Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2013

No. 333-189632

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 3

To

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware
  5311
  80-0895227
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1830 Route 130 North

Burlington, New Jersey 08016

(609) 387-7800

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

 

 

Paul C. Tang, Esq.

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

1830 Route 130 North

Burlington, New Jersey 08016

(609) 387-7800

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

 

 

With copies to:

 

Joshua N. Korff
Christopher A. Kitchen
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 446-4800
  James J. Clark
Corey Wright
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(212) 701-3000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:  ¨

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)(2)

  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

  $175,000,000   $23,870*

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2) Includes the offering price of any additional shares of common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase.
 * Previously paid.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This amendment is being filed by Burlington Stores, Inc. (formerly known as Burlington Holdings, Inc.) solely to file certain exhibits. No changes have been made to Part I of the Registration Statement or other sections of Part II. Accordingly, they have been omitted.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 16. Exhibits

 

(1) Exhibits: The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement.

See the attached exhibit index.

 

II-1


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Burlington, State of New Jersey, on September 10, 2013.

 

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.
By:   /s/ Thomas A. Kingsbury
  Name:   Thomas A. Kingsbury
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

* * * *

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the date indicated below:

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Thomas A. Kingsbury

Thomas A. Kingsbury

  

President, Chief Executive

Officer and Director

  September 10, 2013

*

Todd Weyhrich

  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

September 10, 2013

*

John Crimmins

  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

 

September 10, 2013

*

Joshua Bekenstein

   Director  

September 10, 2013

*

Jordan Hitch

   Director  

September 10, 2013

*

Tricia Patrick

   Director  

September 10, 2013

*

Mark Verdi

   Director  

September 10, 2013

*

Paul J. Sullivan

   Director  

September 10, 2013

 

*  

/s/ Robert LaPenta, Jr.

  
  Robert LaPenta, Jr.   
  as Attorney-in-fact   
    

 

II-2


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.
 

Description

1.1¥   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1¥   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Burlington Stores, Inc.
3.2¥   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Burlington Stores, Inc.
3.3¥   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Burlington Stores, Inc. (formerly known as Burlington Holdings, Inc.).
3.3.1¥   Form of Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation.
3.4¥   Bylaws of Burlington Stores, Inc. (formerly known as Burlington Holdings, Inc.).
4.1(10)   Indenture, dated February 24, 2011, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the guarantors signatory thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB.
4.2(10)   Form of 10.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3(15)   Indenture, dated February 20, 2013, among Burlington Holdings, LLC, Burlington Holdings Finance, Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association.
4.4(15)   Form of 9.00%/9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (included in Exhibit 4.3).
5.1¥   Form of Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
10.1(10)   Credit Agreement, dated February 24, 2011, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc., the facility guarantors signatory thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent, the lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, as joint bookrunners and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint arrangers.
10.1.1(14)   First Amendment, dated May 16, 2012, to the Credit Agreement, dated February 24, 2011, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc., the facility guarantors signatory thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent, the lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, as joint bookrunners and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint arrangers.
10.1.2(15)   Amendment No. 2, dated February 15, 2013, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the facility guarantors signatory thereto, each lender party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
10.1.3(16)   Amendment No. 3, dated May 17, 2013, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the facility guarantors signatory thereto, each lender party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
10.2(10)   First Amendment, dated February 24, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, as Lead Borrower, the Borrowers and the Facility Guarantors party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC and Regions Bank, as Co-Syndication Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents and General Electric Capital Corporation, US Bank, National Association and Suntrust Bank as Senior Managing Agents.

 

II-3


Exhibit
No.
 

Description

10.3(12)   Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 2, 2011, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, as Lead Borrower, the Borrowers and the Facility Guarantors party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as co-syndication agents, and Suntrust Bank and U.S. Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents.
10.4(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of PNC Bank, National Association.
10.5(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of Siemens Financial Services, Inc.
10.6(8)   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated January 15, 2010, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC.
10.7(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of National City Business Credit, Inc.
10.8(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.
10.9(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of HSBC Business Credit (USA), Inc.
10.10(1)   Revolving Credit Note, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of Sovereign Bank.
10.11(8)   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated January 15, 2010, by the Borrowers party thereto in favor of Capital One Leverage Finance Corp.
10.12(1)   Form of Swingline Note.
10.13(1)   Guaranty, dated as of April 13, 2006, by the Facility Guarantors party thereto in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent.
10.14(1)   Security Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, by and among each of the Borrowers party thereto, each of the Facility Guarantors party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent.
10.15(1)   Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, by and among each of the Borrowers party thereto, each of the Facility Guarantors party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent.
10.16(1)   Pledge Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Burlington Coat Factory Realty Corp., Burlington Coat Factory Purchasing, Inc., K&T Acquisition Corp., Burlington Coat Factory of New York, LLC, Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Baytown, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory of Texas, Inc., as the Pledgors, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent.
10.17+(8)   Employment Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2009, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Joyce Manning Magrini.
10.17.1+(8)   Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Joyce Manning Magrini.
10.17.2+ (19)   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Joyce Manning Magrini.

 

II-4


Exhibit
No.
 

Description

10.18+(2)   Employment Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2007, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Todd Weyhrich.
10.18.1+(3)   Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2008, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Todd Weyhrich.
10.18.2+(17)   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Todd Weyhrich.
10.19+(4)   Employment Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2008, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc., and Thomas A. Kingsbury.
10.19.1+(19)   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc., and Thomas A. Kingsbury.
10.20+(9)   Employment Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2008, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Fred Hand.
10.20.1+†   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Fred Hand.
10.21+(13)   Employment Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Hobart P. Sichel.
10.21.1+(17)   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Hobart P. Sichel.
10.22+(17)   Employment Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Paul Metcalf.
10.22.1+(17)   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Paul Metcalf.
10.23+(3)   Employment Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2008, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Marc Katz.
10.23.1+†   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Marc Katz.
10.24+(1)   Employment Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Paul Tang.
10.24.1+†   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2007, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Paul Tang.
10.24.2+†   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Paul Tang.
10.25+(17)   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2009, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Michael Metheny.
10.25.1+(17)   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2012, by and between Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Michael Metheny.
10.26+(1)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement Pursuant to Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. 2006 Management Incentive Plan.

 

II-5


Exhibit
No.
 

Description

10.27+(1)   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.28+(1)   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2006, between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.29+(1)   Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. 2006 Management Incentive Plan.
10.29.1+(4)   Amendment No. 1 to the Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. Management Incentive Plan dated as of December 2, 2008.
10.29.2+(5)   Amendment No. 2 to the Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. 2006 Management Incentive Plan dated as of March 19, 2009.
10.29.3+(7)   Amendment No. 3 to the Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. 2006 Management Incentive Plan dated as of September 14, 2009.
10.30+(5)   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.31+(5)   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.32+(5)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.33+(5)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.34+(5)   Form of Initial Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.35+(5)   Form of Initial Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.36+(5)   Form of Subsequent Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.37+(5)   Form of Subsequent Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.38(17)   Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2013, by and among Burlington Holdings, Inc. and the investors and managers from time to time party thereto.
10.39(17)   Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2013, by and among Burlington Holdings, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and Bain Capital Partners, LLC.
10.40+†   Burlington Holdings, Inc. 2006 Management Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated June 15, 2013).
10.41(10)   Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 24, 2011, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the guarantors signatory thereto, Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporation and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
10.42(17)   Termination Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2013, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, Inc., Bain Capital Integral Investors, LLC, Bain Capital Fund IX, LLC, BCIP Associates-G and BCIP TCV, LLC.

 

II-6


Exhibit
No.
  

Description

10.43¥    Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement.
10.44+¥    Burlington Stores, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
10.45+†    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to Burlington Holdings, Inc.’s 2006 Management Incentive Plan, between Burlington Holdings, Inc. and Employees without Employment Agreements.
10.46+†    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to Burlington Holdings, Inc.’s 2006 Management Incentive Plan, between Burlington Holdings, Inc. and Employees with Employment Agreements.
10.47+†    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to Burlington Holdings, Inc.’s 2006 Management Incentive Plan, dated as of June 17, 2013, between Burlington Holdings, Inc. and Tom Kingsbury.
21.1¥    List of Subsidiaries of Burlington Stores, Inc.
23.1†    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2¥    Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1†    Power of Attorney (previously included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).

 

* To be filed by amendment.
+ Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement.
¥ Filed herewith.
Previously filed as an Exhibit to our Registration Statement No. 333-189632 on Form S-1, as amended, filed on June 27, 2013.
(1) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-137916, filed on October 10, 2006.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 17, 2007.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2008.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2009 filed on April 14, 2009.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2009.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009 filed on August 27, 2009.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 28, 2009 filed on January 12, 2010.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Transition Report on Form 10-K/T for the transition period ended January 30, 2010 filed on April 30, 2010.
(9) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 1, 2008 filed on April 15, 2008.
(10) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2011.
(11) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-175594, filed on July 15, 2011.
(12) Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2011.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 filed on April 20, 2012.

 

II-7


(14) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2012.
(15) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2013.
(16) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2013.
(17) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013 filed on April 26, 2013.
(18) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 4, 2013 filed on June 18, 2013.
(19) Incorporated by reference to Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 27, 2012 filed on December 11, 2012.

 

II-8

EX-1.1

Exhibit 1.1

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

            Shares of Common Stock

Underwriting Agreement

                    , 20    

J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

As Representatives of the

    several Underwriters listed

    in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), an aggregate of             shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Underwritten Shares”) and, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional             shares of common stock of the Company (the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares”. The shares of Common Stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock”.

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:

1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement (File No. 333-189632), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Shares. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.


At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth on Annex B, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated                     , 2013 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex B hereto.

“Applicable Time” means             [A/P].M., New York City time, on             , 2013.

2. Purchase of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(a) The Company agrees, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price per share (the “Purchase Price”) of $        .

In addition, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company the Option Shares at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.

If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make.

The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date or later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Except in the case of Option Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date, any such notice shall be given at least three business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.

(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Prospectus. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.

(c) Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives at the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on                     , 2013, or at such other time or place on the same or

 

2


such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “Closing Date”, and the time and date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “Additional Closing Date”.

Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct. The certificates for the Shares will be made available for inspection and packaging by the Representatives at the office of DTC or its designated custodian not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(d) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, none of the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and no Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(b) Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such

 

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Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex B hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(d) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(e) Financial Statements. The financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and

 

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the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), as applicable, and present fairly the consolidated financial position of the entities to which they relate as of and at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, as applied in the United States, on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto. The financial data set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” fairly present the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(f) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the financial condition or in the earnings, business, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such change is called a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.

(g) Organization and Good Standing. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing (where such concept is legally relevant) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation (except for such jurisdictions where the failure to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change) and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, in the case of the Company, to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Each of the Company and each subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing or equivalent status (where such concept is legally relevant) in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement.

(h) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization”; all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights; except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights (including, without

 

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limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares and except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, except as may exist pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 24, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 16, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 2 dated as of February 15, 2013 and as amended by Amendment No. 3 dated as of May 17, 2013, among Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the several banks and other institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the other parties thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Loan Facility”) or that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 15, 2010, as amended by the First Amendment and Consent to Credit Agreement dated February 24, 2011 and as amended and restated by the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 2, 2011, by and among Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc., Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, the facility guarantors party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the lenders party thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ABL Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) or any other debt instrument of the Company described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(i) Stock Options. With respect to the stock options (the “Stock Options”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company Stock Plans”), (i) each Stock Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code (as defined below) so qualifies, (ii) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company of granting, Stock Options prior to, or otherwise coordinating the grant of Stock Options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its subsidiaries or their results of operations or prospects.

(j) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

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(k) The Shares. The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(l) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or bylaws or similar organizational documents or is in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (“Default”) under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract, franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (each, an “Existing Instrument”), except for such Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any subsidiary, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than liens securing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any subsidiary, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, order and regulations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters or that have been obtained on or prior to the date of this Agreement. As used herein, a “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition which gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(m) Legal Proceedings. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened (i) against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) which has as the subject thereof any property owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, where in any such case there is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding could be determined adversely to the Company or such subsidiary and, if determined adversely to the Company or such subsidiary, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, is threatened or imminent.

 

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(n) Independent Accountants. Deloitte & Touche LLP, which expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public or certified public accountants within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and the Commission, and any non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP to the Company or any of its subsidiaries have been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(o) Title to Properties. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all the properties and assets reflected as owned in the financial statements referred to in Section 3(e) hereof (or elsewhere in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus), in each case free and clear of any security interests, mortgages, liens, encumbrances, equities, claims and other defects, except for (i) liens securing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and (ii) such liens as do not materially and adversely affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or such subsidiary. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal property held under lease by the Company or any subsidiary are held under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or such subsidiary.

(p) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, licenses, approvals, trade secrets and other similar rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) reasonably necessary to conduct their businesses as now conducted; and the expected expiration of any of such Intellectual Property Rights would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice of infringement or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others, which infringement or conflict, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse Change.

(q) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

(r) Company Not an “Investment Company”. The Company has been advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder). The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the Shares will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of Investment Company Act, and the Company will conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.

(s) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them except (i) for any payments as may be being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company has established adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States or (ii) where the failure to make such filings or payment would not,

 

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individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 3(e) hereof in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries have not been finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.

(t) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each subsidiary possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Change.

(u) Compliance with Labor Laws. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (C) no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, no union organizing activities taking place and (ii) there has been no violation of any federal, state or local law relating to discrimination in hiring, promotion or pay of employees or of any applicable wage or hour laws.

(v) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change: (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law or regulation relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products (collectively, “Materials of Environmental Concern”), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), which violation includes, without limitation, noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations required for the operation of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries under applicable Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions thereof, nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries received any written communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation with respect to which the Company has received written notice, and no written notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental responses costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, attorneys’ fees or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively, “Environmental Claims”), pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the

 

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Company or any of its subsidiaries or any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law; and (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that would result in a violation of any Environmental Law or form the basis of a potential Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or against any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law.

(w) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties). On the basis of such review and the amount of its established reserves, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.

(x) Compliance with ERISA. The Company and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended, “ERISA,” which term, as used herein, includes the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations described in Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the “Code,” which term, as used herein, includes the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any material “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA). Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(y) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company by others within the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably effective to perform the functions for which they were established subject to the limitations of any such control system; the Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the

 

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design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

(z) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of accounting controls that is in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and is sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(aa) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured by recognized, financially sound institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally deemed adequate and customary for their businesses. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither of the Company nor any subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied.

(bb) Anti-Corruption. None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA or the 2010 Bribery Act of the United Kingdom (the “UK Bribery Act”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA or the UK Bribery Act and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA or the UK Bribery Act and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith. “FCPA” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(cc) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

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(dd) No Conflict with OFAC Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(ee) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and other than restrictions relating to distributable reserves and similar concepts contained in the certificate of incorporation or similar charter documents, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

(ff) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(gg) No Registration Rights. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Shares.

(hh) No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(ii) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(jj) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors have not, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors, respectively, failed to comply with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).

(kk) Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

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4. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act and will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.

(c) Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed or distributed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information ; (v) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event or development within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any

 

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jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(e) Ongoing Compliance. (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

(h) Clear Market. For a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any

 

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offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, other than the Shares to be sold hereunder and any shares of Stock of the Company issued upon the exercise of options granted under Company Stock Plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

If the Representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 6(l) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds”.

(j) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.

(k) Exchange Listing. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”).

(l) Reports. For a period of three years from the date of this Agreement, so long as the Shares are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements filed with the Commission; provided the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system.

(m) Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

(n) Filings. The Company will file with the Commission such reports as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not used, authorized use of, referred to or participated in the planning for use of, and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any

 

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“free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex B or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).

(b) It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission; provided that Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex C hereto without the consent of the Company; provided further that any Underwriter using such term sheet shall notify the Company, and provide a copy of such term sheet to the Company, prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the first use of such term sheet.

6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.

(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(c) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Applicable Time and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, if there are any debt securities or preferred stock of, or guaranteed by, the Company or any of its subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded any such debt securities or preferred stock and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of any such debt securities or preferred stock (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).

(d) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(g) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in

 

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the Pricing Disclosure Package (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(e) Officer’s Certificate. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of a senior executive officer of the Company who is satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that such officer has carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officer, the representations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(d) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) above.

(f) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided, that the letter delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to such Closing Date or such Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Annex A hereto.

(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and 10b-5 statement of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares.

(j) Good Standing. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authority of such jurisdiction.

 

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(k) Exchange Listing. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

(l) Lock-up Agreements. The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and directors of the Company relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be full force and effect on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(m) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, (ii) or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the

 

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Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the statements set forth in the first two sentences of the third paragraph, the twelfth paragraph, the thirteenth paragraph, the fourteenth paragraph and the thirty-third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” in the Registration Statement.

(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representatives and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such

 

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Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to paragraph (d) above were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e), in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Shares exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to paragraphs (d) and (e) are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 paragraphs (a) through (e) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

8. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by any of the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over the counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the

 

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offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

10. Defaulting Underwriter.

(a) If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date as compared to the number of shares that all non-defaulting Underwriters agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

 

21


11. Payment of Expenses.

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (iv) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the required registration or qualification of the Shares under the state or foreign securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of any reasonably requested Blue Sky Memorandum (including the reasonable related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (v) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vi) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (vii) all expenses and application fees (including the legal fees of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred and invoiced in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA; (viii) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors, except that the Company and the Underwriters will each pay 50% of the cost of privately chartered airplanes used for such purposes; and (ix) all expenses and application fees related to the listing of the Shares on the Exchange. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section 11, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resales of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offer they make.

(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Shares for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

13. Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in Sections 3, 7 and 15(c) of this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters.

14. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City and (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

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15. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o J. P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (fax: (212) 622-8358); Attention Equity Syndicate Desk. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at 1830 Route 130 North, Burlington New Jersey 08016, (fax: (609) 239-9675); Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

(b) Authority of Representatives. Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated shall be binding upon the Underwriters.

(c) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state, without regard to principles of conflict of laws that would result in the application of any law other than the laws of the state of New York.

(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

(e) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(f) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

16. USA Patriot Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,

 

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

By:        
 

Name:

Title:

Accepted:                     , 20    

J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

By:        
 

Name:

Title:

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By:        
 

Name:

Title:

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                               INCORPORATED

By:        
 

Name:

Title:

For themselves and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

 

S-1


Schedule 1

 

Underwriter

  

Number of Shares

J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                      Incorporated

  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

[                    ]

  

[                    ]

  

[                    ]

  

[                    ]

  
  

Total

  
  

 


Annex A

[Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company]


Annex B

 

a. Pricing Disclosure Package

[list each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to be included in the Pricing Disclosure Package]

 

b. Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters

[set out key information included in script that will be used by Underwriters to confirm sales]


Annex C

Burlington Stores, Inc.

Pricing Term Sheet

[TO COME]


Exhibit A

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

                    , 20    

J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                     Incorporated

As Representatives of the

      several Underwriters listed

      in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Re:    Burlington Stores, Inc. --- Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that you, as Representatives of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of the prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, except for a demand for registration in which (i) no filing of a registration statement is made or required to be made during the 180 day period referred to above and (ii) no disclosure of such demand is made during the 180 day period referred to above, in each case of (1), (2) and (3) above, other than (A) the Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (B) transfers of shares of


Common Stock as a bona fide gift or gifts, (C) transfers of shares of Common Stock to the undersigned’s subsidiaries, affiliates, members, limited partners or stockholders of, or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by, or under common control or management with, the undersigned, (D) transfer to any trusts, limited partnership or limited liability company for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or an “immediate family member” (as defined in Rule 16c-1 under the Exchange Act) of the undersigned, (E) any transfer by will or intestate succession upon the death of the undersigned, (F) transfers to the Company in connection with the exercise (including cashless exercise) of convertible securities or options to purchase Securities pursuant to existing employee benefit plans identified in the Prospectus, (G) transfers pursuant to a purchase agreement entered into by the Company in connection with a sale of 100% of the Company, (H) transfers to the Company for the purpose of satisfying any tax liability (including estimated taxes) due as a result of the exercise of options or as a result of the vesting of equity awards held by the undersigned, (I) with respect to any Securities which were acquired by the undersigned in the open market after completion of the Offering, (J) entry into any sales plan that complies with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act; provided that no sales shall be made under such plan during the 180-day period referred to above and (K) in the event any stockholder that is subject to a lockup agreement substantially in the form of this letter agreement is permitted to conduct a registered, secondary offering of Securities during the 180-day period referred to above and the undersigned is entitled to tag along rights with respect to such sale, to the extent of the Securities entitled to tag along rights in such secondary offering and only to the extent sold as part of such offering; provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D) and (E), each donee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph; provided, further, that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D), (H) or (J), no filing by any party (donor, donee, transferor, transferee or the Company) under the Exchange Act, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the 180-day period referred to above); and provided, further, that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (F), any filing by any party under the Exchange Act, or other public announcement shall be required to state that such transfer or distribution was to the Company in connection with the exercise of convertible securities or options or the vesting of equity awards in connection with an employee benefit plan. If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters agree that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Letter Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.


In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from, all obligations under this Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.

This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

Very truly yours,

 

[NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]

By:    

 

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit B

[Form of Waiver of Lock-up]

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Corporation

Public Offering of Common Stock

, 20    

[Name and Address of

Officer or Director

Requesting Waiver]

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]:

This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the offering by Burlington Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) of             shares of common stock, $[        ] par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company and the lock-up letter dated             , 20     (the “Lock-up Letter”), executed by you in connection with such offering, and your request for a [waiver] [release] dated             , 20     , with respect to             shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”).

The Representatives hereby agree to [waive] [release] the transfer restrictions set forth in the Lock-up Letter, but only with respect to the Shares, effective             , 20     ; provided, however, that such [waiver] [release] is conditioned on the Company announcing the impending [waiver] [release] by press release through a major news service at least two business days before effectiveness of such [waiver] [release]. This letter will serve as notice to the Company of the impending [waiver] [release].

Except as expressly [waived] [released] hereby, the Lock-up Letter shall remain in full force and effect.

Yours very truly,

[Signatures of the Representatives]

cc: Company


Exhibit C

[Form of Press Release]

[Company]

[Date]

(“Burlington Stores, Inc.”) announced today that [            ] is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to             shares of the Company’s common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on             , 20    , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Burlington Stores, Inc. The date of filing of the Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was February 13, 2013.

2. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit A, which restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the existing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as heretofore amended, has been duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and the stockholders in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, with the adoption of the Corporation’s stockholders having been given by written consent in lieu of a meeting thereof in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by [], its [], this [] day of [], 2013.

 

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of this corporation is Burlington Stores, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The registered office of this Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of this Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”).

ARTICLE FOUR

Section 1. Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 550,000,000 shares, consisting of:

(a) 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

(b) 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences and limitations set forth below.

Section 2. Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized, to provide by resolution or resolutions from time to time for the issuance, out of the authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, of all or any of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers (full, limited or no voting powers), designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, or such series, including, without limitation, that any such series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices, (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable


in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of capital stock, (iii) entitled to such rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of capital stock, or of any other series of the same class of capital stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions, which resolution or resolutions shall be set forth on a certificate of designations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), no vote of the holders of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a prerequisite to the designation or issuance of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock authorized by and complying with the conditions of this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, without the separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock as a class. Subject to Section 1 of this ARTICLE FOUR, the Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the certificate of designations in respect of any series of Preferred Stock, in case the number of shares of such series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

Section 3. Common Stock.

(a) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law or this Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be vested in the holders of the Common Stock, and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share held by such holder on all matters voted upon by the stockholders of the Corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation in respect of any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separate or together as a class with the holders of one or more such other series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or the Delaware General Corporation Law.

(b) Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive equally, on a per share basis, such dividends and other distributions in cash, securities or other property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

 

3


(c) Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the Corporation’s debts and subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed among holders of shares of Common Stock equally on a per share basis. A merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or a sale, lease, exchange, conveyance or other disposition of all or any part of the assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 3(c).

(d) Conversion Rights. The Common Stock shall not be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same class of the Corporation’s capital stock.

Section 4. Reclassification of Class A Common Stock. Upon this Certificate of Incorporation becoming effective in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Effective Time”): each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Old Class A Common”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be reclassified as 1 validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock (such reclassification of Old Class A Common into Common Stock, the “Reclassification”). Each stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented shares of Old Class A Common, shall, from and after the Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange, represent the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified as of the Effective Time after giving effect to the Reclassification; provided, that each person holding of record a stock certificate or certificates that represented shares of Old Class A Common shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender of such certificate, a new certificate or certificates evidencing and representing the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Old Class A Common shall have been reclassified in accordance with the Reclassification.

ARTICLE FIVE

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE SIX

Section 1. Board of Directors, Number. Unless otherwise provided by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Delaware General Corporation Law, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Classification of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall

 

4


expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the Effective Time, the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the Effective Time, and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders occurring after the Effective Time. At each annual meeting after the first annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the Effective Time, each director elected to the class of directors expiring at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or retirement. If the number of directors divided into classes as set forth herein is hereafter changed, any newly created directorship(s) or decrease in the number of directors shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as practicable. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”) shall so provide. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to their respective classes.

Section 3. Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or any other cause shall be filled exclusively by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by stockholders. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or retirement.

Section 4. Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, (i) prior to the Trigger Date (as defined below), any director may be removed from office at any time with or without cause, at a meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class and (ii) after the Trigger Date, any director may be removed from office at any time but only with cause, at a meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 5. Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the provisions of this ARTICLE SIX, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the rights of such Preferred Stock as set forth in the certificate of designations or certificates of designations governing such series.

 

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Section 6. No Cumulative Voting. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing the issue of one or more series of Preferred Stock, and then only with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, cumulative voting in the election of directors is specifically denied.

ARTICLE SEVEN

Section 1. Limitation of Liability.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring at or prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE EIGHT

Section 1. No Action by Written Consent. From and after the first date (the “Trigger Date”) on which investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital Partners, LLC and their respective successors and Affiliates (collectively, the “Bain Capital Entities”) cease collectively to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders. “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person; the term “control,” as used in this definition, means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “controlled” and “controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. “Person” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity. For the purpose of this Certificate of Incorporation, “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Section 2. Annual Meetings of Stockholders. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined exclusively by resolution of the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of directors and other business to be brought by stockholders at any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

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Section 3. Special Meetings of Stockholders. Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation shall be called exclusively (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a written resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies or (ii) prior to the Trigger Date, by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and shall not be called by stockholders. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

ARTICLE NINE

Section 1. Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporation reserves the right at any time from time to time to alter, amend, repeal or change any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and to adopt any other provision authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or vote may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of ARTICLE SIX, ARTICLE SEVEN, ARTICLE EIGHT, this ARTICLE NINE, ARTICLE TEN, ARTICLE ELEVEN and ARTICLE TWELVE may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or of the Bylaws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class and (ii) from and after the Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 2. Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws. Any adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided a quorum is otherwise present. In addition to any other vote otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, from and after the Trigger Date, with respect to the adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the stockholders, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect thereto, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE TEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

Section 1. Scope. The provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN are set forth to define, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the duties of Exempted Persons (as defined below) to the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities. “Exempted Persons” means the Bain Capital Entities and their respective Affiliates (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) and all of their respective partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers and employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Corporation.

Section 2. Competition and Allocation of Corporate Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Exempted Persons shall not have any fiduciary duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to the Exempted Persons, even if the opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each such Exempted Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Section 3. Certain Matters Deemed Not Corporate Opportunities. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to belong to the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that the Corporation is not financially or legally able or contractually permitted to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to it or that is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

Section 4. Amendment of this Article. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no amendment or repeal of this ARTICLE ELEVEN in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of ARTICLE ELEVEN shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to any activities or opportunities of which such Exempted Person becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. This ARTICLE ELEVEN shall not limit or eliminate any protections or defenses otherwise available to, or any rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation’s bylaws, any agreement between the Corporation and such officer or director, or any applicable law.

Section 5. Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing, holding or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN.

 

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ARTICLE TWELVE

Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock) shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE TWELVE.

 

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EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

A Delaware corporation

(Adopted as of [], 2013)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The address of the registered office of Burlington Stores, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The registered office and/or registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).

Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may have an office or offices other than said registered office at such place or places, either within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate such place of meeting, either within or outside the State of Delaware, or the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as is specified by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting, stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as may be properly brought before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 11 of ARTICLE II hereof. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders.


Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation). The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.

Section 4. Notice.

(a) Timing; Contents. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written notice of each annual and special meeting of stockholders stating the date, time and place, if any, of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different than the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation), to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting except as otherwise required by law.

(b) Form of Notice. All such notices shall be delivered in writing or by a form of electronic transmission if receipt thereof has been consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the Corporation. If given by facsimile telecommunication, such notice shall be deemed given when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice by facsimile. Subject to the limitations of Section 4(d) of this ARTICLE II, if given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed given: (i) by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (x) such posting and (y) the giving of such separate notice by United States mail or facsimile transmission; and (iii) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the transfer agent of the Corporation or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

(c) Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the stockholder entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person or entity entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a stockholder of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting,

 

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except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(d) Notice by Electronic Delivery. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any notice to stockholders of the Corporation given by the Corporation under any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder of the Corporation to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if: (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices of meetings or of other business given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. For purposes of these Bylaws, except as otherwise limited by applicable law, the term “electronic transmission” means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Section 5. List of Stockholders. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this section shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

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Section 6. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. If a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another time and/or place. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on the matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to any other time and to any other place by the chairman of the meeting or by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, although less than a quorum. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall decide any question brought before the meeting (other than the election of directors), unless by express provisions of an applicable law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities or of the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of record of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of such directors.

Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation in respect of any series of preferred stock), each holder of record of capital stock shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder on the record date for voting for such meeting.

 

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Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy executed or transmitted in a manner permitted by applicable law, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. At each meeting of stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.

Section 11. Business Brought Before a Meeting of the Stockholders.

(A) Annual Meetings.

(1) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall be considered and such other business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who (i) is a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed or such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner is the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that there was no annual meeting in the prior year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall any adjournment, deferral or postponement of an annual meeting or the public announcement thereof commence a new

 

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time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(2) A stockholder’s notice providing for the nomination of a person or persons for election as a director or directors of the Corporation shall set forth (a) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (and for purposes of clauses (ii) through (ix) below, including any interests described therein held by any affiliates or associates (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for purposes of these Bylaws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner or by any member of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household or Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), in each case as of the date of such stockholder’s notice, which information shall be confirmed or updated, if necessary, by such stockholder and beneficial owner (x) not later than ten (10) days after the record date for the notice of the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date for the notice of the meeting, and (y) not later than eight (8) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof to disclose such ownership as of the date that is ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated information not later than eight (8) business days before any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before any such adjournment or postponement)) (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) (provided that a person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future) and owned of record by such stockholder or beneficial owner, (iii) the class or series, if any, and number of options, warrants, puts, calls, convertible securities, stock appreciation rights, or similar rights, obligations or commitments with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, right, obligation or commitment shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation (each a “Derivative Security”), which are, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, (iv) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship, including any repurchase or

 

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similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any class or series of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, or that provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series or capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, (v) a description of any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit (including any performance-based fees) derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares or other securities of the Corporation, (vi) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares or other securities of the Corporation, (vii) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or such beneficial owner or such Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (viii) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Securities held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, if any, (ix) a description of all agreements, arrangements, and understandings between such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person and any other person(s) (including their name(s)) in connection with or related to the ownership or voting of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Securities, (x) any other information relating to such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (xi) a statement as to whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to elect such stockholder’s nominees and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from the stockholders in support of such nomination and (xii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (b) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any,

 

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and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (iii) a completed and signed questionnaire regarding the background and qualifications of such person to serve as a director, a copy of which may be obtained upon request to the Secretary of the Corporation, (iv) all information with respect to such person that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 11 of ARTICLE II if such person were a stockholder or beneficial owner, on whose behalf the nomination was made, submitting a notice providing for the nomination of a person or persons for election as a director or directors of the Corporation in accordance with this Section 11 of ARTICLE II and (v) such additional information that the Corporation may reasonably request to determine the eligibility or qualifications of such person to serve as a director or an independent director of the Corporation, or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the qualifications and/or independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee as a director. For purposes of these Bylaws, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of any stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, (iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above and (iv) any person acting in concert in respect of any matter involving the Corporation or its securities with either such stockholder or any beneficial owner of any stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder.

(3) A stockholder’s notice regarding business proposed to be brought before a meeting of stockholders other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall set forth (a) as to the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, the information called for by clauses (a)(i) through (a)(ix) of the immediately preceding paragraph (2) (including any interests described therein held by any affiliates or associates of such stockholder or beneficial owner or by any member of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household, in each case as of the date of such stockholder’s notice, which information shall be confirmed or updated, if necessary, by such stockholder and beneficial owner (x) not later than ten (10) days after the record date for the notice of the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date for the notice of the meeting, and (y) not later than eight (8) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof to disclose such ownership as of the date that is ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated information not later than eight (8) business days before any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before any such adjournment or

 

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postponement)), (b) a brief description of (i) the business desired to be brought before such meeting, including the text of any resolution proposed for consideration by the stockholders, (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and (iii) any material interest of such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person in such business, including a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person and any other person(s) (including the name(s) of such other person(s)) in connection with or related to the proposal of such business by the stockholder, (c) as to the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (i) a statement as to whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner of Stockholder Associated Person intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to approve the proposal and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (ii) any other information relating to such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (d) if the matter such stockholder proposes to bring before any meeting of stockholders involves an amendment to the Corporation’s Bylaws, the specific wording of such proposed amendment, (e) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business and (f) such additional information that the Corporation may reasonably request regarding such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, and/or the business that such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of the special meeting given by or at the direction of the Board or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation). The notice of such special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation) or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (a) is a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner is the beneficial owner of

 

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shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in paragraph (B) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II is delivered to the Corporation’s Secretary and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, (b) is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and (c) complies with the notice procedures set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall be delivered to the Corporation’s Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment, deferral or postponement of a special meeting or the public announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(C) General.

(1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 11 of this ARTICLE II, to be considered a “qualified representative” of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(2) For purposes of this section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service in the United States or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II.

 

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(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to (a) affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, (b) confer upon any stockholder a right to have a nominee or any proposed business included in the Corporation’s proxy statement, or (c) affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

(5) The chairman of the meeting of stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not properly made or any business was not properly brought before the meeting, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II; if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such nomination not properly made or any business not properly brought before the meeting, as the case may be, shall not be transacted.

Section 12. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 12 of ARTICLE II at the adjourned meeting.

Section 13. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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Section 14. Conduct of Meetings.

(a) Generally. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, by the President, or in the absence of the President, by the Chief Financial Officer, or in the absence of all of the foregoing, by the most senior officer of the Corporation present at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

(b) Rules, Regulations and Procedures. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The chairman of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time or to recess the meeting.

(c) Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation may, and to the extent required by law shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and shall take charge of the polls and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law.

 

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ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Annual Meetings. Except as otherwise from time to time determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place (if any) as, the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3. Regular Meetings and Special Meetings. Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting, of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the chairman of the board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President (in either case, if such person is a director) or upon the written request of at least a majority of the directors then in office.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meetings of the Board of Directors need not be given except as otherwise required by law or these Bylaws. Notice of each special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of each regular and annual meeting of the Board of Directors for which notice shall be required, shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided in this Section 4. Any such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and of any regular or annual meeting for which notice is required, shall be given to each director at least (a) 24 hours before the meeting, if the notice is given by telephone, by delivery in person, or sent by telex, telecopy, electronic mail or similar means or (b) 5 days before the meeting if delivered by mail to the director’s residence or usual place of business. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage prepaid, or when transmitted if sent by telex, telecopy, email or similar means. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 5. Chairman of the Board, Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. The Board of Directors may elect from among its ranks, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, a Chairman of the Board, who shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. If the Chairman of the Board is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at such meeting (if the Chief Executive Officer is a director and is not also Chairman of the Board), and, if the Chief Executive Officer is not present at such meeting or is not a director, the President shall preside at such meeting (if the President is a director and is not also the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer), and, if the President is not present at such meeting or is not a director, a majority of the directors present at such meeting then in office shall elect one of their members to so preside. A majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Unless by express provision of an applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws a different vote is required,

 

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the vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 6. Committees. The Board of Directors (i) may designate one or more committees consisting of one or more of the directors of the Corporation and (ii) shall, during such period of time as any securities of the Corporation are listed on a national securities exchange, designate all committees required by the rules and regulations of such exchange. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. Except to the extent restricted by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution creating it, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or as required by the rules and regulations of such exchange, if applicable. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors upon request.

Section 7. Committee Rules. Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. All matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, in the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the Board of Directors, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 8. Telephonic and Other Meetings. Unless restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

Section 9. Waiver of Notice. Any director may waive notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, by a written waiver signed by the director entitled to the notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the director entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of a director at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

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Section 10. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 11. Compensation. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

Section 12. Reliance on Books and Records. A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of such director’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 13. Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event or events.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number, Titles. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that neither the Chief Executive Officer nor the President shall also hold the office of Secretary. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable, except that the offices of President and Secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as convenient. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or retirement as hereinafter provided.

 

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Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, retirement or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the Corporation; provided, however, that compensation of some or all executive officers may be determined by a committee established for that purpose if so authorized by the Board of Directors or as required by applicable law or any applicable rule or regulation, including any rule or regulation of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are then listed for trading.

Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction, and management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or as are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a President or the office of the President is otherwise vacant, and no officer otherwise functions with the powers and duties of the President, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall also have all the powers and duties of the President.

Section 7. The President. The President, if there is such an officer and the Board of Directors so directs, shall serve as chief operating officer and have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of chief operating officer unless the Board of Directors provides for another officer to serve as chief operating officer (or to have the powers and duties of chief operating officer). The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a Chief Executive Officer or the office of Chief Executive Officer is otherwise vacant, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall also have all the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 8. Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

Section 9. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

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Any Assistant Secretary, if there is such an officer, shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors), shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

Section 10. The Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer or President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, if there is such an officer, to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time.

Section 11. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers, assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are provided for in these Bylaws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 12. Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.

Section 13. Officers’ Bonds or Other Security. If required by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors may require.

Section 14. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation and of any person hereby authorized to act in such officer’s place during such officer’s absence or disability, the Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person selected by it.

 

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ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Uncertificated Shares; Certificated Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated, provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be represented by certificates. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the Chairman of the Board, or the President or Vice President and (ii) the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all signatures on any such certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, whose facsimile signature has been used on or who has duly affixed a facsimile signature or signatures to any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been issued by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates, whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon or who duly affixed a facsimile signature or signatures thereon had not ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation.

Section 2. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock record of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his, her or its attorney thereunto authorized by the power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof. Certificated shares, if any, shall be transferred only upon surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power. Uncertificated shares shall be transferred by delivery of a duly executed stock transfer power. Registration of transfer of any shares shall be subject to applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law with respect to the transfer of such shares. The Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue and transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation.

Section 3. Transfer Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the Corporation.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue or direct a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, or of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

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Section 5. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock of the Corporation to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of such shares. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any such shares of stock on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, in shares of the capital stock or in any combination thereof, subject to the provisions of applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors may think conducive to the interests of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserves in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2. Contracts. In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant to ARTICLE IV hereof, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no seal shall be required by virtue of this section.

Section 5. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other Corporation held by the Corporation shall be voted (or consents in writing may be provided in respect thereof) by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary or any Vice President, unless the Board of Directors specifically confers authority to vote (or express consent in writing) with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote or express consent with respect to such securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

 

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Section 6. Inspection of Books and Records. The Board of Directors shall have power from time to time to determine to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 7. Time Periods. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, in applying any provision of these Bylaws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 8. Section Headings. Section headings in these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 9. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of these Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable law, the provision of these Bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time (“ERISA”), and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation (or has

 

20


ceased to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan) and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this ARTICLE VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the first instance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 1 or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers.

Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VII (which may only be made following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within sixty days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the indemnitee, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VII is not paid in full within thirty days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced (provided that the indemnitee has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 1 of this Article VII), the indemnitee shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. It shall be a defense to any action by a director or officer for indemnification or the advancement of expenses (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advancement of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 2 of this ARTICLE VII, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for indemnification of

 

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other employees and agents of the Corporation for whom indemnification and advancement of expenses is provided pursuant to Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII shall be the same procedure set forth in this Section 2 for directors or officers of the Corporation, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification and advancement of expenses for such employees or agents of the Corporation.

Section 3. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 4. Service for Subsidiaries. Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation (a “subsidiary” for this ARTICLE VII) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.

Section 5. Reliance. Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and other rights contained in this ARTICLE VII in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.

Section 6. Other Rights; Continuation of Rights to Indemnification. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or under any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses under this ARTICLE VII shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each indemnitee who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this ARTICLE VII is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE VII or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses of such indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such repeal or modification.

Section 7. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this ARTICLE VII, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any

 

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constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this ARTICLE VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

Section 8. Savings Clause. If this ARTICLE VII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and advance expenses to each person entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses under Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is available to such person pursuant to this ARTICLE VII to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this ARTICLE VII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, changed or repealed or new Bylaws adopted only in accordance with Article Nine, Section 2 of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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EX-3.3

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BURLINGTON HOLDINGS, INC.

Burlington Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

A. The name of the Corporation is Burlington Holdings, Inc. The date of filing of the Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was February 13, 2013.

B. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “First Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) was filed by the Corporation on February 14, 2013 amending and restating the original Certificate of Incorporation.

C. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit A, which restates, integrates and amends the provisions of the First Restated Certificate of Incorporation, has been duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and the stockholders in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, with the adoption of the Corporation’s stockholders having been given by written consent in lieu of a meeting thereof in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Paul Tang, its Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, this 10th day of September, 2013.

 

By:

 

/s/ Paul Tang

Name:

  Paul Tang

Title:

  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


EXHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

1. The name of this Corporation is Burlington Stores, Inc.

2. The registered office of this Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

3. The purpose of this Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

4. Capital Stock.

4.1. Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 550,000,000 shares, consisting of:

(a) 500,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”); and

(b) 50,000,000 shares of Class L Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class L Common Stock”).

The Class A Common Stock and the Class L Common Stock are referred to collectively as the “Common Stock”; and each class shall be referred to as a class of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences, privileges and limitations set forth below.

4.2. Definitions. As used in this Section 4, the following terms have the following definitions:

4.2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.


4.2.2 “Applicable Price per Share” shall mean, (a) at the Public Offering Time, the Public Offering Price and (b) at the time of any other Realization Event, a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the excess, if any, of the aggregate value of all Common Stock of the Corporation less the aggregate Class L Conversion Amount with respect to all shares of Class L Common Stock outstanding and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class L Common Stock (assuming each share of Class L Common Stock had been converted into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Constant). For the purpose of clause (b)(i) above, (x) if all of the Common Stock of the Corporation is being Transferred in the subject Realization Event, the aggregate value of all Common Stock of the Corporation shall be the consideration to be paid in respect of Common Stock in such Realization Event, after deducting all commissions, fees and expenses paid in connection with such Realization Event and (y) if less than all of the Common Stock of the Corporation is being Transferred in the subject Realization Event, the aggregate value of all Common Stock of the Corporation shall be the consideration to be paid in respect of Common Stock in such Realization Event, after deducting all commissions, fees and expenses paid in connection with such Realization Event, with a proportionate adjustment as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.

4.2.3 “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

4.2.4 “Class L Base Amount” shall mean $81.

4.2.5 “Class L Conversion Amount” shall mean, at any time as of which it is to be determined, with respect to any share of Class L Common Stock, the amount which would need to be distributed with respect to such share, so that the total amount distributed with respect to such share (excluding any Interim Distributions previously paid with respect to such share but including any Liquidating Distributions previously paid with respect to such share) would equal the Class L Base Amount plus an amount sufficient to generate an internal rate of return on such Class L Base Amount equal to fourteen point five percent (14.5%) per annum, compounded quarterly. Such internal rate of return shall be calculated in accordance with accepted financial practices, treating each share of Class L Common Stock as having been issued for the Class L Base Amount on April 13, 2006.

4.2.6 “Class L Conversion Constant” shall mean, at any time as of which it is to be determined, one, adjusted as provided in Section 4.7 below.

4.2.7 “Class L Conversion Factor” shall mean, at any time as of which it is to be determined, the sum of

(i) the Class L Conversion Constant

plus

 

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(ii) the quotient obtained by dividing

 

  (a) the Class L Conversion Amount

by

 

  (b) Applicable Price per Share,

all determined at such time.

4.2.8 “Distributions” shall mean all distributions made by the Corporation to holders of Common Stock, whether by dividend or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distributions made by the Corporation to holders of Common Stock in complete or partial liquidation of the Corporation or upon a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis); provided, however, that the following shall not be a Distribution: (a) any redemption or repurchase by the Corporation of any shares of Common Stock for any reason, (b) any recapitalization or exchange of any shares of Common Stock, (c) any subdivision or increase in the number of (by stock split, stock dividend or otherwise), or any combination in any manner of, the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (d) a merger, share exchange or consolidation after the consummation of which the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger, share exchange or consolidation effectively have the power to elect a majority of the board of directors of the surviving corporation or its parent corporation.

4.2.9 “Initial Public Offering” shall mean the initial public offering and sale of shares of Class A Common Stock (taking into account any subdivision, increase or combination or reclassification of the Corporation’s Common Stock in connection with the public offering) of the Corporation for cash pursuant to an underwritten initial public offering of such shares registered on Form S-1 (or any successor form under the Securities Act of 1933) with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

4.2.10 “Interim Distributions” shall mean all Distributions that are not Liquidation Distributions.

4.2.11 “Liquidation Distributions” shall mean Distributions made by the Corporation to holders of Common Stock in liquidation of the Corporation including liquidation upon or following a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Board of Directors’ determination that a Distribution or a series of Distributions is or is not a Liquidation Distribution shall be conclusive.

4.2.12 “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or other entity.

 

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4.2.13 “Public Offering Price” shall mean the price per share to be received by the Corporation in connection with the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the public in the Initial Public Offering (taking into account any subdivision, reclassification, increase or combination of the Corporation’s Common Stock in connection with the Initial Public Offering), net of any expenses incurred and any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation in connection therewith.

4.2.14 “Public Offering Time” shall mean the time of determination of the Public Offering Price by the Corporation (which time shall be prior to any transfer of beneficial ownership of shares in the Initial Public Offering) in respect of the initial sale of shares of Class A Common Stock (taking into account any subdivision, reclassification, increase or combination of the Corporation’s Common Stock in connection with the Initial Public Offering) of the Corporation pursuant to the Initial Public Offering.

4.2.15 “Qualified Institutional Investor” shall mean Bain Capital Fund IX, LLC, Bain Capital Integral Investors, LLC, BCIP TCV, LLC, BCIP Associates-G and their Affiliates.

4.2.16 “Realization Event” shall mean the Transfer of Common Stock.

4.2.17 “Total Equity Value” shall mean the product obtained by multiplying (a) the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock (or, in the event the Class A Common Stock is reclassified prior to the Public Offering Time, the total number of shares of the class of common stock into which the Class A Common Stock is reclassified) of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, as stated in the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering, by (b) the Public Offering Price, as stated in such final prospectus.

4.2.18 “Transfer” shall mean a sale, transfer or other disposition for value.

4.3. Shares Identical. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, for purposes of this Section 4, all shares of Common Stock shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be identical in all respects and shall entitle the holders thereof to the same powers, preferences, rights and privileges and shall be subject to the same qualifications, limitations and restrictions.

4.4. Voting Rights. Subject to the powers, preferences, rights and privileges of any class of stock (or any series thereof) having any preference or priority over, or rights superior to, the Common Stock that the Corporation may hereafter become authorized to issue, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the holders of the Common Stock shall have and possess all powers and voting and other rights pertaining to the stock of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4 or as otherwise required by applicable law, all holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class, with each share of Common Stock being entitled to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders.

 

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4.4.1 Subject to the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, any term or provision of this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended with the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock voting as a single class.

4.4.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or anything to the contrary in this Section 4, the number of authorized shares of any class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock without a vote by class.

4.5. Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors (the “Number of Directors”) shall be 7 or such greater number determined as provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, in either case subject to reduction as provided in Section 4.5.2.

4.5.1 Each director shall be entitled to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the directors. The directors shall vote together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by the directors.

4.5.2 Any vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be filled only by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock. The Board of Directors shall be deemed to be duly constituted notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership, whether because of the failure of the stockholders to elect the full number of directors or otherwise. Any such vacancy shall automatically reduce the Number of Directors pro tanto, until such time as the holders of Common Stock shall have elected a director to fill such vacancy, whereupon the Number of Directors shall be automatically increased pro tanto.

4.6. Distributions. All Distributions pursuant to Sections 4.6.1. and 4.6.2. shall be made ratably among the holders of the class or classes of Common Stock in question, based on the number of shares of such class held by such holders.

4.6.1 Liquidation Distributions. All Liquidation Distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Common Stock in the following order of priority:

4.6.1.1 First, the holders of the shares of Class L Common Stock (other than shares concurrently being converted into Class A Common Stock), as a single and separate class, shall be entitled to receive all Liquidation Distributions until there has been paid with respect to each such share from amounts then and previously distributed pursuant to this Section 4.6.1.1 an amount equal to the Class L Base Amount.

4.6.1.2 Second, after the full required amount of Liquidation Distributions have been made pursuant to Section 4.6.1.1. above, all holders of the shares of Common Stock, as a single class, shall thereafter

 

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be entitled to receive all remaining Liquidation Distributions pro rata based on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided that for purposes of this Section 4.6.1.2, each share of Class L Common Stock shall be deemed to have been converted into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Constant.

4.6.2 Interim Distributions. All Interim Distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Common Stock, as a single class, pro rata based on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided that for purposes of this Section 4.6.2, each share of Class L Common Stock shall be deemed to have been converted into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Constant.

4.7. Stock Splits and Stock Dividends. The Corporation shall not in any manner subdivide or increase the number of (by stock split, stock dividend or other similar manner), or combine in any manner, any outstanding Class A Common Stock unless a proportional adjustment is made to the Class L Conversion Constant. In no event shall any such subdivision, increase or combination constitute a Distribution in respect of any share of Common Stock.

4.8. Conversion of Class L Common Stock.

4.8.1 Mandatory Conversion in Connection with Public Offering. Upon the determination of the Total Equity Value at the Public Offering Time (the “Conversion Effective Time”), without any further action by the Board of Directors or any stockholder of the Corporation,

4.8.1.1 in the event that the Total Equity Value is greater than the aggregate Class L Conversion Amount for all outstanding shares of Class L Common Stock, each share of Class L Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall automatically be converted at the Conversion Effective Time into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Factor at the Conversion Effective Time; and

4.8.1.2 in the event that the Total Equity Value is less than or equal to the Class L Conversion Amount, (a) each share of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled at such time, and (b) each share of Class L Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion Effective Time shall automatically be converted at the Conversion Effective Time into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock.

4.8.2 Mandatory Conversion in Connection with a Realization Event. At any time, in connection with a Realization Event, upon a vote of the Board of Directors, each outstanding share of Class L Common Stock shall automatically convert into a number of

 

7


shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Factor at the time of conversion; and such vote may be taken prior to such Realization Event provided that the effectiveness thereof and the conversion of shares effected thereby are conditioned and made effective upon the occurrence of such Realization Event.

4.8.3 Optional Conversion by Class in Connection with a Liquidation Distribution. At any time, in connection with a Liquidation Distribution, upon the election of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class L Common Stock and delivery of notice of such election to an officer of the Corporation, each outstanding share of Class L Common Stock shall automatically convert into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class L Conversion Factor at the time of conversion. The Corporation shall provide at least 10 days notice to the holders of shares of Class L Common Stock prior to making any Liquidation Distribution in order to provide such holders with the opportunity to make an election pursuant to this Section 4.8.3. Such notice may be waived on behalf of all holders of shares of Class L Common Stock by the holders of a majority of the shares of Class L Common Stock.

4.8.4 Fractional Shares, etc. Upon conversion under Section 4.8.1, 4.8.2 or 4.8.3 above, fractional shares shall be converted into equivalent fractional shares of Class A Common Stock (or, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, eliminated in return for payment therefor in cash at the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors). No Distributions shall be or become payable on any shares of Class L Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.6 at or following such conversion. From and after such conversion, such shares of Class L Common Stock shall be retired and shall not be reissued, and upon the filing of a certificate in accordance with Section 243 of the DGCL, the authorized shares of Class L Common Stock shall be eliminated.

4.9. Effect of Conversion. Upon conversion of any share of Class L Common Stock, the holder shall surrender the certificate evidencing such share to the Corporation at its principal place of business. Promptly after receipt of such certificate, the Corporation shall issue and send to such holder a new certificate, registered in the name of such holder, evidencing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which such share has been converted. From and after the time of conversion of any share of Class L Common Stock, the rights of the holder thereof as such shall cease; the certificate formerly evidencing such share shall, until surrendered and reissued as provided above, evidence the applicable number of shares of the applicable class of Class A Common Stock; and such holder shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of the applicable number of shares of the Class A Common Stock.

4.10. Replacement. Upon receipt of an affidavit of the registered owner of one or more shares of any class of Common Stock (or such other evidence as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation) with respect to the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate evidencing such shares of Common Stock, and in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation (it being understood that if the holder is a Qualified Institutional Investor, or any

 

8


other holder of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which is an entity regularly engaged in the business of investing in companies and meets such requirements of creditworthiness as may reasonably be imposed by the Corporation in connection with the provisions of this paragraph, its own agreement will be satisfactory), or, in the case of any such mutilation upon surrender of such certificate, the Corporation shall execute and deliver in lieu of such certificate a new certificate of like kind representing the number of shares of such class represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate and dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate.

4.11. Notices. All notices referred to herein shall be in writing, shall be delivered personally or by first class mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered or mailed to the Corporation at its principal executive offices and to any stockholder at such holder’s address as it appears in the stock records of the Corporation (unless otherwise specified in a written notice to the Corporation by such holder).

4.12. Prohibition on Distributions Constituting Taxable Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4, the Corporation shall not, without the written approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class L Common Stock or, if there is no Class L Common Stock then outstanding, the holders of a majority of the Class L Common Stock at the time such Common Stock was converted into Class A Common Stock, pay any dividend or make any other distribution on any share of capital stock or other security or interest in the Corporation, or take any other action, so long as any share of Class L Common Stock is outstanding and for three years thereafter, if the effect of such dividend, distribution or action might be to make (a) an increase of the Class L Conversion Amount, (b) a conversion of the Class L Common Stock into Class A Common Stock or (c) an adjustment of the Class L Conversion Factor a taxable event to the holders of the Class L Common Stock. No amendment to the provisions of this Section 4.12 shall be effective without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class L Common Stock or, if there is no Class L Common Stock then outstanding, the holders of a majority of the Class L Common Stock at the time such Common Stock was converted into Class A Common Stock.

5. The election of directors need not be by ballot unless the Bylaws shall so require.

6. In furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred upon the Board of Directors by law, the Board of Directors shall have power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal from time to time Bylaws of this Corporation, subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect thereto to alter and repeal Bylaws made by the Board of Directors.

7. A director of this Corporation shall not be liable to this Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that exculpation from liability is not permitted under the DGCL as in effect at the time such liability is determined. No amendment or repeal of this paragraph 7 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of this Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

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8. To the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the law of the State of Delaware, this Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to its officers, directors or stockholders, other than those officers, directors or stockholders who are employees of this Corporation. No amendment or repeal of this paragraph 8 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any officer, director or stockholder of the Corporation for or with respect to any opportunities of which such officer, director or stockholder becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal.

9. This Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the law of the State of Delaware, indemnify and upon request shall advance expenses to any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or claim, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was or has agreed to be a director or officer of this Corporation or while a director or officer is or was serving at the request of this Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorney’s fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with the investigation, preparation to defend or defense of such action, suit, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not require this Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to any person in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, claim or counterclaim initiated by or on behalf of such person. Such indemnification shall not be exclusive of other indemnification rights arising under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or otherwise and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of such person. Any person seeking indemnification under this paragraph 9 shall be deemed to have met the standard of conduct required for such indemnification unless the contrary shall be established. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 9 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of this Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director or officer occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

10. The books of this Corporation may (subject to any statutory requirements) be kept outside the State of Delaware as may be designated by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of this Corporation.

11. If at any time this Corporation shall have a class of stock registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, for so long as such class is so registered, any action by the stockholders of such class must be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent.

12. This Corporation shall not be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

13. Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on

 

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behalf of the Corporation, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article.

 

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EX-3.3.1

Exhibit 3.3.1

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

* * * * *

Adopted in accordance with the provisions

of §242 of the General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

* * * * *

Paul Tang, being the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Burlington Stores, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

 

  1. That the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be, and hereby is amended by deleting Section 4.1 entitled “Authorized Shares” in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof a new Section 4.1 entitled “Authorized Shares” to read as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

  2. That the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the foregoing amendment pursuant to a written consent in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and directed that such amendment be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon for their consideration, approval and adoption thereof.

 

  3. That the stockholders entitled to vote thereon approved the foregoing amendment by written consent in accordance with Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

* * * * *


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned does hereby certify under penalties of perjury that this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is the act and deed of the undersigned and the facts stated herein are true and accordingly has hereunto set his hand this         day of September, 2013.

 

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Paul Tang
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


Exhibit A

Amended Section entitled “Authorized Shares” in Section 4.1 of the

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

of Burlington Stores, Inc.

 

A-1


4.1 Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 550,000,000 shares, consisting of:

(a) 500,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common”); and

(b) 50,000,000 shares of Class L Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class L Common”).

The Class A Common and Class L Common are referred to collectively as the “Common Stock.” The shares of Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences, privileges and limitations set forth below.

Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment (the “Effective Time”) each share of Class A Common issued and outstanding or held in treasury immediately prior to the Effective Time, if any, shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be reclassified as and converted into [] shares of Class A Common and any stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented one share of Class A Common shall, from and after the Effective Time, represent [] shares of Class A Common.

EX-3.4

Exhibit 3.4

BY-LAWS

OF

BURLINGTON HOLDINGS, INC.

A Delaware Corporation

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington Delaware 19808, in the County of New Castle. The name of the corporation’s registered agent at such address shall be Corporation Service Company. The registered office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the board of directors.

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place and Time of Meetings. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year for the purpose of electing directors and conducting such other proper business as may come before the meeting. The date, time and place of the annual meeting may be determined by resolution of the board of directors or as set by the chief executive officer of the corporation.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called for any purpose (including, without limitation, the filling of board vacancies and newly created directorships), and may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in a notice of meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Such meetings may be called at any time by two or more members of the board of directors or the chief executive officer and shall be called by the chief executive officer upon the written request of holders of shares entitled to cast not less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of any series or class of the corporation’s Capital Stock.

Section 3. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the corporation.


Section 4. Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place, date, time, and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. All such notices shall be delivered, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the board of directors, the chief executive officer or the secretary, and if mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the corporation. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 5. Stockholders List. The officer having charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall make, at least 10 days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

Section 6. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time in accordance with Section 7 of this Article, until a quorum shall be present or represented.

Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of an applicable law or of the certificate of incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Where a separate vote by class is required, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class.

 

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Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation of the corporation or any amendments thereto and subject to Section 3 of Article VI hereof, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of common stock held by such stockholder.

Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him, her or it by proxy. Every proxy must be signed by the stockholder granting the proxy or by his, her or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally.

Section 11. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than a majority of the shares entitled to vote, or, if greater, not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the state of Delaware, or the corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested provided, however, that no consent or consents delivered by certified or registered mail shall be deemed delivered until such consent or consents are actually received at the registered office. All consents properly delivered in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation as required by this section, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so recorded. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

 

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Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the board as of the effective date of these by-laws shall be seven (7). Thereafter, the number of directors shall be established from time to time by resolution of the board. The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors. The directors shall be elected in this manner at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article III. Each director elected shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

Section 3. Removal and Resignation. Any director or the entire board of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the removal without cause or a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation.

Section 4. Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation or any amendments thereto, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the holders of the corporation’s outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon or by a majority of the members of the board of directors. Each director so chosen shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as herein provided.

Section 5. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held without other notice than this by-law immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 6. Other Meetings and Notice. Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting, of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the chief executive officer or president on at least 24 hours notice to each director, either personally, by telephone, by mail, by electronic mail, or by telegraph; in like manner and on like notice the chief executive officer must call a special meeting on the written request of at least a majority of the directors.

Section 7. Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. A majority of the total number of directors then in office (without regard to any then vacancies on the board) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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Section 8. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation, which to the extent provided in such resolution or these by-laws shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management and affairs of the corporation except as otherwise limited by law. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

Section 9. Committee Rules. Each committee of the board of directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the board of directors as provided in Section 8 of this Article III, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 10. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board or committee through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 11. Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Assent. Any member of the board of directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except when such member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.

Section 12. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all the then members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be elected by the board of directors and may consist of a chairman, a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the board of directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation shall be elected annually by the board of directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the board of directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term by the board of directors then in office.

Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all officers shall be fixed by the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the corporation.

Section 6. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if one shall have been elected, shall be a member of the board, may be an officer of the corporation, and, if present, shall preside at each meeting of the board of directors or shareholders. He shall advise the chief executive officer, and in the chief executive officer’s absence, other officers of the corporation, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of directors.

Section 7. The Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board or if a Chairman of the Board shall have not been elected, the chief executive officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and board of directors at which he or she is present; subject to the powers of the board of directors, shall have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the corporation, and control over its officers, agents and employees; and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The chief executive officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or as may be provided in these by-laws.

 

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Section 8. President; Vice Presidents. The president shall, in the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, act with all of the powers and be subject to all of the restrictions of the chief executive officer. The president shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe. The vice-president, if any, or if there shall be more than one, the vice- presidents in the order determined by the board of directors shall, in the absence or disability of the president, act with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the president. The vice-presidents shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the president or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe.

Section 9. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors, all meetings of the committees thereof and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. Under the chief executive officer’s supervision, the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices required to be given by these by-laws or by law; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the chief executive officer or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation. The secretary, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.

Section 10. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation; shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors; shall cause the funds of the corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; and shall render to the chief executive officer and the board of directors, at its regular meeting or when the board of directors so requires, an account of the corporation; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the chief executive officer or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe. If required by the board of directors, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be rendered every six years) in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the office of treasurer and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in the possession or under the control of the treasurer belonging to the corporation. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors, shall in the absence or disability of the treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer. The assistant treasurers shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president or treasurer may, from time to time, prescribe.

 

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Section 11. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers, assistant officers and agents, if any, which officers may include officers of any division of the corporation, other than those whose duties are provided for in these by-laws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the board of directors.

Section 12. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the absence or disability of any officer of the corporation and of any person hereby authorized to act in such officer’s place during such officer’s absence or disability, the board of directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer, of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 hereof, the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article V shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 hereof, shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The corporation may, by action of its board of directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the corporation under Section 1 of this Article V or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article V shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article V is required, and the corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for

 

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indemnity, the corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article V shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Article V. The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 4. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article V.

Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article V in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the board of directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.

Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article V and who are or were employees or agents of the corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the board of directors.

 

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Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article V shall be deemed to be a contract right between the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article V and the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article V or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article V, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

Section 1. Form. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a vice-president and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the corporation. If such a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than the corporation or its employee or (2) by a registrar, other than the corporation or its employee, the signature of any such chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, vice-president, secretary, or assistant secretary may be facsimiles. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the corporation. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the corporation. Shares of stock of the corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization, and other matters as the corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock

 

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transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate or certificates, and record the transaction on its books. The board of directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the corporation.

Section 2. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against the corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Action by Written Consent. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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Section 5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 6. Subscriptions for Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in the subscription agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at such time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall be determined by the board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or as to all shares of the same series. In case of default in the payment of any installment or call when such payment is due, the corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or any other purpose and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money by or to the corporation and all notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.

Section 3. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

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Section 4. Loans. The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

Section 6. Corporate Seal. The board of directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 7. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other corporation held by the corporation shall be voted by the chief executive officer, unless the board of directors specifically confers authority to vote with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

Section 8. Inspection of Books and Records. Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of business.

Section 9. Section Headings. Section headings in these by-laws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 10. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of these by-laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate of incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new by-laws adopted at any meeting of the board of directors by a majority vote. The fact that the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the by-laws has been conferred upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the same powers.

 

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EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

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601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

 

 

To Call Writer Directly:

(212) 446-4800

 

(212) 446-4800

 

www.kirkland.com

 

Facsimile:

(212) 446-4900

September 10, 2013

Burlington Stores, Inc.

1830 Route 130 North

Burlington, New Jersey 08016

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as special counsel to Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-1, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 27, 2013 (File No. 333-189632), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) (such Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”), relating to the proposed registration by the Company of up to shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), including              shares of Common Stock to cover overallotments, if any. The shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company identified in the Registration Statement are referred to herein as the “Shares” and the issuance of the Shares is referred to herein as the “Issuance.”

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restated Charter”) of the Company in the form filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement, filed with the Commission on September 10, 2013 to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware prior to the sale of the Shares; (ii) the Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-laws”) of the Company in the form filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement, filed with the Commission on September 10, 2013; (iii) the form of Underwriting Agreement in the form filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), filed with the Commission on September 10, 2013; (iv) resolutions of the board of directors and stockholders of the Company with respect to the Issuance (the “Resolutions”); and (v) the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. We have not

 

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independently established or verified any facts relevant to the opinion expressed herein, but have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others as to factual matters.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that, when (i) the final Underwriting Agreement is duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (ii) the Restated Charter is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (iii) the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act, the Shares will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws except the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the Issuance.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.

Sincerely,

/s/ KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

EX-10.43

Exhibit 10.43

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of [                    ], 2013 by and between Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), in its own name and on behalf of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and [            ], an individual (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, directors, officers, employees, controlling persons, fiduciaries and other agents (“Representatives”) in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the corporation or business enterprise itself;

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve as Representative unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance and adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation or business enterprise;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining highly competent persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and that the Corporation should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of protection against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the Corporation;

WHEREAS, (a) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) requires indemnification of the officers and directors of the Corporation, (b) Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and (c) the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Corporation and its Representatives with respect to indemnification;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefore, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder, and

WHEREAS, (a) Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, (b) Indemnitee may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as a Representative without adequate protection, (c) the Corporation desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity and (d) Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Corporation on the condition that [he/she] be so indemnified.

AGREEMENT:

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Corporation and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions.

(a) As used in this Agreement:

Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble hereto.


Board” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals hereto.

Bylaws” shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation.

Certificate of Incorporation” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals hereto.

Corporate Status” describes the status of an individual who is or was a Representative of an Enterprise.

Corporation” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble hereto.

DGCL” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals hereto.

Enterprise” shall mean the Corporation and any other Person, employee benefit plan, joint venture or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Representative.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Expenses” shall mean all reasonable costs, expenses, fees and charges, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include, without limitation, (i) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from, incurred by Indemnitee in connection with, arising out of, in respect of or relating to, any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) for purposes of Section 11(d) only, expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise, (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement (on a grossed up basis) and (iv) any interest, assessments or other charges in respect of the foregoing.

Indemnitee” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Indemnity Obligations” shall mean all obligations of the Corporation to Indemnitee under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Corporation’s obligations to provide indemnification to Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Corporation or Indemnitee in any matter

 

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material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification; provided, however, that the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

Liabilities” shall mean all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments, orders, fines, penalties and other amounts payable in connection with, arising out of, in respect of or relating to or occurring as a direct or indirect consequence of any Proceeding, including, without limitation, amounts paid in whole or partial settlement of any Proceeding, all Expenses in complying with any judgment, order or decree issued or entered in connection with any Proceeding or any settlement agreement, stipulation or consent decree entered into or issued in settlement of any Proceeding, and any consequential damages resulting from any Proceeding or the settlement, judgment, or result thereof.

Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental agency or body or any other legal entity.

Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, formal or informal hearing, inquiry or investigation, litigation, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed judicial, administrative or arbitration proceeding (including, without limitation, any such proceeding under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or any other federal law, state law, statute or regulation), whether brought in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be, or is threatened to be, involved as a party or witness or otherwise involved, affected or injured (i) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a Representative of the Corporation, (ii) by reason of any actual or alleged action taken by Indemnitee or of any action on Indemnitee’s part while acting as Representative of the Corporation or (iii) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Representative of another Person, whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

Representative” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Sponsor Entities” shall mean the funds advised by Bain Capital Partners, LLC (“Bain Capital”) or any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with Bain Capital; provided, however, that neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries shall be considered Sponsor Entities hereunder.

Submission Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 9(b).

(b) For the purpose hereof, references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include, without limitation, any service as a Representative of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such Representative with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a Person who acted in good faith and

 

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in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Agreement.

Section 2. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or as a consequence of any Proceeding (other than any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor which shall be governed by the provisions set forth in Section 3 below) or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. For the avoidance of doubt, a finding, admission or stipulation that an Indemnitee has acted with gross negligence or recklessness shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such Indemnitee has failed to meet the standard or conduct required for indemnification in this Section 2.

Section 3. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or as a consequence of any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed, to the best interests of the Corporation. No indemnification for Liabilities and Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. For the avoidance of doubt, a finding, admission or stipulation that an Indemnitee has acted with gross negligence or recklessness shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such Indemnitee has failed to meet the standard or conduct required for indemnification in this Section 3.

Section 4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, and without limiting the rights of Indemnitee under any other provision hereof, to the extent that (a) Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) any Proceeding, (b) the Corporation is not permitted by applicable law to indemnify Indemnitee with respect to any claim brought in such Proceeding if such claim is asserted successfully against Indemnitee and (c) Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise (including, without limitation, settlement thereof), as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, then the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against all Liabilities and Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with or as a consequence of each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section 4 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by settlement, entry of a plea of nolo contendere or by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 5. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

 

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Section 6. Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 2, 3 or 4, the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to, or threatened to be made a party to, any Proceeding (including, without limitation, a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor), against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding:

(a) to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to, or replacement of, the DGCL, and

(b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to, or replacements of, the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

Section 7. Advances of Expenses. In furtherance of the requirement of Article Eleven of the Certificate of Incorporation and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Corporation shall advance, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to, or after, final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including, without limitation, Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Corporation to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Corporation of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking, providing that Indemnitee undertakes to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.

Section 8. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Corporation in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. The written notification to the Corporation shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Any delay or failure by Indemnitee to notify the Corporation hereunder will not relieve the Corporation from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay or failure in so notifying the Corporation shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement.

(b) In the event Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification and/or advancement of Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, Indemnitee may, at Indemnitee’s option, (i) retain legal counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Corporation (which approval shall not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to defend Indemnitee in such Proceeding, at the sole expense of the Corporation or (ii) have the Corporation assume the defense of Indemnitee in the Proceeding, in which case the Corporation shall assume the defense of such Proceeding with

 

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legal counsel selected by the Corporation and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) within ten (10) days of the Corporation’s receipt of written notice of Indemnitee’s election to cause the Corporation to do so. If the Corporation is required to assume the defense of any such Proceeding, it shall engage legal counsel for such defense, and shall be solely responsible for all Expenses of such legal counsel and otherwise of such defense. Such legal counsel may represent both Indemnitee and the Corporation (and/or any other party or parties entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation with respect to such matter) unless, in the reasonable opinion of legal counsel to Indemnitee, there is a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Corporation (or any other such party or parties) or there are legal defenses available to Indemnitee that are not available to the Corporation (or any such other party or parties). Notwithstanding either party’s assumption of responsibility for defense of a Proceeding, each party shall have the right to engage separate legal counsel at its own expense. The party having responsibility for defense of a Proceeding shall provide the other party and its legal counsel with all copies of pleadings and material correspondence relating to the Proceeding. Indemnitee and the Corporation shall reasonably cooperate in the defense of any Proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought hereunder, regardless of whether the Corporation or Indemnitee assumes the defense thereof. Indemnitee may not settle or compromise any Proceeding without the prior written consent of the Corporation (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Corporation may not settle or compromise any proceeding without the prior written consent of Indemnitee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Section 9. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 8(a), the Corporation shall advance Expenses necessary to defend against a Claim pursuant to Section 7 hereof. If any determination by the Corporation is required by applicable law with respect to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification, such determination shall be made (i) if Indemnitee shall request such determination be made by the Independent Counsel, by the Independent Counsel and (ii) in all other circumstances in any manner permitted by the DGCL. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Person(s) making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including, without limitation, providing to such Person(s), upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Person(s) making such determination shall be borne by the Corporation (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Corporation hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Corporation will not deny any written request for indemnification hereunder made in good faith by Indemnitee unless a determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification described in this Section 9(a) has been made. The Corporation agrees to pay Expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify the Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(b) In the event that the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, (i) the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Corporation within ten (10) days of the Submission Date, (ii) the Corporation shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and (iii) Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Corporation Indemnitee’s written objection to such

 

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selection. Absent a timely objection, the Person so selected shall act as the Independent Counsel. If a timely objection is made by Indemnitee, the Person so selected may not serve as the Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn. If no Independent Counsel shall have been selected (whether due to a failure of the Corporation to appoint such Independent Counsel, an un-withdrawn objection from Indemnitee with respect to the person so appointed or otherwise) before the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof (the date of such submission, the “Submission Date”) and (ii) ten (10) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding for which indemnity is sought, then (x) each of the Corporation and Indemnitee shall select a Person meeting the qualifications to serve as the Independent Counsel and (y) such Persons shall (collectively) select the Independent Counsel. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 11(a) of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

Section 10. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Person(s) making such determination shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 8(a) of this Agreement, and the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any Person(s) of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including, without limitation, by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including, without limitation, by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) Subject to Section 11(e), if the Person(s) empowered or selected under Section 9 hereof to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Corporation of the request therefore, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such sixty (60) day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if (i) the determination is to be made by the Independent Counsel and Indemnitee objects to the Corporation’s selection of the Independent Counsel and (ii) the Independent Counsel ultimately selected requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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(d) Effect of Settlement. To the fullest extent permitted by law, settlement of any Proceeding without any finding of responsibility, wrongdoing or guilt on the part of Indemnitee with respect to claims asserted in such Proceeding shall constitute a conclusive determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect to such Proceeding.

(e) Reliance as Safe Harbor. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 10(e) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(f) Actions of Others. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any Representative (other than Indemnitee) of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 11. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Subject to Section 11(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after the Submission Date, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 4, 5 or 9(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Corporation of a written request therefore, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 2, 3 or 6 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or (vi) in the event that the Corporation or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee, the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification and/or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Corporation shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11,

 

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absent (i) a misstatement by the Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission by the Indemnitee of a material fact necessary to make the Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Corporation that Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder. In addition, the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all such Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Corporation of a written request therefore) advance, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Corporation under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Corporation, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding; provided that, in absence of any such determination with respect to such Proceeding, the Corporation shall pay Liabilities and advance Expenses with respect to such Proceeding as if Indemnitee had been determined to be entitled to indemnification and advancement of Expenses with respect to such Proceeding.

Section 12. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and/or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) The Corporation hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor

 

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Entity). The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Corporation shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of the Indemnity Obligations, (ii) the Corporation shall be primarily liable for all Indemnity Obligations and any indemnification afforded to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of Indemnity Obligations, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including, without limitation, this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Corporation hereunder, (iv) the Corporation shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or insurer of any such Person and (v) the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Corporation hereunder. In the event that any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnity Obligation owed by the Corporation or payable under any insurance policy provided under this Agreement, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Corporation or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Corporation or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnity Obligation of the Corporation under this Agreement by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers, affect the obligations of the Corporation hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnity Obligation to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). Any indemnification and/or insurance or advancement of Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity), with respect to any liability arising as a result of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or capacity as an officer or director of any Person, is specifically in excess of any Indemnity Obligation of the Corporation or valid and any collectible insurance (including, without limitation, any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Corporation under this Agreement, and any obligation to provide indemnification and/or insurance or advance Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) shall be reduced by any amount that Indemnitee collects from the Corporation as an indemnification payment or advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) To the extent that the Corporation maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for Representatives of the Corporation or of any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such Representative under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Corporation maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for Representatives of the Corporation or of any other Enterprise, the Corporation shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policy or policies. The Corporation shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

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(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Corporation shall not be subrogated to, and hereby waives any rights to be subrogated to, any rights of recovery of Indemnitee, including, without limitation, rights of indemnification provided to Indemnitee from any other Person or entity with whom Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) as well as any rights to contribution that might otherwise exist; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of any such payment of all rights of recovery of Indemnitee under insurance policies of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

(e) The indemnification and contribution provided for in this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Indemnitee.

Section 13. Duration of Agreement; Not Employment Contract. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the latest of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a Representative of the Corporation or any other Enterprise and (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement relating thereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a Representative of the Corporation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and the DGCL.

Section 14. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 15. Enforcement.

(a) The Corporation expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a Representative of the Corporation, and the Corporation acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a Representative of the Corporation.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefore, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

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Section 16. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties thereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

Section 17. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Corporation.

(b) If to the Corporation to:

Burlington Stores, Inc.

1830 Route 130 North

Burlington, New Jersey 08016

United States of America

Fax: (609) 239-9675

Attention: General Counsel

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice to the Corporation):

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

United States of America

Fax: (212) 446-6460

Attention: Joshua N. Korff, Esq. and

Christopher A. Kitchen, Esq.

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Corporation.

Section 18. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Corporation, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of the Proceeding in order to reflect (a) the relative benefits received by the Corporation and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (b) the relative fault of the Corporation (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

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Section 19. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Corporation and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

Section 20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 21. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Sponsor Entities are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

Section 22. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

 

Name:

Title:

 

INDEMNITEE:

 

[                    ]

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

EX-10.44

Exhibit 10.44

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

 

 

2013 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this BURLINGTON STORES, INC. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XV.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1 “Affiliate means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (d) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Award constitutes “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.2 “Award means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, a written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

2.3 “Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award.

2.4 “Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5 “Cause means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of


Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to a Participant’s insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform the Participant’s duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity or materially unsatisfactory performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Delaware law.

2.6 “Change in Control has the meaning set forth in 11.2.

2.7 “Change in Control Price has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.

2.8 “Codemeans the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.

2.9 “Committee means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan.

2.10 “Common Stock means the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.

2.11 “Company means Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

2.12 “Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant to the Company or its Affiliates.

2.13 “Disability means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.

2.14 “Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XV.

2.15 “Eligible Employees means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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2.16 “Eligible Individual means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.17 “Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.18 “Fair Market Value means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

2.19 “Family Member means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.

2.20 “Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if any) under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.21 “Lead Underwriterhas the meaning set forth in Section 14.20.

2.22 “Lock-Up Period has the meaning set forth in Section 14.20.

2.23 “Non-Employee Director means a director or a member of the Board of the Company or any Affiliate who is not an active employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.24 “Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.25 “Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to receive an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised, and (y) the aggregate exercise price of such right, otherwise than on surrender of a Stock Option.

2.26 “Other Cash-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.3 of the Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

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2.27 “Other Extraordinary Eventhas the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).

2.28 “Other Stock-Based Award means an Award under Article X of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including, without limitation, an Award valued by reference to an Affiliate.

2.29 “Parent means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.30 “Participantmeans an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.31 “Performance Award means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article IX hereof contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.

2.32 “Performance Goals means goals established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable based on one or more of the performance goals set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

2.33 “Performance Period means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.

2.34 “Plan means this Burlington Stores, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.35 “Proceedinghas the meaning set forth in Section 14.9.

2.36 “Reference Stock Option has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

2.37 “Registration Date means the date on which the Company sells its Common Stock in a bona fide, firm commitment underwriting pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act.

2.38 “Restricted Stock means an Award of shares of Common Stock under the Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VIII.

2.39 “Restriction Period has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock.

2.40 “Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

2.41 “Section 4.2 Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).

2.42 “Section 162(m) of the Code means the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations thereunder.

 

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2.43 “Section 409A of the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.

2.44 “Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.45 “Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII.

2.46 “Stock Option or Option means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI.

2.47 “Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.48 “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (i) the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock covered by such Stock Option (or such portion thereof), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Option (or such portion thereof).

2.49 “Ten Percent Stockholdermeans a person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.50 “Terminationmeans a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

2.51 “Termination of Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Consultant’s consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Consultancy” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

 

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2.52 “Termination of Directorship means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s directorship, such Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.

2.53 “Termination of Employment means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Eligible Employee’s employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Employment” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.54 “Transfer means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in any entity), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in any entity) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “Transferred” and “Transferable” shall have a correlative meaning.

2.55 “Transition Period means the period beginning with the Registration Date and ending as of the earlier of: (i) the date of the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Company at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Registration Date occurs; and (ii) the expiration of the “reliance period” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(f)(2).

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee. To the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall qualify as (a) a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3, (b) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code and (c) an “independent director” under the rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association, as applicable. If it is later determined that one or more members of the Committee do not so qualify, actions taken by the Committee prior to such determination shall be valid despite such failure to qualify.

 

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3.2 Grants of Awards. The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to Eligible Individuals: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock, (iv) Performance Awards; (v) Other Stock-Based Awards; and (vi) Other Cash-Based Awards. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority:

(a) to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(b) to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;

(c) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(d) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

(e) to determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(f) to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(g) to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted Stock under Section 6.4(d);

(h) to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;

(i) to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition or exercise of such Award;

(j) to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to Article XII and Section 6.4(l), provided, however, that such action does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant; and

(k) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise Options under the Plan.

 

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3.3 Guidelines. Subject to Article XII hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent. To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3, and with respect to Awards intended to be “performance-based,” the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.

3.4 Decisions Final. Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

3.5 Procedures. If the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

3.6 Designation of Consultants/Liability.

(a) The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.

(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel,

 

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consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.

3.7 Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification the employees, officers, directors or members or former officers, directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to such individual under the Plan.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1 Shares. (a) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed [] shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be [] shares. With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights settled in Common Stock, upon settlement, only the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to a Participant (based on the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Appreciation Right on the date such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised and the exercise price of each Stock Appreciation Right on the date such Stock Appreciation Right was awarded) shall count against the aggregate and individual share limitations set forth under Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b). If any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Awards granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any unexercised Award shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan. If any shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock awarded under the Plan to a Participant are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock shall again be available for purposes of Awards under the Plan. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option, such grant shall only apply once against

 

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the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan. Any Award under the Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations.

(b) Individual Participant Limitations. To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards under the Plan to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the following individual Participant limitations shall only apply after the expiration of the Transition Period:

(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options, or Stock Appreciation Rights, or shares of Restricted Stock, or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant of such Award or the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is subject to the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 8.3(a)(ii) which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be [] shares per type of Award (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), provided that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for all types of Awards does not exceed [] shares (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) during any fiscal year of the Company. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with a Stock Option, it shall apply against the Participant’s individual share limitations for both Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options.

(ii) There are no annual individual share limitations applicable to Participants on Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant, vesting or payment (as applicable) of any such Award is not subject to the attainment of Performance Goals.

(iii) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be [] shares (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) with respect to any fiscal year of the Company.

(iv) The maximum value of a cash payment made under a Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan with respect to any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be $[].

(v) The individual Participant limitations set forth in this Section 4.1(b) (other than Section 4.1(b)(iii)) shall be cumulative; that is, to the extent that shares of Common Stock for which Awards are permitted to be granted to a Participant during a fiscal year are not covered by an Award to such Participant in a fiscal year, the number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards to such Participant shall automatically increase in the subsequent fiscal years during the term of the Plan until used.

4.2 Changes.

(a) The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate,

 

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(iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.1, if there shall occur any such change in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification of shares that may be issued under the Plan, any recapitalization, any merger, any consolidation, any spin off, any reorganization or any partial or complete liquidation, or any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing (a “Section 4.2 Event”), then (i) the aggregate number and/or kind of shares that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number and/or kind of shares or other property (including cash) to be issued upon exercise of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan, and/or (iii) the purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted. In addition, subject to Section 11.1, if there shall occur any change in the capital structure or the business of the Company that is not a Section 4.2 Event (an “Other Extraordinary Event”), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether cash or stock), any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of stock, or any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, then the Committee, in its sole discretion, may adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to the Plan. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be consistent with the applicable Section 4.2 Event or the applicable Other Extraordinary Event, as the case may be, and in such manner as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate and equitable to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan. Any such adjustment determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any Section 4.2 Event or any Other Extraordinary Event.

(c) Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

4.3 Minimum Purchase Price. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 General Eligibility. All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2 Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3 General Requirement. The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, respectively.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1 Options. Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2 Grants. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3 Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

6.4 Terms of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

 

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(b) Stock Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years.

(c) Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after the time of grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.4(c), to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option, or by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the Participant, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e) Non-Transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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(f) Termination by Death or Disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(g) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(h) Voluntary Resignation. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(i)(y) hereof), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(i) Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (x) is for Cause or (y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Section 6.4(h)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(j) Unvested Stock Options. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(k) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or

 

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any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(l) Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options. Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

(m) Deferred Delivery of Common Stock. The Committee may in its discretion permit Participants to defer delivery of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a Participant’s exercise of an Option in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, which shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(n) Early Exercise. The Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Stock Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article VIII and be treated as Restricted Stock. Unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.

(o) Other Terms and Conditions. The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

 

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ARTICLE VII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option (a “Reference Stock Option”) granted under the Plan (“Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights”). In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.

7.2 Terms and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

(b) Term. A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock Option shall not be reduced until, and then only to the extent that the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes, the number of shares covered by the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and unexercised under the Reference Stock Option.

(c) Exercisability. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.4(c).

(d) Method of Exercise. A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the Reference Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2. Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent that the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

(e) Payment. Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise price per share specified in the Reference Stock Option agreement multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

 

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(f) Deemed Exercise of Reference Stock Option. Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Reference Stock Option or part thereof to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in Article IV of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.

(g) Non-Transferability. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be Transferable under Section 6.4(e) of the Plan.

7.3 Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted without reference to any Stock Options granted under the Plan.

7.4 Terms and Conditions of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

(b) Term. The term of each Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not be greater than 10 years after the date the right is granted.

(c) Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.4, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such right may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 7.4(c), Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights to be exercised.

(e) Payment. Upon the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an

 

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amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.

(f) Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights will remain exercisable following a Participant’s Termination on the same basis as Stock Options would be exercisable following a Participant’s Termination in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.4(f) through 6.4(j).

(g) Non-Transferability. No Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.

7.5 Limited Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Tandem and Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights either as a general Stock Appreciation Right or as a Limited Stock Appreciation Right. Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate at the time of grant or thereafter. Upon the exercise of Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall receive in cash and/or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, an amount equal to the amount (i) set forth in Section 7.2(e) with respect to Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, or (ii) set forth in Section 7.4(e) with respect to Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.6 Other Terms and Conditions. The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant has failed to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Right on the date of expiration of such Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Appreciation Rights may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

ARTICLE VIII

RESTRICTED STOCK

8.1 Awards of Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards.

 

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The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including, the Performance Goals) or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, including to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

8.2 Awards and Certificates. Eligible Individuals selected to receive Restricted Stock shall not have any right with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement evidencing the Award to the Company, to the extent required by the Committee, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further, such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Purchase Price. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. Subject to Section 4.3, the purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.

(b) Acceptance. Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of 60 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify at grant) after the grant date, by executing a Restricted Stock agreement and by paying whatever price (if any) the Committee has designated thereunder.

(c) Legend. Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock, unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by applicable securities laws, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

“The anticipation, alienation, attachment, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge of the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Burlington Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and an Agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company dated                     . Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company.”

(d) Custody. If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.

 

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8.3 Restrictions and Conditions. The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(a) Restriction Period. (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event that would accelerate vesting of the shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii) and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award.

(ii) If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage of the Restricted Stock applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. With regard to a Restricted Stock Award that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect.

(b) Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided in Section 8.3(a) and this Section 8.3(b) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine at the time of grant that the payment of dividends shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period.

(c) Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.

(d) Lapse of Restrictions. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.

 

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ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

9.1 Performance Awards. The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals. The Committee may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, as well as Performance Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Performance Award is payable in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be transferable to the Participant only upon attainment of the relevant Performance Goal in accordance with Article VIII. If the Performance Award is payable in cash, it may be paid upon the attainment of the relevant Performance Goals either in cash or in shares of Restricted Stock (based on the then current Fair Market Value of such shares), as determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Performance Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form that is not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee may from time to time approve. With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall condition the right to payment of any Performance Award upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(c).

9.2 Terms and Conditions. Performance Awards awarded pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Earning of Performance Award. At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(c) are achieved and the percentage of each Performance Award that has been earned.

(b) Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, Performance Awards may not be Transferred during the Performance Period.

(c) Objective Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards. With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the earning of Performance Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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(d) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, amounts equal to dividends declared during the Performance Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Award will not be paid to the Participant.

(e) Payment. Following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Section 9.2(a), the Company shall settle Performance Awards, in such form (including, without limitation, in shares of Common Stock or in cash) as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to such Participant’s earned Performance Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, award an amount less than the earned Performance Awards and/or subject the payment of all or part of any Performance Award to additional vesting, forfeiture and deferral conditions as it deems appropriate.

(f) Termination. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a given Performance Award, the Performance Award in question will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant.

(g) Accelerated Vesting. Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee may, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance Award.

ARTICLE X

OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH-BASED AWARDS

10.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, stock equivalent units, restricted stock units, and Awards valued by reference to book value of shares of Common Stock. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion; provided that to the extent that such Other Stock-Based Awards are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the grant or vesting of such Other Stock-Based Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable

 

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Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

10.2 Terms and Conditions. Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under this Article X may not be Transferred prior to the date on which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.

(b) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award.

(c) Vesting. Any Award under this Article X and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

(d) Price. Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration. Common Stock purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article X shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

10.3 Other Cash-Based Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Other Cash-Based Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Other Cash-Based Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of an Other Cash-Based Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE XI

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

11.1 Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s unvested Award shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Award shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Common Stock on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards; provided that in the event that such exercise price does not exceed such Change in Control Price, the Awards may be cancelled for no consideration. For purposes hereof, “Change in Control Price” shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.

11.2 Change in Control. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if:

(a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, Bain Capital Partners, LLC and funds or partnerships related to, or managed or advised by any of them or any Affiliate of them, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

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(b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in paragraph (a), (c), or (d) of this Section 11.2 or a director whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such term is used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(c) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 11.2(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company; or

(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

11.3 Initial Public Offering not a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the Plan, the occurrence of the Registration Date or any change in the composition of the Board within one year following the Registration Date shall not be considered a Change in Control.

 

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ARTICLE XII

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

12.1 Termination or Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XIV or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided further, that without the approval of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of Section 4.2); (ii) increase the maximum individual Participant limitations for a fiscal year under Section 4.1(b) (except by operation of Section 4.2); (iii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (iv) decrease the minimum option price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; (v) extend the maximum option period under Section 6.4; (vi) alter the Performance Goals for Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards as set forth in Exhibit A hereto; (vii) award any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in replacement of a canceled Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a higher exercise price than the replacement award; or (viii) require stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code or, to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code. In no event may the Plan be amended without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, decrease the minimum exercise price of any Award, or to make any other amendment that would require stockholder approval under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and regulations or the rules of any exchange or system on which the Company’s securities are listed or traded at the request of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with applicable law including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

ARTICLE XIII

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

14.1 Legend. The Committee may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

14.2 Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

14.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy. Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

14.4 Withholding of Taxes. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.

14.5 No Assignment of Benefits. No Award or other benefit payable under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.

 

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14.6 Listing and Other Conditions.

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

(b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 14.6, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

14.7 Stockholders Agreement and Other Requirements. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver a stockholder’s agreement or such other documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Board or Committee shall from time to time establish. Such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation shall apply to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation. The Company may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or other agreement).

14.8 Governing Law. The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

14.9 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court of competent

 

28


jurisdiction in respect of any thereof, shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “Proceeding”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, the court of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and each Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

14.10 Construction. Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

14.11 Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefit under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

14.12 Costs. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to Awards hereunder.

14.13 No Right to Same Benefits. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

14.14 Death/Disability. The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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14.15 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. All elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

14.16 Section 409A of the Code. The Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.

14.17 Successor and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

14.18 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

14.19 Payments to Minors, Etc. Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

14.20 Lock-Up Agreement. As a condition to the grant of an Award, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock (the “Lead Underwriter), a Participant shall irrevocably agree not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to

 

30


purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into, derivative of, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any other rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during such period of time following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that the Lead Underwriter shall specify (the “Lock-Up Period”). The Participant shall further agree to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award until the end of such Lock-Up Period.

14.21 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

14.22 Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (i) prior to the Registration Date and during the Transition Period, the provisions of the Plan requiring compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall only apply to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, and (ii) the provisions of the Plan requiring compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code shall not apply to Awards granted under the Plan that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

14.23 Post-Transition Period. Following the Transition Period, any Award granted under the Plan that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be subject to the approval of the material terms of the Plan by a majority of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

14.24 Company Recoupment of Awards. A Participant’s rights with respect to any Award hereunder shall in all events be subject to (i) any right that the Company may have under any Company recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with a Participant, or (ii) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan shall become effective on [], 2013, which is the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE XVI

TERM OF PLAN

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted

 

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prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date; provided that no Award (other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right) that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be granted on or after the fifth anniversary of the stockholder approval of the Plan unless the Performance Goals are re-approved (or other designated Performance Goals are approved) by the stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders approve the Performance Goals.

ARTICLE XVII

NAME OF PLAN

The Plan shall be known as the “Burlington Stores, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.”

 

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EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE GOALS

To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, performance goals established for purposes of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be based on the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase or decrease (as applicable) in one or more of the following performance goals:

 

    earnings per share;

 

    operating income;

 

    gross income;

 

    net income (before or after taxes);

 

    cash flow;

 

    gross profit;

 

    gross profit return on investment;

 

    gross margin return on investment;

 

    gross margin;

 

    operating margin;

 

    working capital;

 

    earnings before interest and taxes;

 

    earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization;

 

    return on equity;

 

    return on assets;

 

    return on capital;

 

    return on invested capital;

 

    net revenues;

 

    gross revenues;

 

    revenue growth;

 

    annual recurring revenues;

 

    recurring revenues;

 

    license revenues;

 

    sales or market share;

 

    total shareholder return;

 

    economic value added;

 

    specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

    the fair market value of a share of Common Stock;

 

    the growth in the value of an investment in the Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; or

 

    reduction in operating expenses.

 

A-1


With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, also exclude, or adjust to reflect, the impact of an event or occurrence that the Committee determines should be appropriately excluded or adjusted, including:

(a) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items or events, and other unusual or non-recurring charges as described in Accounting Standards Codification 225-20, “Extraordinary and Unusual Items,” and/or management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K for the applicable year;

(b) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management; or

(c) a change in tax law or accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.

Performance goals may also be based upon individual participant performance goals, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. In addition, Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code may be based on the performance goals set forth herein or on such other performance goals as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

In addition, such performance goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division, other operational unit, administrative department or product category of the Company) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, but only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder approval), the Committee may also:

(a) designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based; or

(b) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.

 

A-2

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Burlington Stores, Inc.

 

                                                         

Exact Name of Subsidiaries of Registrant as Specified in their Charter

   State or Other Jurisdiction  of
Incorporation or Organization

Burlington Holdings, LLC

   Delaware

Burlington Holdings Finance, Inc.

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, LLC

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory of Alabama, LLC

   Alabama

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Huntsville LLC

   Alabama

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Anchorage, Inc.

   Alaska

Burlington Coat Factory of Arizona, LLC

   Arizona

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Desert Sky, Inc.

   Arizona

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Mesa, Inc.

   Arizona

Burlington Coat Factory of Arkansas, LLC

   Arkansas

Baby Depot of California, LLC

   California

Burlington Coat Factory of California, LLC

   California

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Dublin, Inc.

   California

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Florin, Inc.

   California

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Ventura, Inc.

   California

Burlington Coat Factory of San Bernardino, LLC

   California

MJM Designer Shoes of California, LLC

   California

Burlington Coat Factory of Colorado, LLC

   Colorado

Burlington Coat Factory of Connecticut, LLC

   Connecticut

Burlington Coat Realty of East Windsor, Inc.

   Connecticut

Cohoes Fashions of Connecticut, LLC

   Connecticut

Burlington Coat Factory of Delaware, LLC

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory of Texas, Inc.

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory of Texas, L.P.

   Delaware

Burlington Coat Factory Realty Corp.

   Delaware

Burlington Shell 1, Inc.

   Delaware

C.F.I.C. Corporation

   Delaware

MJM Designer Shoes of Delaware, LLC

   Delaware

Scottchris, LLC

   Delaware

Bee Ridge Plaza, LLC

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory of Florida, LLC

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Coral Springs, Inc.

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Orlando, Inc.

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Sarasota, Inc.

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of University Square, Inc.

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of West Colonial, Inc.

   Florida

K&T Acquisition Corp.

   Florida

MJM Designer Shoes of Florida, LLC

   Florida

Burlington Coat Factory of Georgia, LLC

   Georgia

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Morrow, Inc.

   Georgia

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Atlanta, Inc.

   Georgia

Burlington Coat Factory of Hawaii, LLC

   Hawaii

Burlington Coat Factory of Idaho, LLC

   Idaho

Burlington Coat Factory of Illinois, LLC

   Illinois

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Bloomingdale, Inc.

   Illinois

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of River Oaks, Inc.

   Illinois

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of East St. Louis, Inc.

   Illinois

Burlington Coat Realty of Gurnee, Inc.

   Illinois


                                                         

Burlington Coat Factory of Indiana, LLC

   Indiana

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Greenwood, Inc.

   Indiana

Burlington Coat Factory of Iowa, LLC

   Iowa

Burlington Coat Factory of Kansas, LLC

   Kansas

Burlington Coat Factory of Kentucky, Inc.

   Kentucky

Burlington Coat Factory of Louisiana, LLC

   Louisiana

Burlington Coat Factory of Maine, LLC

   Maine

Burlington Coat Factory of Maryland, LLC

   Maryland

Burlington Coat Factory of Massachusetts, LLC

   Massachusetts

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of North Attleboro, Inc.

   Massachusetts

Cohoes Fashions of Massachusetts, LLC

   Massachusetts

Burlington Coat Factory of Michigan, LLC

   Michigan

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Detroit, Inc.

   Michigan

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Grand Rapids, Inc.

   Michigan

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Redford, Inc.

   Michigan

Burlington Coat Factory of Minnesota, LLC

   Minnesota

Burlington Coat Factory of Mississippi, LLC

   Mississippi

Burlington Coat Factory of Missouri, LLC

   Missouri

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Des Peres, Inc.

   Missouri

Burlington Coat Factory of Montana, LLC

   Montana

Burlington Coat Factory of Nebraska, LLC

   Nebraska

Burlington Coat Factory of Nevada, LLC

   Nevada

Burlington Coat Realty of Las Vegas, Inc.

   Nevada

Burlington Coat Factory of New Hampshire, LLC

   New Hampshire

Burlington Coat Factory Direct Corporation

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory of New Jersey, LLC

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Edgewater Park, Inc.

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Paramus, Inc.

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Pinebrook, Inc.

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Edgewater Park, Inc.

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Edgewater Park Urban Renewal Corp.

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of New Jersey, Inc.

   New Jersey

Cohoes Fashions of New Jersey, LLC

   New Jersey

MJM Designer Shoes of Moorestown, Inc.

   New Jersey

MJM Designer Shoes of New Jersey, LLC

   New Jersey

Super Baby Depot of Moorestown, Inc.

   New Jersey

BCF Florence Urban Renewal, LLC

   New Jersey

Burlington Coat Factory of New Mexico, LLC

   New Mexico

Burlington Coat Factory of New York, LLC

   New York

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Yonkers, Inc.

   New York

Cohoes Fashions of New York, LLC

   New York

Georgetown Fashions Inc.

   New York

LC Acquisition Corp.

   New York

MJM Designer Shoes of New York, LLC

   New York

Monroe G. Milstein, Inc.

   New York

Burlington Coat Factory of North Carolina, LLC

   North Carolina

Burlington Coat Factory of North Dakota, LLC

   North Dakota

Burlington Coat Factory of Ohio, LLC

   Ohio

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Cleveland, Inc.

   Ohio

Burlington Coat Factory of Oklahoma, LLC

   Oklahoma

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Tulsa, Inc.

   Oklahoma

Burlington Coat Factory of Oregon, LLC

   Oregon

Burlington Coat Factory of Pennsylvania, LLC

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Langhorne, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of West Mifflin, Inc.

   Pennsylvania


                                                         

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Whitehall, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Bristol, LLC

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Cheltenham, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Langhorne, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Montgomeryville, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Factory Warehouse of Reading, Inc.

   Pennsylvania

MJM Designer Shoes of Pennsylvania, LLC

   Pennsylvania

Burlington Coat Factory of Puerto Rico, LLC

   Puerto Rico

Burlington Coat Factory of Rhode Island, LLC

   Rhode Island

Cohoes Fashions of Cranston, Inc.

   Rhode Island

Burlington Coat Factory of South Carolina, LLC

   South Carolina

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Charleston, Inc.

   South Carolina

Burlington Coat Factory of South Dakota, LLC

   South Dakota

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Memphis, Inc.

   Tennessee

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Hickory Commons, Inc.

   Tennessee

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Memphis, Inc.

   Tennessee

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Shelby, Inc.

   Tennessee

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Bellaire, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of El Paso, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Westmoreland, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Baytown, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Realty of Houston, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Realty of Plano, Inc.

   Texas

MJM Designer Shoes of Texas, Inc.

   Texas

Burlington Coat Factory of Utah, LLC

   Utah

Burlington Coat Factory of Vermont, LLC

   Vermont

BCF Cards, Inc.

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory of Virginia, LLC

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory of Pocono Crossing, LLC

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Coliseum, Inc.

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Fairfax, Inc.

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Coliseum, Inc.

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Realty of Potomac, Inc.

   Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory of Washington, LLC

   Washington

Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Franklin, Inc.

   Washington

Burlington Coat Factory of West Virginia, LLC

   West Virginia

Burlington Coat Factory of Wisconsin, LLC

   Wisconsin