Exhibit 10.2
NOTE:
CERTAIN MATERIAL HAS BEEN OMMITTED FROM THIS AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO
A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 24b-2. THE
LOCATIONS OF THESE OMISSIONS ARE INDICATED THROUGHOUT THE AGREEMENT
BY THE FOLLOWING MARKINGS: [***].
Kiosk License Agreement
Wal-Mart
Stores East, LP, individually and only as to Stores (as defined
below) owned, leased, or operated in AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY,
ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN,
VT, VA, WI, WV; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., individually and only as to
Stores owned or leased in AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS,
MN, MT, NE, NV, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY; Wal-Mart Louisiana, LLC,
individually and only as to Stores owned or leased in Louisiana;
and Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, individually and only as to Stores
owned or leased in Texas (each referred to as
“Retailer” for purposes of this Kiosk License Agreement
as it applies to the Store) and H&R Block Services, Inc.,
operating H&R Block offices through its wholly owned
subsidiaries, (“Licensee”) enter into this Kiosk
License Agreement effective this 22 nd day of August
2007 (this “Agreement”) and agree as follows:
1.
Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
definitions apply:
A.
“Kiosk” or “Kiosks” means an area of space
in which Licensee conducts the Promotion (as defined below)
measuring six (6) feet deep by fifteen (15) feet wide
with privacy screens around the tax preparation areas that are at
least five (5) feet high.
B.
“Franchisee” or “Franchisees” means any
franchisee operating H&R Block offices.
C.
“Promotion” means the tax preparation services offered
and provided by Licensee and Licensee’s Franchisees (as
defined above) at the Kiosk in accordance with this
Agreement.
D.
“Full Tax Season” means the period beginning on or
about January 2 nd of a given year
through April 15 th of the same
year or such later date as the United State Internal Revenue
Service permits the filing of federal income tax returns without an
extension of the applicable Tax Season.
E.
“Peak Tax Season” means the period beginning on or
about January 2 nd of a given year
and ending on March 1 st of the same
year.
F.
“Tax Season” means the time in which Licensee is
granted a license to conduct the Promotion in a Kiosk and can
either be for the Full Tax Season or for the Peak Tax Season.
G.
“Tax Timeline” means a timeline describing the various
phases and requirements, and the deadlines for each, of the Store
(as defined below) selection process. An example of the Tax
Timeline is attached to, and incorporated into, this Agreement as
Exhibit B.
H.
“Tax Returns” means a federal income tax return(s) that
Licensee receives a fee for preparing.
I.
“Store” or “Stores” means the
“Wal-Mart” retail store operated by Retailer.
2.
Granting Language, Final List and Pre-Approved Locations.
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A.
Retailer grants to Licensee, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the right to conduct the Promotion on dates
specified in the applicable Tax Timeline. Retailer shall make each
Store on the Final List available to Licensee no later than January
2 nd of
the applicable Tax Season. Licensee may begin construction of the
Kiosk at any time after the Store is made available to Licensee,
provided that no construction is conducted on a Saturday or
Sunday.
B.
Retailer shall provide Licensee with the applicable Tax Timeline no
later than April 1 st of the year
preceding the applicable Tax Season.
(1) Each party shall perform all phases and meet all
requirements described in the applicable Tax Timeline in accordance
with the deadlines for each designated in the same Tax
Timeline.
(2) Retailer makes no guaranties that Licensee or
Licensee’s Franchisees will be allowed to conduct the
Promotion in the same Stores each Tax Season of this
Agreement.
C.
Retailer shall provide Licensee, on or before the date designated
in the applicable Tax Timeline, a final list of Stores in which
Licensee is granted a license to conduct the Promotion for the
applicable Tax Season (the “Final List”).
(1) Retailer’s obligation to provide Licensee with the
Final List extends only to those Stores that Licensee has submitted
to Retailer in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable
Tax Timeline.
(2) If
Retailer elects to close a Store included on the Final List prior
to or during the applicable Tax Season, Retailer will use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide Licensee with a
substitute Store in which the Promotion may be conducted, but
Licensee is under no obligation to accept the substitute Store.
However, Retailer will not be liable under any circumstances for
any loss (including, but not limited to, lost profits) sustained by
Licensee, Licensee’s Franchisee, or both, as a result of
either the Store closing or because a substitute location is not
provided.
(3) Both
Retailer and Licensee will be released from any further obligation
under this Agreement, and Retailer will return to Licensee the pro
rata share of any License Fee paid to Retailer in advance of
Licensee’s use of the license granted under this Agreement,
upon the occurrence of any of the following: (a) Retailer
fails to provide a substitute Store in which the Promotion may be
conducted; or (b) Retailer provides a substitute Store in
which the Promotion may be conducted but the substitute Store is
not the size of a “Wal-Mart Supercenter” and is not
within a three (3) mile radius of the original Store and
Licensee does not accept the substitute location.
D.
Licensee shall construct the Kiosk at its own expense and in
accordance with this Agreement and the applicable Tax
Timeline.
(1) All
construction by Licensee, as required by the preceding sentence,
must comply with applicable codes, regulations, and laws.
(2) Licensee’s obligations to construct the Kiosk, as
required by this Section 2D, includes, but is not limited to,
carpentry and utilities.
(3) Licensee shall install and maintain, at no cost to
Retailer, any telephone equipment required in the Kiosk and is
responsible for the equipment, installation, and service
charges.
(4) Licensee may use existing electrical utility service at
the Store in which a Kiosk is located for the basic operation of
the Kiosk at no additional charge over the amount set forth in
Section 7, below.
(5) No
construction may take place in a Store on the weekends.
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E.
Licensee and Licensee’s Franchisees shall conduct the
Promotion, and such ancillary products as designated in
Exhibit A (which is attached to and incorporated into this
Agreement), within any Store on the Final List from a Kiosk located
at one of the locations pre-approved by Retailer and designated in
Exhibit C, which is attached to and incorporated into this
Agreement, (the “Pre-Approved Location”).
(1) Retailer may relocate a Kiosk within the Store but has no
obligation to provide Licensee or Licensee’s Franchisee, for
any reason whatsoever, a substitute location for the Kiosk other
than one of the Pre-Approved Locations. In the event that Retailer
offers a substitute location for the Kiosk other than one of the
Pre-Approved Locations, Licensee will have no obligation to operate
the Promotion in the offered substitute location.
(2) Upon
the mutual consent of Retailer and Licensee, the Kiosk may be moved
within the Store but to a location other than a Pre-Approved
Location. If Retailer seeks Licensee’s consent to relocate
the Kiosk to a location other than a Pre-Approved Location, and if
Licensee declines to consent, Licensee and Retailer may each be
released from their respective obligations under this Agreement as
to the applicable Kiosk and Store, and Retailer will return to
Licensee the pro rata share of any License Fee paid to Retailer in
advance of Licensee’s use of the license granted under this
Agreement.
(3) If
Retailer relocates a Kiosk (whether to a Pre-Approved Location or
to a location other than a Pre-Approved Location to which Licensee
consented) after Licensee installs telecommunications at the Kiosk,
or if Retailer fails to notify Licensee of a pending relocation
prior to Licensee installing telecommunications at the Kiosk,
Retailer will reimburse Licensee for any direct costs Licensee
incurs by moving and re-establishing telecommunications at the new
location.
(4) Other
than as provided in the preceding paragraph, Retailer is not liable
to Licensee or to Licensee’s Franchisees for any loss as a
result of the actual or requested relocation of the Kiosk
including, but not limited to, lost profits.
3.
Term and Renewal.
A. This
Agreement commences on the effective date first noted above and
continues until 11:59 pm central time on May 30, 2009 (the
“Initial Term”), unless terminated earlier in
accordance with Section 14, below.
B. This
Agreement automatically renews for one (1) year at the
expiration of the Initial Term.
4.
Hours of Operation.
A.
Licensee and Licensee’s Franchisees shall conduct the
Promotion at each Kiosk during the following hours, unless
prohibited by law:
(1) During
the period from January 2 nd (or such later
date as Licensee begins operating in a particular Store) through
January 21 st , at least
eight (8) hours per day Monday through Friday and at least
five (5) hours per day each Saturday and each Sunday;
(2) During
the period from January 22 nd through
February 29 th , at least ten
(10) hours per day Monday through Saturday, and at least five
(5) hours per day each Sunday;
(3) During
the period from March 1 st through April 7
th , at
least seven and one-half (7 1 / 2 ) hours per day Monday through Friday, at
least ten (10) hours per day each Saturday, and at least five
(5) hours per day each Sunday; and
(4) During
the period from April 8 th through the end
of the applicable Tax Season, at least ten (10) hours per day
Monday through Saturday and at least five (5) hours per day
each Sunday.
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B.
Licensee shall staff, and shall cause Licensee’s Franchisees
to staff, each Kiosk with at least one (1) person at all times
required by the preceding paragraph.
5.
Signage.
A.
Licensee shall post in a conspicuous location on the Kiosk signs
informing prospective customers:
(1) That
Licensee provides to customers, without charge to the customer, an
estimate of cost for Licensee preparing the customer’s Tax
Returns;
(2) Listing a toll free telephone number that customers may
contact Licensee to address any problems; and
(3) Listing the Hours of Operation required in Section 4,
above.
B.
Retailer shall not permit advertising at any Store where a Kiosk is
located by any third party relating to the operation of a tax
preparation service or related business.
6.
Maintenance.
A.
Licensee shall maintain the Kiosk and keep the Kiosk clean, hazard
free, and safe for customers and associates.
B.
Retailer shall maintain all areas of the Store other than the
Kiosk.
7.
Licensee Fee; Commission; and Report.
A.
Licensee shall pay to Retailer the applicable annual License Fee,
as designated in Exhibit D, which is attached to and
incorporated into this Agreement, in three (3) equal
installments, with the first payment on or before the third
business day prior to the end of January in the applicable Tax
Season; the second payment on or before the third business day
prior to the end of February in the applicable Tax Season; and the
third payment on or before the third business day prior to the end
of March in the applicable Tax Season.
B.
Licensee also shall pay to Retailer on or before April 30
th of
the applicable Tax Season the Commission Rent designated on
Exhibit D based on the number of Tax Returns prepared for
customers of a particular Store.
C.
Licensee shall submit to Retailer all payments due under this
Agreement via wire transfer along with an excel spreadsheet
detailing the distribution of payment for each Store in which a
Kiosk is located. Licensee guarantees all payments due Retailer
under this Agreement. Retailer shall provide account numbers for
the wire transfer.
D.
Licensee shall submit to Retailer contemporaneously with the
Commission Rent a report showing the exact number of Tax Returns
Licensee and Licensee’s Franchisees prepared at each Kiosk
for customers of a particular Store during the applicable Tax
Season.
E. In
the event that a Store is changed from a Division 1 format or a
Supercenter format to another format during a Tax Season, the
amount Licensee owes to Retailer under this Agreement for the
entire applicable Tax Season must be prorated based on the Store
designation of the Store during the applicable Tax Season.
F.
Licensee’s failure to comply with this Section 7 or with
Exhibit D is a material breach of this Agreement.
8.
Indemnification.
A. For
the purposes of this Agreement:
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(1)
“Claim” means any action, cause of action, claim, or
any other assertion of a legal right; damages including, but not
limited to, consequential, future, incidental, liquidated, special,
and punitive damages; diminution in value; fines; judgments;
liabilities; losses including, but not limited to, economic loss
and lost profits; regulatory actions, sanctions, or settlement
payments; and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys,
accountants, experts, and investigators.
(2)
“Indemnitee” means Retailer; Retailer’s
subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, managers, members, directors,
stockholders, employees, agents, and representatives; and
Retailer’s lessor or other party to an agreement with
Retailer related to Retailer’s purchase, lease, or use of the
Store or the underlying land, which Retailer has a contractual
obligation to indemnify for Claims in connection with the
Store.
(3)
“Indemnified Claim” means a Claim for which one party
is obligated to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other
party.
B.
Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Retailer
against any Claim, even if the Claim is groundless, fraudulent, or
false, raised or asserted by a third party, including a government
entity, in connection with or resulting from any actual or
alleged:
A. Breach of
this Agreement by Licensee or by Licensee’s
Franchisees;
B. Negligence
or willful misconduct by Licensee or Licensee’s Franchisees,
while on Retailer’s property or in relation to
Licensee’s performance under this Agreement;
C. The passive
negligence, secondary liability, vicarious liability, strict
liability, or breach of a statutory or non-delegable duty of
Indemnitees, related, directly or indirectly, to any matter covered
under this Section 8B or to the performance under this
Agreement of Licensee or Licensee’s Franchisees; and
D. Any criminal
conduct by Licensee or any of Licensee’s Franchisees while on
Retailer’s property or in relation to Licensee’s
performance under this Agreement.
C.
Licensee’s obligation to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless
the Indemnitees under this Section 8 is independent of, and not
limited by, any of Licensee’s obligations under
Section 9, below, even if damages or benefits are payable
under worker’s compensation or other statutes or if Licensee
breaches its obligations under this Section 8.
D.
Licensee waives any right, at law or in equity, to indemnity or
contribution from the Indemnitee, except as provided in
Section 8F, below.
E.
Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Indemnitee
unless and until a final judicial decision, from which there is no
further right to appeal (including if such right to appeal has
expired due to time limitations or other procedural causes),
determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified,
defended, and held harmless under this Agreement.
F.
Retailer shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensee,
Licensee’s Franchisees, and Licensee’s affiliates,
subsidiaries, successors and assigns, officers, directors, agents
and employees against all Claims for property damage and personal
injury, including death, suffered, incurred, or asserted by any
person arising solely out of an act or omission by Retailer,
arising out of operations of the Store in which a Kiosk is located,
or both. Retailer is not liable to Licensee or Licensee’s
Franchisees, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns,
officers, and directors, for any lost profits.
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G.
Indemnitee will not be liable to Licensee, nor to any of
Licensee’s Franchisees, for any Claim relating to the
negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional or criminal conduct
of any of Licensee’s customers or Franchisees.
H. Each
party receiving notice, from whatever source, of an Indemnified
Claim shall upon receipt of such notice:
(1) Notify
the Indemnitee, as soon as is commercially practical, of the
assertion, filing, or service of any Indemnified Claim; and
(2) Immediately take all appropriate actions necessary to
protect and defend the party that must be indemnified, defended,
and held harmless under this Agreement against the Indemnified
Claim.
I.
Licensee shall cause the counsel engaged to defend the Indemnitee
with respect to the Indemnified Claim to acknowledge receipt of, to
accept, and to represent Indemnitee’s interest regarding the
Indemnified Claim in accordance with “Wal-Mart’s
Indemnity Counsel Guidelines.”
(1) If, in
its sole discretion, the Indemnitee determines that a conflict of
interest exists between the Indemnitee and the indemnifying counsel
or that the indemnifying counsel is not pursuing a defense for the
Indemnitee that is in the Indemnitee’s best interests, the
Indemnitee may request that Licensee replace the indemnifying
counsel.
(2) Licensee may not unreasonably withhold its consent to
replace the indemnifying counsel and will replace the indemnifying
counsel timely or cause the indemnifying counsel to be replaced
timely.
(3) If
Licensee unreasonably withholds consent or the indemnifying counsel
is not timely replaced after the Indemnitee requested, the
Indemnitee may replace the indemnifying counsel, and Licensee will
reimburse the Indemnitee any costs incurred by the Indemnitee in
replacing the counsel.
J. Under
this Section 8 survives the termination or expiration of this
Agreement until applicable law fully and finally bars all Claims
against the Indemnitee. ALL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL
BE ENFORCED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW FOR
THE BENEFIT OF THE INDEMNITEES. In the event that applicable law
affects the validity or enforceability of this Section 8, then
the applicable law will operate to amend this Section 8 to the
minimum extent necessary to bring the provisions into conformity
with the applicable law. This Section 8, as modified, will
continue in full force and effect.
K. Any
failure by Licensee to comply with this Section 8 is a
material breach of this Agreement, which does not relieve Licensee
of its obligations under this Section 8.
9.
Insurance.
A.
Licensee shall procure and maintain during the Initial Term and any
renewal term of this Agreement, at no expense to Retailer, the
following insurance coverage:
(1) Worker’s Compensation insurance with statutory
limits, or if no statutory limits exist, with minimum limits of
five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) per occurrence, and
Employer’s Liability coverage with minimum limits of
($500,000), for each employee for bodily injury by accident and for
each employee for bodily injury by disease. Licensee shall cause
Insurer (as defined below) to issue an endorsement providing
stopgap insurance in monopolistic states in which a Kiosk may be
located.
(2) Commercial General Liability insurance with a three
million dollar ($3,000,000) minimum limit per occurrence for each
Store in which a Kiosk is located or with per location aggregate
limits for each Store in which a Kiosk is located. This Commercial
General Liability policy may not contain an exclusion for
contractual liability assumed by Licensee in this Agreement unless
such coverage is
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provided by a
separate policy with minimum limits equal to the Commercial General
Liability insurance limits designated in the preceding
sentence.
B.
Licensee may satisfy the minimum limits required in
Section 9A(1), Section 9A(2), and Section 9A(3), by
procuring and maintaining Umbrella/Excess Liability insurance on an
umbrella basis, in excess over, and no less broad than the primary
liability coverage; with the same inception and expiration dates as
the primary liability coverage it is in excess of; with minimum
limits necessary to satisfy the required primary minimum limits;
and which “drop down” for any exhausted aggregate
limits of the primary liability coverage. Licensee shall cause
Insurer (as defined below) to issue an endorsement to any policy
Licensee procures in satisfaction of its obligations in this
paragraph providing per location per occurrence limits or with per
location aggregate limits for each Store in which a Kiosk is
located and listing as Additional Insured the parties described
below.
C.
Licensee shall procure and maintain all insurance policies required
in this Section 9 from an insurance carrier with a rating of
B+ or better and a financial Size Category rating of VII or better,
as rated in the A.M. Best Key Rating Guide for Property and
Casualty Insurance Companies (the “Insurer”).
D.
Additional Insureds are Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., its Subsidiaries and
its Affiliates, and the directors, officers, shareholders,
employees, agents, and representatives, and the respective
successors and assigns of each, and any party Retailer has a
contractual obligation to indemnify for Claims in connection with
the Store.
E. All
insurance policies required by this Section 9 must be primary,
not in excess, and non-contributory.
F.
Licensee shall submit to Retailer no later than January 2
nd of
the applicable Tax Season, Certificates of Insurance and
endorsements evidencing Licensee’s compliance with this
Section 9.
(1) All
Certificates of Insurance must show as Certificate Holder
“Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., its subsidiaries and
affiliates” at 1300 S.E. 8
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