Charley's restaurant anywhere outside of the
Territory regardless of proximity to the Territory or the Location (as defined
in the Operating Agreement) of any O'Charley's Restaurant operated by Developer.
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C. This Agreement is not a franchise or license agreement and does not
grant to Developer any right or license to operate a Restaurant, distribute
goods or services, or any right to use or interest in the Proprietary Marks
(such right and license being granted only pursuant to the Operating Agreement
applicable to individual Restaurants as such Operating Agreement may be entered
into and become effective pursuant to this Agreement and such Operating
Agreement).
D. After this Agreement expires or is terminated, Licensor shall have
the complete and unrestricted right to operate or license other persons to
operate one or more restaurants utilizing the System in the Territory (except at
Locations for which Developer has a then outstanding and effective Operating
Agreement).
ARTICLE II
FEES
A. Developer shall pay Licensor an initial license fee of Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for each of the first two (2) Restaurants developed
pursuant to this Agreement and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for each
additional Restaurant developed pursuant to this Agreement. Simultaneously with
the execution of this Agreement, Developer shall pay to Licensor one half (1/2)
of the license fees for all Restaurants to be developed pursuant to this
Agreement as a fee for such development. The remaining one half (1/2) of the
license fee for each of the Restaurants to be developed during the Development
Periods shall be paid by Developer upon the signing of an Operating Agreement
for each Restaurant.
B. Developer acknowledges that the portion of the license fees being
paid to Licensor simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement is being
paid in partial consideration of the administrative and other expenses incurred
by Licensor in connection with the development rights granted hereunder and for
its lost or deferred opportunity to grant such rights to any other party.
Developer acknowledges that no part of such fees shall be refunded to Developer
under any circumstances, even if no Restaurants are opened by Developer under
this Agreement, and that Developer shall have no right to recover from Licensor,
directly or indirectly, any of such portion of the license fees.
C. Pursuant to its obligations hereunder and under the applicable
Operating Agreements, Licensor will make various expenditures in connection with
the development of prospective Restaurant sites by Developer, including
expenditures for travel, lodging and meals. Developer shall promptly notify
Licensor of a decision to cease development of a prospective Restaurant site. In
the event that Developer fails to open a Restaurant at any such site, Developer
shall reimburse Licensor for Licensor's expenditures with respect to that site.
In such event, Licensor shall provide Developer with an itemized list of
Licensor's expenditures with respect to that site within sixty (60) days after
Licensor receives notice that Developer no longer intends to develop a
Restaurant at that site, and Developer shall reimburse Licensor for such costs
within thirty (30) days after receiving such list.
D. Developer shall not be entitled to withhold payments due Licensor
under this Agreement on grounds of alleged nonperformance by Licensor hereunder.
Any payment not actually received by Licensor on or before the date due shall be
deemed overdue. Time is of the essence with respect to all payments to be made
by Developer to Licensor. All unpaid obligations under this Agreement shall bear
interest from the date due until paid at the lesser of
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(1) the prime commercial rate of interest as reported in the Wall Street Journal
(Southeastern edition) from time to time or by any bank or financial institution
designated from time to time by Licensor for short term unsecured loans to
substantial and responsible commercial borrowers, plus three percent (3%), or
(2) the maximum rate allowed by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall require the
payment or permit the collection of interest in excess of the maximum rate
allowed by applicable law. If any excess of interest is provided for herein, or
shall be adjudicated to be so provided in this Agreement, the provisions of this
paragraph shall govern and prevail, and neither Developer nor its Principals
shall be obligated to pay the excess amount of such interest. If for any reason
interest in excess of the maximum rate allowed by applicable law shall be deemed
charged, required or permitted, any such excess shall be applied as a payment
and reduction of any other amounts which may be due and owing hereunder, and if
no such amounts are due and owing hereunder then such excess shall be repaid to
the party that paid such interest.
E. Developer acknowledges that the Development Period extension fees in
Article III and the transfer fee in Section VIII(B)(2)(j) may, in Licensor's
sole discretion, be increased annually effective January 1 of each year
beginning on January 1 of the year following the date of this Agreement, by an
amount equal to the annual percentage increase during the preceding calendar
year in the Consumer Price Index---All Consumers (All Items)---United States
City Average, as compiled and published by the United States Department of
Labor, or such comparable successor index as may be designated by Licensor from
time to time.
ARTICLE III
SCHEDULE AND MANNER FOR EXERCISING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
A. Developer shall enter into a separate Operating Agreement with
Licensor for each Restaurant for which a development right is granted. The
Operating Agreement to be executed for each Restaurant to be developed under
this Agreement shall be in the form of the Operating Agreement attached hereto
as Attachment A.
B. (1) Acknowledging that time is of the essence, and subject to the
requirements of Article IV, Developer agrees to exercise its development rights
according to the development schedule below (the "Development Schedule"), which
schedule designates the number of Restaurants in the Territory to be established
and in operation by Developer upon the expiration of each of the designated
development periods (the "Development Periods").
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CUMULATIVE TOTAL NUMBER
OF RESTAURANTS LOCATED IN
THE TERRITORY WHICH
EXPIRATION DATE OF DEVELOPER SHALL HAVE OPEN
DEVELOPMENT PERIOD DEVELOPMENT PERIOD AND IN OPERATION*
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One September 30, 2004 1
Two December 31, 2004 2
Three August 31, 2005 3
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Four December 31, 2005 4
Five June 30, 2006 5
Six December 31, 2006 6
Seven June 30, 2007 7
Eight December 31, 2007 8
Nine June 30, 2008 9
Ten September 30, 2008 10
Eleven December 31, 2008 11
Twelve June 30, 2009 12
Thirteen September 30, 2009 13
Fourteen December 31, 2009 14
Fifteen June 30, 2010 15
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*includes existing Restaurants, if any, purchased or acquired by Developer from
Licensor.
(a) Developer shall have the obligation to develop
each Restaurant within the Territory during the Development Periods. If
Developer has developed the Restaurant(s) required in the applicable Development
Period in accordance with the Development Schedule and continues to meet the
conditions set forth in Article IV, Developer shall have the right and
obligation to develop the Restaurant(s) required during the next applicable
Development Period. Developer acknowledges that compliance with its development
obligations in each Development Period described above and continued compliance
with Article IV is a condition precedent to the receipt of such additional
development rights. If Developer fails to meet its development obligations or
fails to comply with the Operational Approval, Financial Approval, Legal
Approval and Ownership Approval requirements in Article IV, the conditions to
the receipt of those further development rights shall not have been met, and
Developer shall have no further rights to develop Restaurants hereunder.
(b) During any of the Development Periods set forth
above, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Developer, with
Licensor's prior written consent (which consent may be withheld in Licensor's
sole discretion), may develop more than the total minimum number of Restaurants
which Developer is required to develop during that Development Period.
Notwithstanding the above, Developer shall not open or operate more than the
cumulative total number of Restaurants Developer is obligated to develop under
this Agreement as set forth above in the Development Schedule without Licensor's
consent, which may be withheld in Licensor's sole discretion. Any Restaurants
developed during a Development Period in excess of the minimum number of
Restaurants required to be developed upon expiration of that Development Period,
shall be applied to satisfy Developer's development obligation during the next
succeeding Development Period, if any.
(2) If during the term of this Agreement, Developer ceases to
operate any Restaurant developed under this Agreement for any reason, Developer
shall develop a
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replacement Restaurant to fulfill Developer's obligation to have open and in
operation the required number of Restaurants upon the expiration of each
Development Period. The replacement Restaurant shall be developed within the
Territory and within a reasonable time to be determined by Licensor after
Developer ceases to operate the Restaurant to be replaced. If during the term of
this Agreement, Developer, in accordance with the terms of any Operating
Agreement for a Restaurant developed under this Agreement, transfers its
interest in such Restaurant, the transferred Restaurant shall continue to be
counted in determining whether Developer has complied with the Development
Schedule so long as it continues to be operated as an O'Charley's restaurant and
the transfer of the Restaurant is made in accordance with Article VIII of this
Agreement. If the transferred Restaurant ceases to be operated as an O'Charley's
restaurant during the term of this Agreement, Developer shall develop a
replacement Restaurant within the Territory and within a reasonable time to be
determined by Licensor after the transferred Restaurant ceases to be operated as
an O'Charley's restaurant. In either case, the reasonable time period shall
apply to the development of the replacement Restaurant only. In Licensor's sole
discretion, however, Licensor may extend the term of the applicable Development
Period to the end of the mutually agreed upon time period for an extension fee
of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to be paid by Operator to Licensor; provided,
however, that in no event shall such time period exceed three (3) months; and,
provided, further, that such agreed time period shall not extend the term of
this Agreement. In addition, Developer shall be required to pay to Licensor a
lost revenue fee for any Restaurant that ceases to be operated as an O'Charley's
restaurant. The lost revenue fee shall be an amount equal to the amount of
revenue that Licensor would have received from Developer during the period
between the closing of the Restaurant and the opening of the replacement
Restaurant had the original Restaurant never closed. The lost revenue fee shall
be determined by multiplying (x) by (y) where (x) equals the number of
Accounting Periods (both complete and partial) between the closing of the
Restaurant and the opening of the replacement Restaurant and (y) equals the
greater of: (i) the closed Restaurant's Gross Sales (as that term is defined in
the Operating Agreement) for its last full Accounting Period of operation, or
(ii) the average of the Restaurant's last twelve (12) Accounting Periods (or
such shorter period the Restaurant has been operating) of Gross Sales. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Accounting Period" shall mean the
accounting periods for the Restaurant as established by Licensor from time to
time and described in the Manuals.
(3) Developer shall open each Restaurant developed hereunder
and shall commence business in accordance with the Development Schedule
described in this Article III.
(a) Developer may request in writing that Licensor
extend the Development Period of any one Restaurant to permit Developer to
complete construction and begin operation of such Restaurant. If Licensor
determines, in its sole discretion, to grant any such request, the applicable
Development Period shall be extended for a period of thirty (30) days (each such
30-day period being referred to as an "Extension Period"). Developer's written
request for extension must be received by Licensor no later than sixty (60) days
prior to the end of the Development Period for that Restaurant, and such written
request must include a description of the reasons for Developer's failure to
develop in a timely manner and the date that Developer expects to complete
construction and opening of the Restaurant.
(b) If Developer has agreed to develop five (5) or
more Restaurants hereunder, unless otherwise agreed to by Licensor, in
Licensor's sole and absolute discretion, Developer shall not be entitled to more
than three (3) Extension Periods for any one Restaurant,
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nor more than six (6) Extension Periods during the term of this Agreement. If
Licensor permits a fourth (4th) Extension Period for any one Restaurant,
Developer must pay Licensor an extension fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
at the beginning of such Extension Period, plus another Ten Thousand Dollar
($10,000) extension fee at the beginning of each Extension Period Licensor
approves thereafter until such Restaurant has begun operation. If Licensor
permits a seventh (7th) Development Period, Developer must pay Licensor an
extension fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) at the beginning of such
Extension Period, plus another Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000) extension fee at
the beginning of Extension Period Licensor approves thereafter until such
Restaurant has begun operation. No extension of any Development Period will
affect the duration of any Development Period for any other Restaurant or any of
Developer's other development obligations hereunder.
(c) If Developer has agreed to develop four (4) or
fewer Restaurants hereunder, unless otherwise agreed to by Licensor, in
Licensor's sole and absolute discretion, Developer will be permitted no more
than three (3) Extension Periods during the term of this Agreement. If Licensor
permits a fourth (4th) Extension Period, Developer must pay Licensor an
extension fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) at the beginning of such
Extension Period, plus another Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000) extension fee at
the beginning of each Extension Period Licensor approves thereafter until such
Restaurant has begun operation. No extension of any Development Period will
affect the duration of any Development Period for any other Restaurant or any of
Developer's other development obligations hereunder.
C. Developer acknowledges that the projected opening dates ("Projected
Opening Dates") for each Restaurant set forth below are reasonable and
consistent with the requirements of the Development Schedule. Subject to
Developer's compliance with Article IV hereof, Developer shall execute an
Operating Agreement for each Restaurant no later than six (6) months prior to
the Projected Opening Date for the applicable Restaurant.
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RESTAURANT PROJECTED OPENING DATE
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One September 30, 2004
Two December 31, 2004
Three August 31, 2005
Four December 31, 2005
Five June 30, 2006
Six December 31, 2006
Seven June 30, 2007
Eight December 31, 2007
Nine June 30, 2008
Ten September 30, 2008
Eleven December 31, 2008
Twelve June 30, 2009
</TABLE>
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Thirteen September 30, 2009
Fourteen December 31, 2009
Fifteen June 30, 2010
</TABLE>
D. Developer assumes all cost, liability, expense and responsibility
for locating, obtaining and developing sites for each Restaurant, and for
constructing and equipping each Restaurant at each such site. Developer shall
not make any binding commitment to a prospective vendor or lessor of real estate
with respect to a site for a Restaurant unless the site is accepted as set forth
below. Developer acknowledges that the location, selection, procurement and
development of a site for each Restaurant is Developer's responsibility; that in
discharging such responsibility Operator may consult with real estate and other
professionals of Developer's choosing; and that Licensor's acceptance of a
prospective site and the rendering of assistance in the selection of a site does
not constitute a representation, promise, warranty or guarantee, express or
implied, by Licensor that the Restaurant operated at that site will be
profitable or otherwise successful.
(1) In connection with the development of each Restaurant
hereunder, Licensor shall do the following:
(a) Licensor shall provide Developer with written
site selection guidelines, which may be found within the Manuals or may
otherwise be communicated to Developer, and such site selection assistance as
Licensor may deem advisable.
(b) Licensor shall provide such on-site evaluation as
Licensor may deem necessary on its own initiative or in response to Developer's
reasonable request for site acceptance; provided, however, that Licensor shall
not provide an on-site evaluation for any proposed site prior to the receipt of
all required information and materials concerning such site prepared pursuant to
Section (III)(D)(2)(a). Licensor (or its designee) will provide at no additional
charge to Developer one (1) on-site evaluation. Thereafter, if additional
on-site evaluations are deemed appropriate by Licensor, or upon Developer's
reasonable request, Licensor reserves the right to charge a fee for each such
evaluation representing the reasonable expenses incurred by Licensor (or its
designee) in connection with such on-site evaluation, including, without
limitation, the cost of travel, lodging and meals.
(c) Licensor shall loan to Developer a set of
prototypical architectural and design plans and specifications for an
O'Charley's Restaurant.
(2) (a) Developer shall locate a site for the Restaurant
that satisfies the Licensor's written site selection guidelines. Developer shall
submit to Licensor, in the form specified by Licensor in the Manuals, a fully
completed site selection acceptance request package which shall include a
description of the site, evidence satisfactory to Licensor demonstrating that
the site satisfies Licensor's current site selection guidelines and criteria, a
letter of intent or other evidence satisfactory to Licensor which confirms
Developer's favorable prospects for obtaining the site, together with such other
information and materials as required in the Manuals or as Licensor may
otherwise reasonably require. Recognizing that time is of the essence, Developer
agrees that it will submit each such fully completed site selection acceptance
request package and materials for the proposed site to Licensor for its
acceptance at such time and in accordance with such procedures as are set forth
in the Manuals, or which are otherwise
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communicated to Developer by Licensor. Licensor shall have thirty (30) days
after receipt of this information and materials to accept or reject, in its sole
discretion, the proposed site as the location for the Restaurant. In the event
Licensor rejects the proposed site, Licensor may submit to Operator a document
outlining the reasons why Licensor rejected the proposed site. No site may be
used for the location of the Restaurant unless it is first accepted in writing
by Licensor.
(a) After a location for the Restaurant is accepted
by Licensor and acquired by Developer, the Location shall be described in
Attachment A to the Operating Agreement that will be executed by Developer in
connection with such Restaurant, which description shall be the legal
description and/or street address of the site at which the Restaurant is to be
located.
(3) At least six (6) months prior to the Projected Opening
Date for such Restaurant, Developer shall acquire by purchase or lease, at
Developer's expense, the site for the Restaurant as set forth below.
(a) If Developer intends to purchase the premises for
the Restaurant, Developer shall submit a copy of the proposed contract of sale
to Licensor for its written acceptance prior to Developer's execution of such
contract and shall furnish to Licensor a copy of the executed contract of sale
within ten (10) days after execution. If Developer intends to occupy the
premises of the Restaurant under a lease, Developer shall submit a copy of the
proposed lease to Licensor for Licensor's written acceptance prior to
Developer's execution of such lease and shall furnish to Licensor a copy of the
executed lease within ten (10) days after execution. No lease for the Restaurant
premises shall be accepted by Licensor unless a rider to the lease, prepared by
Licensor and executed by Licensor, Developer and the lessor, in substantially
the form attached as Attachment B, is attached to the lease and incorporated
therein. Licensor shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the proposed
lease or the proposed contract of sale to either accept, reject or propose
amendments to such documentation prior to its execution. If Licensor fails to
notify Developer of an objection to the proposed lease or the proposed contract
of sale within this time period, Developer may use such lease or contract of
sale; provided, however, the proposed contract or lease satisfies Licensor's
then current criteria and requirements for contracts or leases outlined in the
Manuals or as otherwise communicated to Developer by Licensor. These criteria
and requirements may include financial requirements, specific lease requirements
or other requirements that Licensor deems necessary. Licensor retains the right
to vary from any requirement, add new requirements or make exceptions to any
requirements in Licensor's sole discretion.
(b) Developer shall be responsible for obtaining all
zoning classifications and clearances which may be required by state or local
laws, ordinances or regulations or which may be necessary as a result of any
restrictive covenants relating to the Restaurant premises. Prior to beginning
the construction of the Restaurant, Developer shall (i) obtain all permits,
licenses and certifications (including licenses and permits to sell alcoholic
beverages at the Restaurant) required for the lawful construction or remodeling
and operation of the Restaurant, and (ii) certify in writing to Licensor that
the insurance coverage specified in Article XIII of the Operating Agreement is
in full force and effect and that all required approvals, clearances, permits
and certifications (including alcoholic beverage licenses and permits) have been
obtained. Upon request, Developer shall provide to Licensor additional copies of
Developer's insurance policies or certificates of insurance and copies of all
such approvals, clearances, permits and certifications.
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(c) Developer must independently obtain any
architectural, engineering and design services it deems necessary for the
construction of the Restaurant at its own expense from an architectural design
firm, which Licensor reserves the right to approve. Developer shall adapt the
prototypical architectural and design plans and specifications for construction
of the Restaurant provided to Developer by Licensor as necessary for the
construction of the Restaurant and shall submit such adapted plans to Licensor
for review. If Licensor determines, in its sole discretion, that any such plans
do not satisfy Licensor's architectural or design standards and specifications
for a full-service O'Charley's restaurant or are not consistent with the best
interests of the System, Licensor may prohibit the implementation of such plans,
and in this event will notify Developer of any objection(s) within thirty (30)
days of receiving such plans or such other time period as may be specified in
the Manuals. If Licensor fails to notify Developer of an objection to the plans
within this time period, Developer may use such plans, provided such plans
satisfy Licensor's then current architectural and design standards and
specifications for a full-service O'Charley's restaurant. If Licensor objects to
any such plans, it shall provide Developer with a reasonably detailed list of
changes necessary to make the plans acceptable. Licensor shall, upon a
resubmission of the plans with such changes, notify Developer within thirty (30)
days of receiving the resubmitted plans whether the plans are acceptable. If
such changes are not acceptable, Licensor shall notify Developer of such
objections as described above, and Developer shall resubmit such plans in
accordance with the procedures described above until such plans are accepted by
Licensor. If Licensor fails to notify Developer of any objection within such
time period, Developer may use the resubmitted plans. Developer acknowledges
that acceptance by Licensor of such plans does not constitute a representation,
warranty or guarantee, express or implied, by Licensor that such plans are free
of architectural or any design errors and thus, Licensor shall have no liability
to Developer or any other party with respect thereto.
(d) Prior to commencement of construction, Developer
must submit all requested information, including, but not limited to,
architectural and design plans, construction schedules and current budgets in
accordance with Licensor's request. As time is of the essence, Developer shall
timely commence and diligently pursue construction of the Restaurant.
Commencement of construction shall be defined as the time at which any site work
is initiated by or on behalf of Developer at the Location accepted for the
Restaurant. Site work includes, without limitation, paving of parking areas,
installing outdoor lighting and sidewalks, extending utilities and demolishing
of any existing premises, depending on whether the accepted Location for the
Restaurant is freestanding. During the time of construction or remodeling,
Developer shall provide Licensor with such periodic reports regarding the
progress of the construction or remodeling as may be reasonably requested by
Licensor or as required in the Manuals. In addition, Licensor shall make such
on-site inspections as it may deem reasonably necessary to evaluate such
progress. If during such inspections Licensor identifies instances where
Developer's construction is inconsistent with, or does not meet, Licensor's
standards, Licensor shall notify Developer in writing of such deficiencies, and
Developer shall correct such deficiencies prior to opening the Restaurant.
Developer shall notify Licensor of the scheduled date for completion of
construction no later than sixty (60) days prior to such date. Within a
reasonable time after the date of completion of construction, Licensor shall, at
its option, conduct an inspection of the completed Restaurant. Developer
acknowledges and agrees that Developer will not open the Restaurant for business
without written authorization of Licensor and that
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authorization to open shall be conditioned upon Developer's strict compliance
with this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PREREQUISITES TO OBTAINING LICENSES
A. Developer and the Controlling Principals understand and acknowledge
that the rights and duties set forth in this Agreement are personal to Developer
and its Controlling Principals (as applicable), are non-delegable and
non-assignable, and that Licensor has granted such rights in reliance on the
business skill, financial capacity and personal character of and expectations of
performance of the duties hereunder by Developer and the Controlling Principals.
Developer and the Controlling Principals have represented to Licensor that they
have entered this Agreement for the purpose of fully complying and with the
intention to fully comply with the Restaurant development obligations hereunder
and not for the purpose of reselling the development rights granted herein.
Developer and the Controlling Principals understand and agree that this
Agreement does not confer upon Developer a right to develop or license to
operate any Restaurant, but is intended by the parties to set forth the terms
and conditions which, if fully satisfied by Developer, shall entitle Developer
to obtain the right to develop and operate each Restaurant under an Operating
Agreement within the Territory.
B. In the event that Developer shall have obtained Licensor's
acceptance of a particular proposed site for a Restaurant and shall have paid to
Licensor all of the license fees due under this Agreement and the applicable
Operating Agreement, and if Licensor, in the exercise of its sole and absolute
discretion, has granted Developer, in writing, "Operational Approval,"
"Financial Approval," "Legal Approval" and "Ownership Approval" (collectively
the "Conditions"), then Licensor will grant Developer a license to operate a
Restaurant at the site in question. As used herein, Licensor will give Developer
Operational Approval, Financial Approval, Legal Approval and Ownership Approval
under the following circumstances:
(1) Operational Approval will be granted if Licensor has
determined, in the exercise of its sole discretion, that:
(a) Developer is in compliance with the Development
Schedule (including any extensions approved by Licensor in writing) and this
Agreement and has opened each Restaurant as required under the Development
Schedule (including any extensions approved by Licensor in writing);
(b) Developer and its Affiliates are in compliance
with any other agreement between Developer and its Affiliates and Licensor and
its Affiliates;
(c) Developer is conducting the operation of its
existing Restaurants, if any, and is capable of conducting the operation of each
proposed Restaurant required under the Development Schedule:
(i) in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Agreement and any amendments thereto;
(ii) in accordance with the provisions of
the respective Operating Agreements and any amendments
thereto; and
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(iii) in accordance with the standards,
specifications and procedures:
(A) set forth and described in the
Manuals (as defined in the Operating Agreement), as
such Manuals may be amended from time to time;
(B) as evaluated by Licensor, in
its sole discretion, in accordance with the
evaluation programs outlined in the Manuals; or
(C) as otherwise set forth by
Licensor in writing.
(2) Developer acknowledges and agrees that it is vital to
Licensor's interest that each of its operators be financially sound to avoid
failure of an O'Charley's restaurant and that such failure would adversely
affect the reputation and good name of Licensor and the System. In accordance
with the foregoing criteria, Financial Approval will be granted if:
(a) Developer and the Controlling Principals satisfy
Licensor's then-current financial criteria for developers and controlling
principals of O'Charley's restaurants with respect to Developer's operation of
its existing Restaurants, if any, and the proposed Restaurant;
(b) Developer and the Controlling Principals have
been and are faithfully performing all terms and conditions under each of the
existing Operating Agreements with Licensor, if any;
(c) Developer is not in default, and has not been in
default during the twelve (12) months preceding Developer's request for
financial approval, of any monetary obligations owed to Licensor or its
Affiliates under any Operating Agreement or other agreement between Developer or
any of its Affiliates and Licensor or any of its Affiliates; and
(d) Developer is not in default, and has not been in
default during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement, of
any financial covenant or monetary obligation with any of its lenders or
financing sources.
(3) Legal Approval will be granted if Developer has executed
and delivered to Licensor, in a timely manner, all information and documents
requested by Licensor prior to and as a basis for the issuance of individual
licenses or pursuant to any right granted to Developer by this Agreement or by
any Operating Agreement between Developer and Licensor, has taken such
additional actions in connection therewith as may be requested by Licensor from
time to time.
(4) Ownership Approval will be granted if:
(a) neither Developer nor any of its Controlling
Principals (as applicable) shall have transferred a Controlling Interest in
Developer; and
(b) Developer and the Controlling Principals upon
whom Licensor has relied to perform the duties under this Agreement shall
continue to own and exercise control over a Controlling Interest in Developer.
C. (1) If Licensor determines, in its sole discretion, that Developer
and the Controlling Principals:
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(a) have met all of the Conditions prior to the grant
of the right to establish each additional Restaurant, then Licensor shall grant
to Developer the right to develop such additional Restaurants pursuant to the
Development Schedule; or
(b) have not met one (1) or more of the Conditions,
Licensor may, (in addition to any other rights or remedies Licensor may have)
suspend, without extending the term of this Agreement, Developer's right to
develop Restaurants until the Conditions are satisfied in Licensor's sole
discretion, and re-state the Development Schedule (which may include a reduction
in the number of Restaurants and the number of Development Periods).
(2) The Conditions described above shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Agreement and shall apply with respect to any
Operating Agreement executed pursuant to this Development Agreement.
D. It is understood and agreed that the foregoing criteria apply to the
operational, financial, legal and ownership aspects of any Restaurant franchised
by Licensor in which Developer or any Controlling Principal has any legal or
equitable interest. It is further understood and agreed that Developer and the
Controlling Principals have an ongoing responsibility to operate each Restaurant
in which Developer or any Controlling Principal has any legal or equitable
interest in a manner which satisfies the foregoing requirements for Operational
Approval, Financial Approval, Legal Approval and Ownership Approval.
ARTICLE V
TERM
A. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement, the term
of this Agreement and all rights granted by Licensor under this Agreement shall
expire on the date on which Developer successfully and in a timely manner has
exercised all of the development rights and completed the development
obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the Development Schedule
(including, if applicable, any extension thereof under Section III(B)(3)).
B. As set forth in Section VII(E)(3), upon such expiration, Licensor
shall, subject to the terms of the Operating Agreements executed pursuant
hereto, have the right to develop, or authorize any other person or Entity to
develop, O'Charley's restaurants in the Territory and Developer shall have no
further rights with respect to the development of O'Charley's restaurants in the
Territory; provided, however, if an Operating Agreement is fully executed in
accordance with Article III, prior to the expiration of the Development
Schedule, Developer shall complete the development of such Restaurant subject to
the Operating Agreement and shall open and operate such Restaurant as provided
in the Operating Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF DEVELOPER
A. Developer and the Controlling Principals, as applicable, make the
following representations, warranties and covenants and accept the following
obligations:
(1) If Developer is a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership or other Entity, Developer make the following representations,
warranties and covenants to Licensor:
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(a) Developer is duly organized and validly existing
under the state law of its formation.
(b) Developer is duly qualified and is authorized to
do business in each jurisdiction in which its business activities or the nature
of the properties owned by it require such qualification.
(c) Developer's corporate charter, written operating
agreement or written partnership agreement shall at all times provide that the
activities of Developer are confined exclusively to the development and
operation of O'Charley's restaurants. Unless otherwise consented to by Licensor
in writing, Developer shall not use the Proprietary Marks as part of its
corporate or other legal name, and, in any event, shall obtain Licensor's
approval of such corporate or other legal name prior to applying for or filing
it with the applicable government authority.
(d) The execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within Developer's
corporate power, if Developer is a corporation, are permitted under Developer's
articles of organization and written operating agreement and have been duly
authorized by Developer, if Developer is a limited liability company, are
permitted under Developer's written partnership agreement and have been duly
authorized by Developer, if Developer is a partnership.
(e) If Developer is a corporation, copies of
Developer's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, other governing documents, any
amendments thereto, resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing entry into
and performance of this Agreement and any certificates, buy-sell agreements or
other documents restricting the sale or transfer of stock of the corporation,
and any other documents as may be reasonably required by Licensor, shall have
been furnished to Licensor prior to the execution of this Agreement; if
Developer is a limited liability company, copies of Developer's articles of
organization, operating agreement, any buy-sell agreements or other documents
restricting the sale or transfer of interests in the limited liability company,
and any other governing documents and any amendments thereto shall have been
furnished to Licensor prior to the execution of this Agreement; or, if Developer
is a partnership, copies of Developer's written partnership agreement, any
buy-sell agreements or other documents restricting the sale or transfer of
interests in the partnership, and any other governing documents and any
amendments thereto shall be furnished to Licensor prior to the execution of this
Agreement. Developer shall also provide to Licensor evidence of consent or
approval of the entry into and performance of this Agreement by the requisite
number or percentage of shareholders, members or partners, if such approval or
consent is required by statute or by Developer's Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws, articles of organization, operating agreement, written partnership
agreement or other governing documents, as applicable.
(f) If Developer is a corporation, limited liability
company or partnership, the ownership interests in Developer are accurately and
completely described in Attachment D. Further, if Developer is a corporation,
Developer shall maintain at all times a current list of all owners of record and
all beneficial owners of any class of voting securities in Developer, if
Developer is a limited liability company, Developer shall maintain at all times
a current list of all owners of an interest in the limited liability company,
or, if Developer is a partnership, Developer shall maintain at all times a
current list of all owners of an interest in the partnership. Developer shall
immediately provide a copy of the updated list to Licensor upon the
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occurrence of any change of ownership and otherwise shall make its list of
owners available to Licensor upon request.
(g) If, after the execution of this Agreement, any
person ceases to qualify as a Principal, or if any individual succeeds to or
otherwise comes to occupy a position which would, upon designation by Licensor,
qualify him as a Principal, Developer shall notify Licensor within five (5) days
after any such change and, upon designation of such person by Licensor as a
Principal, or as a Controlling Principal, as the case may be, such person shall
execute such documents and instruments (including, as applicable, this
Agreement) as may be required by Licensor to be executed by others in such
positions.
(h) If Developer is a corporation, Developer shall
maintain stop-transfer instructions against the transfer on its records of any
of its equity and voting securities and each certificate representing an equity
or voting security of the corporation shall have conspicuously endorsed upon it
a statement, in a form satisfactory to Licensor, that it is held subject to all
restrictions imposed upon assignments by this Agreement; provided, however, that
the requirements of this Section VI(A)(1)(h) shall not apply to the transfer of
equity securities of a Publicly-Held Entity that is otherwise approved to be the
Operator. If Developer is a limited liability company, its operating agreement
shall provide that ownership of an interest in the limited liability company is
held subject to all restrictions imposed upon assignments by this Agreement. If
Developer is a partnership, its written partnership agreement shall provide that
ownership of an interest in the partnership is held subject to all restrictions
imposed upon assignments by this Agreement.
(i) Developer and each of the Controlling Principals
have provided Licensor with the most recent financial statements of Developer
and each of the Controlling Principals. Developer shall provide an annual
balance sheet, income statement, statement of shareholders' equity and statement
of cash flows in the form prescribed by Licensor (which may be unaudited, unless
otherwise requested or required by Licensor) within one hundred twenty (120)
days after Developer's fiscal year end. Such financial statements present fairly
the financial position of Developer and each of the Controlling Principals, as
applicable, at the dates indicated therein and with respect to Developer, the
results of its operations, cash flow and owners' equity for the years then
ended. Developer agrees that it shall maintain at all times during the term of
this Agreement, sufficient working capital to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement. Each of the financial statements mentioned above shall be certified
as true, complete and correct by Developer's treasurer or chief financial
officer (or by the applicable Controlling Principal, as appropriate) and shall
have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied to all applicable periods involved. Developer's treasurer
or chief financial officer shall deliver to Licensor, simultaneously with the
financial statements mentioned above, a certificate certifying that Developer is
not in default of any of Developer's financial covenants or monetary obligations
with any of Developer's lenders or financing sources. No material liabilities,
adverse claims, commitments or obligations of any nature exist as of the date of
this Agreement, whether accrued, unliquidated, absolute, contingent or
otherwise, which are not reflected as liabilities on the financial statements of
Developer or such Controlling Principals or otherwise appropriately disclosed in
the notes thereto.
(j) Each of the Principals, except the Controlling
Principals, shall execute and bind themselves to the confidentiality and
non-competition covenants set forth in the Confidentiality and Non-Compete
Agreement attached hereto as Attachment C to this
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Agreement (see Sections IX(B)(2) and IX(I)). The Controlling Principals shall
jointly and severally guarantee Developer's performance of all of Developer's
obligations (including, but not limited to, the payment of fees), covenants and
agreements described in this Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the guaranty attached hereto as Attachment E, and do otherwise bind themselves
to the terms of this Agreement as stated herein.
(k) Developer and the Controlling Principals
acknowledge and agree, jointly and severally, that the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth above in Section VI(A)(l)(a)-(j)
are continuing obligations of Developer and the Controlling Principals, as
applicable. Developer and each Controlling Principal will cooperate with
Licensor in any efforts made by Licensor to verify compliance with such
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements.
(2) Upon the execution of this Agreement, Developer shall
designate and retain an individual to serve as Operating Principal of Developer
("Operating Principal"). If Developer is an individual, Developer shall perform
all obligations of Operating Principal. Operating Principal shall, during the
entire period he serves as such, meet the following qualifications:






