Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
DENNY’S CORPORATION
Section 1. LAW, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
1.1. These bylaws are subject to the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). In these bylaws, references to law, the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws mean the law, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and these bylaws as from time to time in effect.
Section 2. STOCKHOLDERS
2.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be on such date and at such place as may be designated by the board of directors, unless that day is a legal holiday at the place where the meeting is to be held, in which case the meeting shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding day that is not a legal holiday, or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. At the annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders shall elect a board of directors and transact such other business as may be required by law or these bylaws or as may properly come before the meeting.
2.2. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, if any, the president or the board of directors and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of any stockholder holding of record at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders shall be called by the secretary, or in the case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the secretary, by an assistant secretary or some other officer, upon application of a majority of the directors. Any such application shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Any such call shall state the place, date, hour, and purposes of the meeting.
2.3. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the chairman of the board, if any, the president or the board of directors. Any adjourned session of any meeting of the stockholders shall be held at the place designated in the vote of adjournment.
2.4. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, a written notice of each meeting of stockholders stating the place, day and hour thereof and, in the case of a special meeting, the purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) calendar days before the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, and to each stockholder who, by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, is entitled to notice, by leaving such notice with him or at his residence or usual place of business, or by depositing it in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to such stockholder at his address as it appears in the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). Such notice shall be given by the secretary, or by an officer or person designated by the board of directors, or in the case of a special meeting by the officer calling the meeting. As to any adjourned session of any meeting of
stockholders, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment was taken except that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is set for the adjourned session, notice of any such adjourned session of the meeting shall be given in the manner heretofore described. No notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjourned session thereof need be given to a stockholder if a written waiver of notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by such stockholder, given before or after the meeting or such adjourned session by such stockholder, is filed with the records of the meeting or if the stockholder attends such meeting without objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the stockholders or any adjourned session thereof need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
2.5. Quorum of Stockholders. At any meeting of the stockholders a quorum as to any matter shall consist of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except where a larger quorum is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present. If a quorum is present at an original meeting, a quorum need not be present at an adjourned session of that meeting. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of any corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
2.6. Action by Vote. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a plurality of the votes properly cast for election to any office shall elect to such office and a majority of the votes properly cast upon any question other than an election to an office shall decide the question, except when a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these bylaws. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a stockholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election.
2.7. Action without Meetings. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders for or in connection with any corporate action 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, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having 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 Delaware by hand or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Each such written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents signed by a number of stockholders sufficient to take such action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner specified in this paragraph within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent so delivered.
If action is taken by consent of stockholders and in accordance with the foregoing, there shall be filed with the records of the meetings of stockholders the writing or writings comprising such consent.
If action is taken by less than unanimous consent of stockholders, prompt notice of the taking of such action without a meeting shall be given to those who have not consented in writing and a certificate signed and attested to by the secretary that such notice was given shall be filed with the records of the meetings of stockholders.
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In the event that the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, if such action had been voted upon by the stockholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such provision shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such provision concerning a vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given under Section 228 of the DGCL and that written notice has been given as provided in such Section 228.
2.8. Proxy Representation. Every stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy in all matters in which a stockholder is entitled to participate, whether by waiving notice of any meeting, objecting to or voting or participating at a meeting, or expressing consent or dissent without a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by the stockholder or by his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless such 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. The authorization of a proxy may but need not be limited to specified action, provided, however, that if a proxy limits its authorization to a meeting or meetings of stockholders, unless otherwise specifically provided such proxy shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any adjourned session but shall not be valid after the final adjournment thereof.
2.9. Inspectors. The directors or the person presiding at the meeting may, and shall if required by applicable law, appoint one or more inspectors of election and any substitute inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them.
2.10. List of Stockholders. The secretary shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in his name. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are stockholders entitled to examine such list or to vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.
Section 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3.1. Number. The Corporation shall have one or more directors, the number of directors to be determined from time to time by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. No director need be a stockholder.
3.2. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.
3.3. Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors who shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
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3.4. Removal and Replacement; Vacancies. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, vacancies and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled by vote of the holders of the particular class or series of stock entitled to elect such director at a meeting called for the purpose, or by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, in each case elected by the particular class or series of stock entitled to elect such directors. When one or more directors shall resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have resigned, who were elected by the particular class or series of stock entitled to elect such resigning director or directors shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote or action by writing thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective. The directors shall have and may exercise all their powers notwithstanding the existence of one or more vacancies in their number, subject to any requirements of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws as to the number of directors required for a quorum or for any vote or other actions.
3.5. Committees. The board of directors may, by vote of a majority of the whole board of directors, (a) designate, change the membership of or terminate the existence of any committee or committees; (b) designate one or more directors as alternate members of any such committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee; and (c) determine the extent to which each such committee shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which require it and the power and authority to declare dividends or to authorize the issuance of stock; excepting, however, such powers which by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws they are prohibited from so delegating. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee and his alternate, if any, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Except as the board of directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the board of directors or such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as may be in the same manner as is provided by these bylaws for the conduct of business by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors upon request.
3.6. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without call or notice at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the board of directors may from time to time determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any such determination shall be given to absent directors. A regular meeting of the directors may be held without call or notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
3.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be held at any time and at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated in the notice of the meeting, when called by the chairman of the board of directors, if any, the president, or by one-third (1/3) or more in number of the directors, reasonable notice thereof being given to each director by the secretary or by the chairman of the board of directors, if any, the president or any one of the directors calling the meeting.
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3.8. Notice. It shall be reasonable and sufficient notice to a director to send notice by mail at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting addressed to him at his usual or last known business or residence address, by electronic communication at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting addressed to him at his usual e-mail address or to give notice to him in person or by telephone at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director if a written waiver of notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by such director, given by him before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any director who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the purposes of the meeting.
3.9. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, at any meeting of the directors a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum; a quorum shall not in any case be less than one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors constituting the whole board. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
3.10. Action by Vote. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, when a quorum is present at any meeting the vote of a majority of the directors present shall be the act of the board of directors.
3.11. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the board or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the board or of such committee. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as the act of the board or of such committee, as the case may be.
3.12. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by such board, may participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other or by any other means permitted by law. Such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
3.13. Compensation. In the discretion of the board of directors, each director may be paid such fees for his services as director and be reimbursed for his reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his duties as director as the board of directors from time to time may determine. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation therefor.
3.14. Interested Directors and Officers.
(a) No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the Corporation’s directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(1) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum;
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(2) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
(3) The contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.
(b) Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
Section 4. OFFICERS AND AGENTS
4.1. Enumeration; Qualification. The Corporation shall have such officers as the board of directors from time to time may in its discretion elect or appoint including without limitation a chairman of the board, a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. The Corporation may also have such agents, if any, as the board of directors from time to time may in its discretion choose. Any officer may be but none need be a director or stockholder. Any two (2) or more offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the board of directors to secure the faithful performance of his duties to the Corporation by giving bond in such amount and with sureties or otherwise as the board of directors may determine.
4.2. Powers. Subject to law, to the Certificate of Incorporation and to the other provisions of these bylaws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to his office and such additional duties and powers as the board of directors may from time to time designate.
4.3. Election. The officers may be elected by the board of directors at their first meeting following the annual meeting of the stockholders or at any other time. At any time or from time to time the directors may delegate to any officer their power to elect or appoint any other officer or any agents.
4.4. Tenure. Each officer shall hold office until his respective successor is chosen and qualified unless a shorter period shall have been specified by the terms of his election or appointment, or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each agent shall retain his authority at the pleasure of the directors, or the officer by whom he was appointed or by the officer who then holds agent appointive power.
4.5. Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Vice President. The chairman of the board, if any, shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors. Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the chairman of the board, or if there is none the chief executive officer, shall preside, or designate the person who shall preside, at all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors.
Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the president shall be the chief executive officer and shall have direct charge of all business operations of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the directors, shall have general charge and supervision of the business of the Corporation.
Any vice presidents shall have such duties and powers as shall be set forth in these bylaws or as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors or by the president.
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4.6. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. Unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation and shall be in charge of its funds and valuable papers, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or by the president. If no controller is elected, the treasurer shall, unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, also have the duties and powers of the controller.
Any assistant treasurers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the treasurer.
4.7. Controller and Assistant Controllers. If a controller is elected, he shall, unless the board of directors otherwise specifies, be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation and be in charge of its books of account and accounting records, and of its accounting procedures. He shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the treasurer.
Any assistant controller shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president, the treasurer or the controller.
4.8. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall record all proceedings of the stockholders, of the board of directors and of committees of the board of directors in a book or series of books to be kept therefor and shall file therein all actions by written consent of stockholders or directors. In the absence of the secretary from any meeting, an assistant secretary, or if there be none or he is absent, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting, shall record the proceedings thereof. Unless a transfer agent has been appointed the secretary shall keep or cause to be kept the stock and transfer records of the Corporation, which shall contain the names and record addresses of all stockholders and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. He shall have such other duties and powers as may from time to time be designated by the board of directors or the president.
Any assistant secretaries shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the secretary.
Section 5. RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS
5.1. Any director or officer may resign at any time by delivering his resignation in writing to the chairman of the board, if any, the president, or the secretary or to a meeting of the board of directors. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time, and without in either case the necessity of its being accepted unless the resignation shall so state. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, a director (including persons elected by stockholders or directors to fill vacancies in the board) may be removed from office with or without cause by the vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the particular class or series entitled to vote in the election of such directors. The board of directors may at any time remove any officer either with or without cause. The board of directors may at any time terminate or modify the authority of any agent.
Section 6. VACANCIES
6.1. If the office of the president or the secretary becomes vacant, the directors may elect a successor by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. If the office of any other officer becomes vacant, any person or body empowered to elect or appoint that officer may choose a successor. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term, and in the case of the president and the secretary until his successor is chosen and qualified or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Any vacancy of a directorship shall be filled as specified in Section 3.4 of these bylaws.
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Section 7. CAPITAL STOCK
7.1. Stock Certificates. Unless the corporation has provided by resolution of the board of directors that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock will be certificated, any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated. In the event that the board of directors does provide such a resolution, then each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate stating the number and the class and designation of the series, if any, of the shares held by such stockholder, in such form as shall, in conformity with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these bylaws, be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors. Such certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two (2) authorized officers of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case an officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the time of its issue.
7.2. Loss of Certificates. In the case of the alleged theft, loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms, including receipt of a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim on account thereof, as the board of directors may prescribe.
Section 8. TRANSFER OF SHARES OF STOCK
8.1. Transfer on Books. Subject to the restrictions, if any, stated or noted on the stock certificate (if any), shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the Corporation or its duly appointed transfer agent by the registered holder thereof and, in the case of certificated shares, by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment and power of attorney properly executed, with necessary transfer stamps affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the board of directors or the transfer agent of the Corporation may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to receive notice and to vote or to give any consent with respect thereto and to be held liable for such calls and assessments, if any, as may lawfully be made thereon, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been properly transferred on the books of the Corporation.
It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Corporation of his post office address.
8.2. Record Date. 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 (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no such record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of or 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 the adjourned meeting.
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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 (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no such 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 the DGCL, 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 Delaware by hand or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by the DGCL, 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.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose 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 payment, exercise or other action. If no such 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 9. CORPORATE SEAL
9.1. Subject to alteration by the directors, the seal of the Corporation shall consist of a flat-faced circular die with the word “Delaware” and the name of the Corporation cut or engraved thereon, together with such other words, dates or images as may be approved from time to time by the directors.
Section 10. EXECUTION OF PAPERS
10.1. Except as the board of directors may generally or in particular cases authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, checks, drafts or other obligations made, accepted or endorsed by the Corporation shall be signed by any of either the chairman of the board, if any, the president, a vice president, the secretary or the treasurer.
Section 11. FISCAL YEAR
11.1. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the board of directors.
Section 12. INDEMNIFICATION
12.1. Indemnification for Proceedings Other than by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 12 and the Certificate of Incorporation, any person (and the spouses, heirs, executors, administrators and estate of such person) who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (as defined in Section 12.19), other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation, by reason of the fact that such person, or another person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was serving in an Official Capacity (as defined in Section 12.19) for the Corporation, or, while serving in an Official Capacity for the
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Corporation, is or was serving, at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of, the Corporation, in an Official Capacity for another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, association, or other entity or enterprise, whether for profit or not-for profit, including any subsidiaries of the Corporation, and any employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (an “Other Enterprise”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is an alleged action in an Official Capacity or in any other capacity while serving in an Official Capacity, or is an employee of the Corporation specifically designated by the board of directors as an indemnified employee (hereinafter, each of the foregoing persons, a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL (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 any and all Expenses (as defined in Section 12.19) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
12.2. Indemnification for Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 12 and the Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL (as the same exists now or as it may be hereinafter 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), any Covered Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or otherwise becomes involved in, a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation against Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; provided that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person, or another person of whom such person is the legal representative, shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such Expenses which the court shall deem proper.
12.3. Indemnification for Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 12, to the extent that a Covered Person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding described in Section 12.1 or Section 12.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against Expenses (as defined in Section 12.19) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, notwithstanding an earlier determination by the Corporation (including by its directors, stockholders or any Independent Counsel (as defined in Section 12.19)) that the Covered Person is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law. For purposes of these bylaws, the term “successful on the merits or otherwise” shall include, but not be limited to, (i) any termination, withdrawal, or dismissal (with or without prejudice) of any Proceeding against the Covered Person without any express finding of liability or guilt against the Covered Person, (ii) the expiration of one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the making of any claim or threat of a Proceeding without the institution of the same and without any promise or payment made to induce a settlement, and (iii) the settlement of any Proceeding pursuant to which the Covered Person is required to pay less than $100,000.
12.4. Indemnification of Others. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 12, the Corporation shall have the power to indemnify its employees and its agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. Subject to applicable law, the board of directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified to such person or persons as the board of directors determines.
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12.5. Right to Advancement. Expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding. Such advances shall be paid by the Corporation within ten (10) business days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the Covered Person requesting such advance or advances from time to time together with a reasonable accounting of such Expenses; provided, however, that, if the DGCL so requires, the payment of such Expenses incurred by a Covered Person in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or representative in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking in writing, by or on behalf of such Covered Person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 12 or otherwise. The Covered Person’s undertaking to repay the Corporation any amounts advanced for Expenses shall not be required to be secured and shall not bear interest.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL or this Section 12.5, the Corporation shall not impose on the Covered Person additional conditions to the advancement of Expenses or require from the Covered Person additional undertakings regarding repayment. Advancements of Expenses shall be made without regard to the Covered Person’s ability to repay the Expense.
(b) Advancements of Expenses pursuant to this Section 12.5 shall not require approval of the board of directors or the stockholders of the Corporation, or of any other person or body. The secretary shall promptly advise the board of directors in writing of the request for advancement of Expenses.
(c) Advancements of Expenses to a Covered Person shall include any and all reasonable expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Corporation to support the advancements claimed.
(d) The right to advancement of Expenses shall not apply to (i) any Proceeding against a Covered Person brought by the Corporation and approved by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors which alleges willful misappropriation of corporate assets by such agent, wrongful disclosure of confidential information, or any other willful and deliberate breach in bad faith of such agent’s duty to the Corporation or its stockholders, or (ii) any claim for which indemnification is excluded pursuant to these bylaws.
12.6. Limitations on Indemnification. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 12 in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;
(b) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
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(c) for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the Exchange Act, including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) or the rules of any national securities exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(d) for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(e) related to any potential or actual violations of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereof;
(f) initiated by such person against the Corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other Covered Persons, unless (i) the board of directors, by resolution thereof adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors, authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under applicable law, (iii) otherwise made under Section 12.5, or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or
(g) if prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 12, no indemnification shall be provided hereunder to any such person if a final adjudication adverse to the director or officer of the Corporation, and from which there is no further right to appeal, establishes that (i) his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in either case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, (ii) he or she received an Improper Personal Benefit (as defined below), or (iii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, including, but not limited to, any violations of the U.S. federal securities laws, he or she had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. “Improper Personal Benefit” shall mean a person’s receipt of a personal gain in fact by reason of a person’s Official Capacity of a financial profit, monies or other advantage not also accruing to the benefit of the Corporation or to the stockholders generally and which is unrelated to his or her usual compensation by the Corporation for serving as a director or officer, including, but not limited to, (1) in exchange for the exercise of influence over the Corporation’s affairs, (2) as a result of the diversion of a corporate opportunity, or (3) pursuant to the use or communication of confidential or inside information relating to the Corporation or its business or affairs for the purpose of generating a profit from trading in the Corporation’s securities or providing a benefit to a third party, including, without the express consent of the board of directors, assisting a third party who is seeking to change the composition of the board of directors, management of the Corporation or the policies or strategic direction of the Corporation.
12.7. Procedure for Indemnification; Determination.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Section 12, a Covered Person shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Covered Person and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification.
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(b) Upon written request by a Covered Person for indemnification, a determination (the “Determination”), if required by applicable law, with respect to the Covered Person’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as defined in Section 12.19), (ii) if such a quorum of Disinterested Directors cannot be obtained, by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board of directors (all directors, whether or not Disinterested Directors, may participate in such designation) consisting solely of two or more Disinterested Directors, (iii) if such a committee cannot be designated, by any Independent Counsel (as defined in Section 12.19) selected by the board of directors, as prescribed in clause (i) above or by the committee of the board of directors prescribed in clause (ii) above, in a written opinion to the board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Covered Person; or if a quorum of the board of directors cannot be obtained for clause (i) above and the committee cannot be designated under clause (ii) above, selected by a majority vote of the board of directors (in which directors who are parties may participate); or (iv) if such Independent Counsel determination cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a quorum of stockholders consisting of stockholders who are not parties to such Proceeding, or if no such quorum is obtainable, by a majority vote of stockholders who are not parties to the Proceeding.
(c) If, in regard to any Expenses (i) the Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 12.3, (ii) no determination with respect to the Covered Person’s entitlement is legally required as a condition to indemnification of the Covered Person hereunder, or (iii) the Covered Person has been determined pursuant to Section 12.7(b) to be entitled to indemnification hereunder, then payments of the Expenses shall be made as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the later of (A) the date on which written demand is presented to the Corporation pursuant to Section 12.7(a) or (B) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 12.7(c) is satisfied.
(d) If (i) the Corporation (including by its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) determines that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, (y) any amount of Expenses is not paid in full by the Corporation according to Section 12.7(c) after the Determination is made pursuant to Section 12.7(b) that the indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified, or (z) any amount of any requested advancement of Expenses is not paid in full by the Corporation according to Section 12.5 above after a request and an undertaking pursuant to Section 12.5 above have been received by the Corporation, in each case, the Covered Person shall have the right to commence litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction, either challenging any such Determination, which shall not be binding, or any aspect thereof (including the legal or factual bases therefor), seeking to recover the unpaid amount of Expenses and otherwise to enforce the Corporation’s obligations under these bylaws and, if successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid also any and all Expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting such claim. In any such suit, the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, to establish by clear and convincing evidence, that the Covered Person is not entitled to either (i) the requested indemnification or, (ii) except where the required undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the Corporation, the requested advancement of Expenses. If the Covered Person commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that the Covered Person should be indemnified under applicable law, any such judicial proceeding shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits, the Covered Person shall continue to be entitled to receive Expense advancements, and the Covered Person shall not be required to reimburse the Corporation for any Expenses advanced, unless and until a final judicial determination is made (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that the Covered Person is not entitled to be so indemnified under applicable law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth under the DGCL or other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Covered Person has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
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(e) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if a Determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.7(b) above that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 12.7(d) above.
(g) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 12.7(d) above that the procedures and presumptions of these bylaws are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of these bylaws.
12.8. Procedures for the Determination of whether Standards Have Been Satisfied.
(a) All costs incurred by the Corporation in making the Determination shall be borne solely by the Corporation, including, but not limited to, the costs of legal counsel, proxy solicitations and judicial determinations. The Corporation shall also be solely responsible for paying all costs incurred by it in defending any suits or Proceedings challenging payments by the Corporation to a Covered Person under these bylaws.
(b) The Corporation shall use its best efforts to make the Determination contemplated by Section 12.7(b) hereof as promptly as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
12.9. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the advancement of Expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Section 12 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any Covered Person seeking indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be entitled to under any law (common law or statutory law), provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaw, agreement, insurance policy, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s Official Capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office or while employed by or acting as agent for the Corporation, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the spouses, heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into an agreement with any of its directors, officers, employees or agents providing for indemnification and advancement of Expenses that may change, enhance, qualify or limit any right to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses provided by this Section 12, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
12.10. Continuation of Rights. The rights of indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided in this Section 12 shall continue as to any person who has ceased to serve in an Official Capacity and shall inure to the benefit of his or her spouses, heirs, executors, administrators and estates.
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12.11. Contract Rights. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract with any Covered Person, the obligations of the Corporation to indemnify a Covered Person under this Section 12, including the duty to advance Expenses, shall be considered a contract right between the Corporation and such individual and shall be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the Covered Person. Such contract right shall be deemed to vest at the commencement of such Covered Person’s service to or at the request of the Corporation, and no amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 12 shall affect, to the detriment of the Covered Person and such Covered Person’s heirs, executors, administrators and estate, such obligations of the Corporation in connection with a claim based on any act or failure to act occurring before such modification or repeal.
12.12. Subrogation. In the event of payment of indemnification to a Covered Person, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to any right of recovery such person may have and such person, as a condition of receiving indemnification from the Corporation, shall execute all documents and do all things that the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable to perfect such right of recovery, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to enforce any such recovery.
12.13. No Duplication of Payments. The Corporation shall not be liable under this Section 12 to make any payment in connection with any claim made against a Covered Person to the extent such person has otherwise received payment (under any insurance policy, bylaw, agreement or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable as indemnity hereunder.
12.14. Insurance and Funding.
(a) The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person against any liability or expense asserted against or incurred by such person in connection with any Proceeding, to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under this Section 12 or the DGCL or otherwise; provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms, which determination shall be made by resolution of the board of directors adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors. The Corporation may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to insure the payment of such sums as may become necessary to effect the indemnification provided herein.
(b) Any full or partial payment by an insurance company under any insurance policy covering any Covered Person indemnified above made to or on behalf of a Covered Person under this Section 12 shall relieve the Corporation of its liability for indemnification provided for under this Section or otherwise to the extent of such payment.
(c) In the absence of fraud, (i) the decision of the board of directors as to the propriety of the terms and conditions of any insurance or other financial arrangement made pursuant to this Section 12.14 and the choice of the person to provide the insurance or other financial arrangement is conclusive, and (ii) the insurance or other financial arrangement does not subject any director approving it to personal liability for his or her action in approving the insurance or other financial arrangement; even if a director approving the insurance or other financial arrangement is a beneficiary of the insurance or other financial arrangement.
12.15. Severability. If this Section 12 or any word, clause, provision or other portion hereof or any award made hereunder shall for any reason be determined to be invalid on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, the provisions hereof shall not otherwise be affected thereby but shall remain in full force and effect, and the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person indemnified pursuant to this Section 12 as to all Expenses with respect to any Proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 12 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
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12.16. No Imputation. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any officer, director, employee or representative of the Corporation, an Other Enterprise or any other person shall not be imputed to a Covered Person for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Section 12.
12.17. Reliance. Persons who after the date of the adoption of this Section 12 or any amendment thereto serve or continue to serve the Corporation in an Official Capacity or who, while serving in an Official Capacity, serve or continue to serve in an Official Capacity for an Other Enterprise, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses contained in this Section 12.
12.18. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Section 12 shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by U.S. mail, overnight courier or by e-mail or other electronic transmission, to the secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the secretary.
12.19. Certain Definitions.
(a) The term “Corporation” shall include, in addition to Denny’s Corporation and, in the event of a consolidation or merger involving the Corporation, 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, 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 an Other Enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 12 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(b) The term “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Covered Person.
(c) The term “Expenses” shall be mean all direct and indirect losses, liabilities, damages, expenses, including fees and expenses of attorneys, fees and expenses of accountants, court costs, transcript costs, fees and expenses of experts, witness fees and expenses, travel expenses, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, delivery service fees, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any bond (including cost bonds, appraisal bonds, or their equivalents), judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other), ERISA excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan, and amounts paid or payable in connection with any judgment, award or settlement, including any interest, assessments, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any indemnification or expense advancement payments, and all other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with (i) the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, mediation, arbitration, appeal or settlement of a Proceeding, (ii) serving as an actual or prospective witness, or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or other participation in, or other preparation for, any Proceeding, or otherwise being asked to participate in or respond to any discovery related to a Proceeding, (iii) any compulsory interviews or depositions related to a Proceeding, (iv) any non- compulsory interviews or depositions related to a Proceeding, subject to the person receiving advance written approval by the Corporation to participate in such interviews or depositions, and (v) responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses shall also include any federal, state, local and foreign taxes imposed on such person as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Section 12.
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(d) The term “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither currently is, nor in the five (5) years previous to its selection has been, retained to represent (i) the Corporation or the Covered Person in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Covered Person under this Section 12) or other indemnitees concerning similar indemnification arrangements or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 the Covered Person in an action to determine the Covered Person’s rights under this Section 12.
(e) The term “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation,” when used in the context of a Covered Person’s service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation, describes the actions of a person who acts in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan.
(f) The term “Official Capacity” shall mean (i) service as a director or officer of the Corporation or (ii) while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, service, at the request of the Corporation, as an officer, director, manager, member, partner, tax matters partner, employee, agent, fiduciary, trustee or other representative of the Corporation or an Other Enterprise.
(g) The term “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, investigation (including any internal investigation), inquiry, hearing, mediation, arbitration, other alternative dispute mechanism or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory, arbitrative, legislative, investigative or otherwise and whether formal or informal, or any appeal of any kind therefrom, including an action initiated by a Covered Person to enforce a Covered Person’s rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these bylaws, and whether instituted by or in the right of the Corporation, a governmental agency, the board of directors, any authorized committee thereof, a class of its security holders or any other party, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law, or any inquiry, hearing or investigation (including any internal investigation), whether formal or informal, whether instituted by or in the right of the Corporation, a governmental agency, the board of directors, any committee thereof, a class of its security holders, or any other party that the Covered Person believes might lead to the institution of any such proceeding
(h) The term “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service by an officer or director of the Corporation to the Corporation or an Other Enterprise, including any service as an officer, director, manager, member, partner, tax matters partner, employee, agent, fiduciary, trustee or other representative of the Corporation or an Other Enterprise, including service relating to an employee benefit plan and its participants or beneficiaries, at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of, the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation. For the purposes of these bylaws, a director’s or officer’s service to the Corporation or an Other Enterprise shall be presumed to be “serving at the request of the Corporation,” unless it is conclusively determined to the contrary by a majority vote of the directors of the Corporation, excluding, if applicable, such director. With respect to such determination, it shall not be necessary for the Covered Person to show any actual or prior request by the Corporation or its board of directors for such service to the Corporation or such Other Enterprise.
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12.20. Intent of Section. The intent of this Section 12 is to provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable laws of the State of Delaware. To the extent that such applicable laws may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this Section 12 shall be amended automatically and construed so as to permit indemnification to the fullest extent from time to time permitted by applicable law. Neither an amendment nor repeal of this Section 12, nor the adoption of any provision of these bylaws inconsistent with this Section 12, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 12 in respect of any matter occurring, or action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Section 12, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment repeal or adoption of any inconsistent provision.
Section 13. AMENDMENTS
13.1. These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by vote of a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Any bylaw, whether adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders or directors, may be amended or reinstated by the stockholders or the directors.
Effective: January 16, 2026
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