Long-Term Debt |
Long-term debt consists of the following, as of the dates indicated (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | March 30, 2024 | | December 30, 2023 | Revolving credit loans | | $ | 160,000 | | $ | 170,000 | Tranche B term loans due 2026 | | | 528,625 | | | 528,625 | 5.25% senior notes due 2025 | | | 265,392 | | | 265,392 | 5.25% senior notes due 2027 | | | 550,000 | | | 550,000 | 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 | | | 550,000 | | | 550,000 | Unamortized deferred debt financing costs | | | (14,423) | | | (15,319) | Unamortized discount/premium | | | (3,441) | | | (3,610) | Total long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred debt financing costs and discount/premium | | | 2,036,153 | | | 2,045,088 | Current portion of long-term debt | | | (22,000) | | | (22,000) | Long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred debt financing costs and discount/premium, and excluding current portion | | $ | 2,014,153 | | $ | 2,023,088 |
As of March 30, 2024, the aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt were as follows (in thousands): | | | | Aggregate Contractual Maturities | Fiscal year: | | | 2024 remaining | $ | 22,000 | 2025 | | 425,392 | 2026 | | 528,625 | 2027 | | 550,000 | 2028 | | 528,000 | Thereafter | | — | Total | $ | 2,054,017 |
Senior Secured Credit Agreement. Our senior secured credit agreement includes a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility. During the first quarter of 2023, we made a mandatory prepayment of $50.0 million principal amount of tranche B term loans with proceeds from the Back to Nature sale and optional prepayments of $71.0 million of tranche B term loans from cash on hand. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we made a mandatory prepayment of $22.0 million principal amount of tranche B term loans with proceeds from the sale of the Green Giant U.S. shelf-stable product line. As of March 30, 2024, $528.6 million of tranche B term loans remained outstanding. See Note 17, “Subsequent Events.” The tranche B term loans mature on October 10, 2026. During the second quarter of 2023, we amended our credit agreement to transition the interest rate based on LIBOR available for borrowings under the credit agreement and related LIBOR-based mechanics to an interest rate based on SOFR and related SOFR-based mechanics, effective July 1, 2023. Prior to the transition to SOFR, interest under the tranche B term loan facility was determined based on alternative rates that we chose in accordance with our credit agreement, including a base rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 1.50%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. Effective July 1, 2023, interest under the tranche B term loan facility is determined based on alternative rates that we may choose in accordance with our credit agreement, including a base rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 1.50%, and SOFR plus an applicable margin of 2.50%. As of March 30, 2024, the available borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit of $4.9 million, was $635.1 million. Proceeds of the revolving credit facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions of targets in the same or a similar line of business as our company, subject to specified criteria. The revolving credit facility matures on December 16, 2025. Prior to the transition to SOFR, interest under the revolving credit facility, including any outstanding letters of credit, was determined based on alternative rates that we chose in accordance with the credit agreement, including a base rate per annum plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%, in each case depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. Effective July 1, 2023, interest under the revolving credit facility, including any outstanding letters of credit, is determined based on alternative rates that we may choose in accordance with the credit agreement, including a base rate per annum plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, and SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%, in each case depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. We are required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The maximum letter of credit capacity under the revolving credit facility is $50.0 million, with a fronting fee of 0.25% per annum for all outstanding letters of credit and a letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin for revolving loans that are SOFR (previously LIBOR) loans. We may prepay term loans or permanently reduce the revolving credit facility commitment under the credit agreement at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to the early termination of SOFR (previously LIBOR) loans). Subject to certain exceptions, the credit agreement provides for mandatory prepayment upon certain asset dispositions or casualty events and issuances of indebtedness. Our obligations under the credit agreement are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our existing and certain future domestic subsidiaries (other than a domestic subsidiary that is a holding company for one or more foreign subsidiaries). The credit agreement is secured by substantially all of our and our domestic subsidiaries’ assets except our and our domestic subsidiaries’ real property. The credit agreement contains customary restrictive covenants, subject to certain permitted amounts and exceptions, including covenants limiting our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, repurchase shares of our outstanding stock and create certain liens. The credit agreement also contains certain financial maintenance covenants, which, among other things, specify a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio, each ratio as defined in the credit agreement. On June 28, 2022, we amended our credit agreement to temporarily increase the maximum consolidated leverage ratio permitted under our revolving credit facility. The amendment provides that our maximum consolidated leverage ratio (defined as the ratio, determined on a pro forma basis, of our consolidated net debt, as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to our adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) before share-based compensation for such period), increased from 7.00 to 1.00 to 7.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ended July 2, 2022, and then increased to 8.00 to 1.00 for the quarter ended October 1, 2022 through the quarter ending September 30, 2023. The maximum consolidated leverage ratio decreased to 7.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ending December 30, 2023 and returned to 7.00 to 1.00 for the quarters ending March 30, 2024 and thereafter. We are also required to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio (defined as the ratio, determined on a pro forma basis, of our adjusted EBITDA (before share-based compensation) for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to our consolidated interest expense for such period payable in cash) of at least 1.75 to 1.00. As of March 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the covenants, including the financial covenants, in the credit agreement. The credit agreement also provides for an incremental term loan and revolving loan facility, pursuant to which we may request that the lenders under the credit agreement, and potentially other lenders, provide unlimited additional amounts of term loans or revolving loans or both on terms substantially consistent with those provided under the credit agreement. Among other things, the utilization of the incremental facility is conditioned on our ability to meet a maximum senior secured leverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00, and a sufficient number of lenders or new lenders agreeing to participate in the facility. 5.25% Senior Notes due 2025. On April 3, 2017, we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due 2025 at a price to the public of 100% of their face value. On November 20, 2017, we issued an additional $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due 2025 at a price to the public of 101% of their face value plus accrued interest from October 1, 2017. The notes issued in November 2017 were issued as additional notes under the same indenture as our 5.25% senior notes due 2025 that were issued in April 2017, and, as such, form a single series and trade interchangeably with the previously issued 5.25% senior notes due 2025. We used the net proceeds of the April 2017 offering to repay all of the then outstanding borrowings and amounts due under our revolving credit facility and tranche A term loans, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. We used the net proceeds of the November 2017 offering to repay all of the then outstanding borrowings and amounts due under our revolving credit facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2017. The 5.25% senior notes due 2025 will mature on April 1, 2025, unless earlier retired or redeemed as described below. We may redeem some or all of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, if we undergo a change of control or upon certain asset sales, we may be required to offer to repurchase the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 at the repurchase price set forth in the indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. We may also, from time to time, seek to retire the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 through cash repurchases of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 and/or exchanges of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. During fiscal 2023, we repurchased $79.2 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 in open market purchases at an average discounted repurchase price of 97.24% of such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of our 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028, together with cash on hand, to redeem at par $555.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.25% senior notes due 2025 on October 12, 2023 and to pay accrued and unpaid interest and related fees and expenses. As of March 30, 2024, $265.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 remain outstanding. Our obligations under the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our existing and certain future domestic subsidiaries. The 5.25% senior notes due 2025 and the subsidiary guarantees are our and the guarantors’ general unsecured obligations and are effectively junior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ secured indebtedness and to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries; are pari passu in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior debt; and are senior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ future subordinated debt. Our foreign subsidiaries are not guarantors, and any future foreign or partially owned domestic subsidiaries will not be guarantors, of the 5.25% senior notes due 2025. The indenture governing the 5.25% senior notes due 2025 contains covenants with respect to us and the guarantors and restricts the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of capital stock; the payment of dividends or distributions on, and redemption of, capital stock; a number of other restricted payments, including certain investments; creation of certain liens; certain sale-leaseback transactions; certain asset sales; fundamental changes, including consolidation, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets; and specified transactions with affiliates. Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. As of March 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the indenture governing the 5.25% senior notes due 2025. 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027. On September 26, 2019, we issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due 2027 at a price to the public of 100% of their face value. We used the proceeds of the offering, together with the proceeds of incremental term loans made during the fourth quarter of 2019, to redeem all of our outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2021, repay a portion of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility, pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2020. The 5.25% senior notes due 2027 will mature on September 15, 2027, unless earlier retired or redeemed as described below. We may redeem some or all of the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 at a redemption price of 102.625% of the principal amount beginning March 1, 2023 and thereafter at prices declining annually to 101.313% on March 1, 2024 and 100% on or after March 1, 2025, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, if we undergo a change of control or upon certain asset sales, we may be required to offer to repurchase the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 at the repurchase price set forth in the indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. We may also, from time to time, seek to retire the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 through cash repurchases of the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 and/or exchanges of the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. Our obligations under the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our existing and certain future domestic subsidiaries. The 5.25% senior notes due 2027 and the subsidiary guarantees are our and the guarantors’ general unsecured obligations and are effectively junior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ secured indebtedness and to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries; are pari passu in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior debt; and are senior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ future subordinated debt. Our foreign subsidiaries are not guarantors, and any future foreign or partially owned domestic subsidiaries will not be guarantors, of the 5.25% senior notes due 2027. The indenture governing the 5.25% senior notes due 2027 contains covenants with respect to us and the guarantors and restricts the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of capital stock; the payment of dividends or distributions on, and redemption of, capital stock; a number of other restricted payments, including certain investments; creation of certain liens; certain sale-leaseback transactions; certain asset sales; fundamental changes, including consolidation, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets; and specified transactions with affiliates. Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. As of March 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the indenture governing the 5.25% senior notes due 2027. 8.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2028. On September 26, 2023, we issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 at a price of 99.502%. The net proceeds from the offering were $538.3 million after deducting discounts, fees and expenses related to the offering. We used the net proceeds of the offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem $555.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.25% senior notes due 2025 on October 12, 2023 and to pay related fees and expenses. Interest on the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2024. The 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 will mature on September 15, 2028, unless earlier retired or redeemed as described below. We may redeem some or all of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 at a redemption price of 104.00% of the principal amount beginning September 15, 2025 and thereafter at prices declining annually to 102.00% on September 15, 2026 and 100.00% on or after September 15, 2027, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of redemption. We may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 prior to September 15, 2025 at a redemption price of 108.00% plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of redemption with the net proceeds from certain equity offerings. We may also redeem some or all of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 at any time prior to September 15, 2025 at a redemption price equal to the make-whole amount set forth in the indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of redemption. In addition, if we undergo a change of control, we may be required to offer to repurchase the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 at 101.00% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of repurchase. Upon certain asset dispositions we may be required to offer to purchase a portion of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 at 100.00% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of repurchase. See “Offer to Partially Repurchase 8.00% Senior Secured Notes Due 2028 Upon Asset Sale” below. We may also, from time to time, seek to retire the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 through cash repurchases of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 and/or exchanges of the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. The 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 are our senior secured obligations and are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of our existing and future domestic subsidiaries (other than immaterial subsidiaries). The 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 have the same guarantors as our credit agreement. The 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 and the related guarantees are secured by, subject to permitted liens, first-priority security interests in certain collateral (which generally includes most of our and our guarantors’ right or interest in or to property of any kind, except for our and our guarantors’ real property and certain intangible assets), which assets also secure (and will continue to secure) our credit agreement on a pari passu basis. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the related collateral agreement and an intercreditor agreement, the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 and the guarantees rank (1) pari passu (equally and ratably) in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future senior debt, including existing and future senior debt under our existing or any future senior secured credit agreement (including the term loan borrowings under our existing senior secured credit facility, any obligations under our existing revolving credit facility and all other borrowings and obligations under our credit agreement), (2) effectively senior in right of payment to our and such guarantors’ existing and future senior unsecured debt, including our 5.25% senior notes due 2025 and 5.25% senior notes due 2027 to the extent of the value of the collateral, (3) effectively junior to our and the guarantors’ future secured debt, secured by assets that do not constitute collateral, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt, (4) senior in right of payment to our and such guarantors’ other existing and future subordinated debt and (5) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028. The indenture governing the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 contains covenants with respect to us and the guarantors and restricts the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of capital stock; the payment of dividends or distributions on, and redemption of, capital stock; a number of other restricted payments, including certain investments; creation of certain liens; certain sale-leaseback transactions; certain asset sales; fundamental changes, including consolidation, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets; and specified transactions with affiliates. Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. As of March 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the indenture governing the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028. Offer to Partially Repurchase 8.00% Senior Secured Notes Due 2028 Upon Asset Sale. During March 2024, B&G Foods commenced an offer to purchase for cash up to $22.0 million principal amount of our 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028 from holders of the notes at a purchase price equal to 100.00% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date fixed for the purchase of the notes tendered pursuant to the offer. The offer was not conditioned upon a minimum principal amount of the notes being tendered. Pursuant to the indenture governing the 8.00% senior secured notes due 2028, the offer was required to be made as a result of the Green Giant U.S. shelf stable divestiture. See Note 17, “Subsequent Events.” Subsidiary Guarantees. We have no assets or operations independent of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. All of our present domestic subsidiaries jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guarantee our long-term debt. There are no significant restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to obtain funds from our respective subsidiaries by dividend or loan. See Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Supplemental Financial Information about B&G Foods and Guarantor Subsidiaries.” Accrued Interest. At March 30, 2024 and December 30, 2023, accrued interest of $11.1 million and $24.5 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
|