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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-256963

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTSubject to Completion, dated June 10, 2021

(To Prospectus dated June 10, 2021)

$300,000,000

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

We are offering $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our % convertible senior notes due 2026. In addition, we have granted the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $45,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover over-allotments.

MATURITY; INTEREST

We will pay interest on the notes at an annual rate of %, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021. The notes will mature on June 15, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased by us.

CONVERSION

Noteholders may convert their notes at their option only in the following circumstances: (1) during any fiscal quarter commencing after the fiscal quarter ending on September 28, 2021, if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter; (2) during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day; (3) upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions on our common stock, as described in this prospectus supplement; (4) if we call such notes for redemption; and (5) at any time from, and including, February 17, 2026 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. We will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock, based on the applicable conversion rate(s). The initial conversion rate is shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share, and is subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus supplement. If a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate for a specified period of time.

REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE

The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described in this prospectus supplement), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after June 20, 2024 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price on (1) each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (2) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption.

If a “fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then, except as described in this prospectus supplement, noteholders may require us to repurchase their notes at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

RANKING

The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be equal in right of payment with our future senior, unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes and effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries.

CONCURRENT OFFERING

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, pursuant to a separate prospectus supplement $175,000,000 of our common stock, plus up to an additional $26,250,000 of our common stock that the underwriters of the concurrent offering have the option to purchase from us. The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering.

LISTING; COMMON STOCK

No public market currently exists for the notes, and we do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CAKE.” On June 9, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $61.61 per share.

OFFERING PRICE: % of principal amount plus accrued interest, if any, from, and including, , 2021.

Per note

Total

Public offering price(1)

Underwriting discounts and commissions(2)

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

(1)

Plus accrued interest, if any, from , 2021.

(2)

See “Underwriting” on page S-67 for additional disclosure regarding underwriter compensation and estimated offering expenses.

An investment in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or foreign securities commission or regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the notes or the shares of our common stock, if any, issuable upon the conversion of the notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about , 2021.

Joint Book-Running Managers

J.P. MorganBNP PARIBAS BofA SecuritiesWells Fargo Securities

Prospectus Supplement dated , 2021.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Prospectus Supplement
	About This Prospectus Supplement					S-ii
	Prospectus Supplement Summary					S-1
	Risk Factors					S-8
	Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements					S-16
	Use of Proceeds					S-18
	Capitalization					S-19
	Dividend Policy					S-22
	Description of Notes					S-23
	Description of Other Indebtedness					S-57
	Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations					S-58
	The Concurrent Offering					S-66
	Underwriting					S-67
	Where You Can Find Additional Information					S-73
	Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference					S-73
	Legal Matters					S-74
	Experts					S-74

	Prospectus
	ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS					1
	WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE					2
	THE COMPANY					5
	RISK FACTORS					6
	USE OF PROCEEDS					7
	DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK					8
	DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES					10
	GLOBAL SECURITIES					17
	PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION					21
	LEGAL MATTERS					22
	EXPERTS					22

In deciding whether to purchase the notes, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related pricing term sheet. Neither we nor any of the underwriters has authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it.

You should not assume that the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of the documents in which the information is contained. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could have changed since those dates.

You should not consider any information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountant and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding any purchase of the notes. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation regarding the legality of an investment in the notes by any person under applicable investment or similar laws.

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When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus supplement, we mean The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the notes.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which describes more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference and the additional information described in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Any statement made in this prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. The information we have included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since any such dates.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights important information about this offering and information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, as well as the additional materials described under the captions “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and on page 6 of the accompanying prospectus, and “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2020.

We utilize a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31 for financial reporting purposes. Fiscal 2021 consists of 52 weeks and will end on December 28, 2021. Fiscal 2020, which ended on December 29, 2020, was also a 52-week year.

The Company

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is a leader in experiential dining. We are culinary forward and relentlessly focused on hospitality. We currently own and operate 300 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada under brands including The Cheesecake Factory®, North Italia® and a collection within our Fox Restaurant Concepts business. Internationally, 28 The Cheesecake Factory® restaurants operate under licensing agreements. Our bakery division operates two facilities that produce quality cheesecakes and other baked products for our restaurants, international licensees and third-party bakery customers.

Our business originated in 1972 when Oscar and Evelyn Overton founded a small bakery in the Los Angeles area. In 1978, their son, David Overton, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, led the creation and opening of the first The Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. In 1992, the Company was incorporated in Delaware as The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated to consolidate the restaurant and bakery businesses of its predecessors operating under The Cheesecake Factory® mark. Our executive offices are located at 26901 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas Hills, California 91301, and our telephone number is (818) 871-3000.

Recent Developments

Concurrent Offering of Common Stock

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, pursuant to a separate prospectus supplement, $175,000,000 of our common stock, plus up to an additional $26,250,000 of our common stock that the underwriters of the concurrent offering have the option to purchase from us. The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering. Accordingly, you should not assume that the concurrent offering will be consummated on the terms described in this prospectus supplement, if at all. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities being offered in the concurrent offering. The prospectus supplement for the concurrent offering does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the notes, or the shares of common stock, if any, issuable upon conversion of the notes, that we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement. See “The Concurrent Offering.”

Preferred Stock Repurchase and Conversion

We have entered into agreements with the holders of our outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock pursuant to which we will repurchase 150,000 shares of our outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock for approximately $447.0 million in cash, and the holder of our remaining outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock will convert the remaining 50,000 shares of our outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock into 2,400,864 shares of our common stock and will receive approximately $10.4 million in cash in connection with such conversion. We refer to these transactions as the “preferred stock repurchase and conversion.” The net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent offering will be used to fund the cash

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consideration payable in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion to simplify our capital structure. The completion of the preferred stock repurchase and conversion will be subject to customary closing conditions and will be contingent on the completion of this offering and the concurrent offering. The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering. Accordingly, although the proceeds from this offering will be used to fund the cash consideration payable in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion, you should not assume that the preferred stock repurchase and conversion will be consummated on the terms described in this prospectus supplement.

Business Update

Fiscal 2021 second quarter-to-date through May 31st comparable sales for The Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased approximately 196% year-over-year and 7% relative to the same period in fiscal 2019, supported by approximately one-third off-premise sales mix. Average weekly sales quarter-to-date were approximately $226,500.

As of June 2, 2021, nearly all of our restaurants across our concepts, including 206 Cheesecake Factory locations, were operating with reopened indoor dining rooms with limited capacity in accordance with local mandates and social distancing protocols. On average, Cheesecake Factory restaurants with reopened dining rooms were operating at approximately 70% indoor capacity and approximately 75% total on-premise capacity including patios. One Cheesecake Factory location was operating an off-premise only model.

The foregoing quarter-to-date results have been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, our management based on currently available information and have not been compiled or reviewed by our independent auditors. KPMG LLP has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to these quarter-to-date results. Accordingly, KPMG LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

The final results for our second quarter of fiscal 2021 may differ materially from the preliminary quarter-to-date results above, and such final results, together with results for the remainder of our second quarter of fiscal 2021, will be included in our second quarter reporting. Our second quarter results, and the final results included therein, may differ materially from the preliminary results due to, among other things, the finalization of our quarterly financial and accounting procedures, and may include material adjustments not applied in the preliminary results. Consequently, you should not place undue reliance upon the preliminary results. In addition, our quarter-to-date results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full second quarter of fiscal 2021 or full fiscal 2021. The quarter-to-date results reflect management’s indication of our current operational trends and should not be considered a substitute for the financial statements for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 to be prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) once they become available.

Supplemental Financial Information

Non-GAAP Measures

The table below includes certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with GAAP, including Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. We are presenting these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they provide our management and investors with additional insight into the operational efficiency and performance of the Company relative to earlier periods and relative to the Company’s competitors. Investors should use these Non-GAAP financial measures only in conjunction with comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our inclusion of these adjusted measures should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items. In the future, we may incur expenses or generate income similar to the adjusted items.

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THE OFFERING

The summary below describes the principal terms of the notes. Certain of the terms of the notes described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in more detail under the caption “Description of Notes.” As used in this section, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and not to its subsidiaries.

Issuer

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated.

Notes

$300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of % convertible senior notes due 2026. We have granted the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $45,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover over-allotments.

Ranking

The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be:

•

equal in right of payment with our future senior, unsecured indebtedness;

•

senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes;

•

effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and

•

structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries.

As of March 30, 2021, excluding our subsidiaries and intercompany indebtedness, we had $280.0 million in principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money, all of which was senior secured indebtedness, and our subsidiaries had no indebtedness for borrowed money other than guarantees of indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. In addition, as of March 30, 2021, we had $96.6 million available to be drawn under our revolving credit facility, all of which, if drawn, would be secured.

Maturity

June 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

Interest

% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021. In addition, special interest will accrue on the notes in the circumstances described under the caption “Description of Notes — Events of Default — Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults.”

Conversion Rights

Noteholders may convert their notes at their option only in the following circumstances:

•

during any fiscal quarter commencing after the fiscal quarter ending on September 28, 2021, if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter;

•

during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading

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day period, the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day;

•

upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions on our common stock, as described in this prospectus supplement;

•

if we call such notes for redemption; and

•

at any time from, and including, February 17, 2026 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.

We will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, based on the applicable conversion rate(s). The consideration due upon conversion will be based on an observation period consisting of 30 “VWAP trading days” (as defined in this prospectus supplement). The initial conversion rate is shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share, and is subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus supplement.

If a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate for a specified period of time.

See “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights.”

Redemption

The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described below), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after June 20, 2024 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price on (1) each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (2) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. However, we may not redeem less than all of the outstanding notes unless at least $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time we send the related redemption notice. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption. See “Description of Notes — Optional Redemption.”

Repurchase at the Option of the Noteholders After a Fundamental Change

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repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. See “Description of Notes — Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.”

Trustee, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent

U.S. Bank National Association.

No Public Market

The notes are a new class of securities for which no public market currently exists. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Accordingly, a liquid market for the notes may never develop. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time and without notice.

Nasdaq Global Select Market Symbol

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CAKE.” On June 9, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $61.61 per share.

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the concurrent offering described below, if it is consummated, will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters of the concurrent offering fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent offering to fund the cash consideration of approximately $457.4 million payable in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion to simplify our capital structure. We intend to use any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt under our revolving credit facility. The completion of the preferred stock repurchase and conversion will be subject to customary closing conditions and will be contingent on the completion of this offering and the concurrent offering. The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Concurrent Offering

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supplement, if at all. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities being offered in the concurrent offering. The prospectus supplement for the concurrent offering does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the notes, or the shares of common stock, if any, issuable upon conversion of the notes, we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement. See “The Concurrent Offering.”

Risk Factors

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors.”

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

For a description of material U.S. federal income tax considerations of purchasing, owning, converting and disposing of the notes and owning and disposing of shares of our common stock, if any, issuable upon the conversion of the notes, see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Book-Entry Form

We will initially issue the notes in the form of one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), without interest coupons, which we will deposit with the trustee as custodian for DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, we will not issue certificated notes. See “Description of Notes — Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.”

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the notes involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risks described or referred to below before deciding to purchase the notes. The occurrence of any of these risks may materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. As a result, the trading price of the notes and our common stock may decline, and you might lose part or all of your investment. As used in this section, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and not to its subsidiaries.

The notes will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will rank equal in right of payment with our future senior, unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes and effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. In addition, because none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries. As of March 30, 2021, excluding our subsidiaries and intercompany indebtedness, we had $280.0 million in principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money, all of which was senior secured indebtedness, and our subsidiaries had no indebtedness for borrowed money other than guarantees of indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. In addition, as of March 30, 2021, we had $96.6 million available to be drawn under our revolving credit facility, all of which, if drawn, would be secured. The indenture governing the notes will not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness, including senior or secured indebtedness, in the future.

If a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding occurs with respect to us, then the holders of any of our secured indebtedness may proceed directly against the assets securing that indebtedness. Accordingly, those assets will not be available to satisfy any outstanding amounts under our unsecured indebtedness, including the notes, unless the secured indebtedness is first paid in full. The remaining assets, if any, would then be allocated pro rata among the holders of our senior, unsecured indebtedness, including the notes. There may be insufficient assets to pay all amounts then due.

If a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding occurs with respect to any of our subsidiaries, then we, as a direct or indirect common equity owner of that subsidiary (and, accordingly, holders of our indebtedness, including the notes), will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors and preferred equity holders. We may never receive any amounts from that subsidiary to satisfy amounts due under the notes.

Our indebtedness and liabilities could limit the cash flow available for our operations, expose us to risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes.

As of March 30, 2021, we had $280.0 million in principal amount of consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money. We will incur $300.0 million (or, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes, $345.0 million) principal amount of additional indebtedness as a result of this offering. We may also incur additional indebtedness to meet future financing needs. Our indebtedness could have significant negative consequences for our security holders and our business, results of operations and financial condition by, among other things:

•

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

•

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;

•

requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, which will reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes;

•

limiting our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business;

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•

diluting the interests of our existing stockholders as a result of issuing shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes; and

•

placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with competitors that are less leveraged than us or have better access to capital.

Our business may not generate sufficient funds, and we may otherwise be unable to maintain sufficient cash reserves, to pay amounts due under our indebtedness, including the notes, and our cash needs may increase in the future. In addition, our revolving credit facility contains, and any future indebtedness that we may incur may contain, financial and other restrictive covenants that limit our ability to operate our business, raise capital or make payments under our other indebtedness. If we fail to comply with these covenants or to make payments under our indebtedness when due, then we would be in default under that indebtedness, which could, in turn, result in that and our other indebtedness becoming immediately payable in full. For a description of our outstanding indebtedness, see “Description of Other Indebtedness.”

We may be unable to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the notes for cash following a fundamental change, or to pay the cash amounts due upon conversion, and our other indebtedness limits our ability to repurchase the notes or pay cash upon their conversion.

Noteholders may, subject to a limited exception described in this prospectus supplement, require us to repurchase their notes following a fundamental change at a cash repurchase price generally equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. See “Description of Notes — Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” In addition, all conversions of notes will be settled partially or entirely in cash. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repurchase the notes or pay the cash amounts due upon conversion. In addition, applicable law, regulatory authorities and the agreements governing our current senior secured credit facility or any future indebtedness may restrict our ability to repurchase the notes or pay the cash amounts due upon conversion. For example, our revolving credit facility restricts us from paying cash upon conversion of the notes in an amount that exceeds the principal amount being converted. Furthermore, our revolving credit facility places several restrictions on our ability to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change. During the covenant relief period, which extends through the first date after December 28, 2021 on which we have delivered certain documentation relating to our compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the revolving credit facility, we are prohibited from repurchasing the notes upon a fundamental change. Following the termination of the covenant relief period, we will be permitted under the revolving credit facility to repurchase notes upon a fundamental change only if (i) no default or event of default exists and (ii) our pro forma net adjusted leverage ratio (as measured in accordance with the revolving credit facility) does not exceed 4.75 to 1.00 and our earnings before interest, depreciation, amortization and rental expense to interest and rental expense ratio (as measured in accordance with the revolving credit facility) is at least 1.90 to 1.00.

Our failure to repurchase notes or to pay the cash amounts due upon conversion when required will constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under our current senior secured credit facility and agreements governing our other or future indebtedness, and may result in such indebtedness becoming immediately payable in full. We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy all amounts due under such indebtedness and the notes.

Not all events that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes and our common stock will result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.

We will adjust the conversion rate of the notes for certain events, including:

•

certain stock dividends, splits and combinations;

•

the issuance of certain rights, options or warrants to holders of our common stock;

•

certain distributions of assets, debt securities, capital stock or other property to holders of our common stock;

•

cash dividends on our common stock; and

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•

certain tender or exchange offers.

See “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Conversion Rate Adjustments.” We are not required to adjust the conversion rate for other events, such as third-party tender offers or an issuance of common stock (or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, common stock) for cash, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes and our common stock. An event may occur that adversely affects the noteholders and the trading price of the notes and the underlying shares of our common stock but that does not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.

Not all significant restructuring transactions will constitute a fundamental change, in which case you will not have the right to require us to repurchase your notes for cash.

If certain corporate events called “fundamental changes” occur, you will have the right to require us to repurchase your notes for cash. See “Description of Notes — Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” However, the definition of “fundamental change” is limited to specific corporate events and does not include all events that may adversely affect our financial condition or the trading price of the notes. For example, a leveraged recapitalization, refinancing, restructuring or acquisition by us may not constitute a fundamental change that would require us to repurchase the notes. Nonetheless, these events could significantly increase the amount of our indebtedness, harm our credit rating or adversely affect our capital structure and the trading price of the notes.

The increase to the conversion rate resulting from a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate noteholders for the lost option value of their notes. In addition, a variety of transactions that do not constitute a make-whole fundamental change may significantly reduce the option value of the notes without a corresponding increase to the conversion rate.

If certain corporate events that constitute a “make-whole fundamental change” occur, then we will, in certain circumstances, temporarily increase the conversion rate. See “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.” The amount of the increase to the conversion rate will depend on the date on which the make-whole fundamental change becomes effective and the applicable “stock price.” While the increase to the conversion rate is designed to compensate noteholders for the lost option value of their notes resulting from a make-whole fundamental change, the increase is only an approximation and may not adequately compensate noteholders for the loss in option value. In addition, if the applicable “stock price” is greater than $ per share or less than $ per share (in each case, subject to adjustment), then we will not increase the conversion rate for the make-whole fundamental change. Moreover, we will not increase the conversion rate pursuant to these provisions to an amount that exceeds shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment.

Furthermore, the definition of make-whole fundamental change is limited to certain specific transactions. Accordingly, the make-whole fundamental change provisions of the indenture will not protect noteholders from other transactions that could significantly reduce the option value of the notes. For example, a spin-off or sale of a subsidiary or business division with volatile earnings, or a change in our line of business, could significantly affect the trading characteristics of our common stock and reduce the option value of the notes without constituting a make-whole fundamental change that results in a temporary increase to the conversion rate.

In addition, our obligation to increase the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case its enforceability would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.

There is currently no trading market for the notes. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop, then noteholders may be unable to sell their notes at desired times or prices, or at all.

The notes are a new class of securities for which no market currently exists. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Although the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time and without notice. Accordingly, an active market

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for the notes may never develop, and, even if one develops, it may not be maintained. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop or is not maintained, then the market price and liquidity of the notes will be adversely affected and noteholders may not be able to sell their notes at desired times or prices, or at all.

The liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, the trading price and volatility of our common stock, prevailing interest rates, our dividend yield, financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects and credit quality relative to our competitors, the market for similar securities and the overall securities market. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Historically, the market for convertible debt has been volatile. Market volatility could significantly harm the market for the notes, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects or credit quality.

The trading price of our common stock, the condition of the financial markets, prevailing interest rates and other factors could significantly affect the trading price of the notes.

We expect that the trading price of our common stock will significantly affect the trading price of the notes, which could result in greater volatility in the trading price of the notes than would be expected for non-convertible securities. The trading price of our common stock will likely continue to fluctuate in response to the factors described or referred to elsewhere in this section and under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” among others, many of which are beyond our control.

In addition, the condition of the financial markets and changes in prevailing interest rates can have an adverse effect on the trading price of the notes. For example, prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, and we would expect an increase in prevailing interest rates to depress the trading price of the notes.

The issuance or sale of shares of our common stock, or rights to acquire shares of our common stock, could depress the trading price of our common stock and the notes.

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, pursuant to a separate prospectus supplement, $175,000,000 of our common stock, plus up to an additional $26,250,000 of our common stock that the underwriters of the concurrent offering have the option to purchase from us. We may also conduct future offerings of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common stock to finance our operations or fund acquisitions, or for other purposes. In addition, we have reserved approximately 4.4 million shares of common stock for grant under our The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated Stock Incentive Plan as of March 30, 2021. The indenture for the notes will not restrict our ability to issue additional equity securities in the future. If we issue additional shares of our common stock or rights to acquire shares of our common stock, if any of our existing stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock, or if the market perceives that such issuances or sales may occur, then the trading price of our common stock, and, accordingly, the notes may significantly decline. In addition, our issuance of additional shares of common stock will dilute the ownership interests of our existing common stockholders, including noteholders who have received shares of our common stock upon conversion of their notes.

We will make only very limited covenants in the indenture, and these limited covenants may not protect your investment.

Many debt instruments contain provisions that are designed to restrict the borrower’s activities and operations in a manner that is designed to preserve the borrower’s ability to make payments on the related indebtedness when due. These provisions include financial and operating covenants, and restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by the borrower or any of its subsidiaries. The indenture for the notes will not contain any of these covenants or restrictions or otherwise place any meaningful restrictions on our ability to operate our business as management deems appropriate. As a result, your investment in the notes may not be as protected as an investment in an instrument that contains some or all of these types of covenants and restrictions.

Regulatory actions, changes in market conditions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes and the ability of investors to implement a convertible note arbitrage trading strategy.

We expect that many investors in the notes, including potential purchasers of the notes from investors in this offering, will seek to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy. Under this strategy, investors typically short

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sell a certain number of shares of our common stock and adjust their short position over time while they continue to hold the notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps on our common stock in lieu of, or in addition to, short selling shares of our common stock.

The SEC and other regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and taken certain actions, and may in the future adopt additional rules and take other actions, that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including our common stock). These rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., and the national securities exchanges of a “limit up-limit down” program, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts investors’ ability to effect short sales of our common stock or enter into equity swaps on our common stock could depress the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes.

In addition, the liquidity of the market for our common stock and other market conditions could deteriorate, which could reduce, or eliminate entirely, the number of shares available for lending in connection with short sale transactions and the number of counterparties willing to enter into an equity swap on our common stock with a note investor. These and other market events could make implementing a convertible note arbitrage strategy prohibitively expensive or infeasible. If investors in this offering or potential purchasers of the notes that seek to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy are unable to do so on commercial terms, or at all, then the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes may significantly decline.

You may be subject to tax if we adjust, or fail to adjust, the conversion rate of the notes, even though you will not receive a corresponding cash distribution.

We will adjust the conversion rate of the notes for certain events, including the payment of cash dividends. If we adjust the conversion rate as a result of a dividend that is taxable to our common stockholders, such as a cash dividend, then you may be deemed, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to have received a taxable dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits, without the receipt of any cash. In addition, if we do not adjust (or adjust adequately) the conversion rate after an event that increases your proportionate interest in us, then you could be treated as having received a deemed taxable dividend. If a make-whole fundamental change occurs, under some circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with that make-whole fundamental change. Such increase may also be treated as a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a dividend. If you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined in “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”), then any deemed dividend would generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty, which may be withheld from or set off against payments on the notes or our common stock owned by you or from any proceeds of any subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition of such notes (including the conversion or retirement of such notes) or such common stock or other funds or assets of yours. The Internal Revenue Service has issued proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers, which, if adopted, could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a holder of notes deemed to receive such a distribution. See “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Conversion Rate Adjustments” and “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

A rating agency may not rate the notes or may assign a rating that is lower than expected.

We do not intend to seek to have the notes rated by any rating agency. However, if one or more rating agencies rate the notes and assign a rating that is lower than the rating that investors expect, or reduce their rating in the future, then the trading price of our common stock and the notes could significantly decline.

In addition, market perceptions of our creditworthiness will directly affect the trading price of the notes. Accordingly, if a ratings agency rates any of our indebtedness in the future or downgrades or withdraws the rating, or puts us on credit watch, then the trading price of the notes will likely decline.

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Provisions in the indenture could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover of us.

Certain provisions in the notes and the indenture could make a third party attempt to acquire us more difficult or expensive. For example, if a takeover constitutes a fundamental change, then noteholders will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes for cash. In addition, if a takeover constitutes a make-whole fundamental change, then we may be required to temporarily increase the conversion rate. In either case, and in other cases, our obligations under the notes and the indenture could increase the cost of acquiring us or otherwise discourage a third party from acquiring us or removing incumbent management, including in a transaction that noteholders or holders of our common stock may view as favorable.

You may be unable to convert your notes before February 17, 2026, and the trading price of the notes could be less than the value of the consideration into which they could otherwise be converted.

Before February 17, 2026, you may convert your notes only if specific conditions are met. If these conditions are not met, then you will not be able to convert your notes and receive the cash or combination of cash and shares, as applicable, into which the notes would otherwise be convertible. As a result, the notes may trade at prices that are less than the value of the consideration into which they would otherwise be convertible.

Fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock after you elect to convert your notes may cause you to receive less valuable consideration than expected.

The consideration due upon conversion of any note will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock during the related “observation period,” which is defined under the caption “Description of Notes — Definitions” and will consist of 30 “VWAP trading days.” Except in certain circumstances, the observation period will begin after the related conversion date. Accordingly, a considerable amount of time may lapse between the time you elect to convert your notes and the time you receive the consideration due upon conversion, and if the trading price of our common stock declines during this time, then you may receive less consideration, or consideration that is less valuable, than expected.

Your investment in the notes may be harmed if we redeem the notes.

We will have the right to redeem the notes, in whole or in part, in certain circumstances on or after June 20, 2024 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. See “Description of Notes — Optional Redemption.” If we redeem your notes, then you may not be entitled to benefit from potential future appreciation in the trading price of our common stock, and you may be unable to reinvest any proceeds from the redemption in comparable investments at favorable interest rates. In addition, a redemption of less than all of the outstanding notes will likely harm the liquidity of the market for the unredeemed notes following the redemption. Accordingly, if your notes are not redeemed in a partial redemption, then you may be unable to sell your notes at the times you desire or at favorable prices, if at all, and the trading price of your notes may decline.

The accounting method for the notes could adversely affect our reported financial condition and results.

The accounting method for reflecting the notes on our balance sheet, accruing interest expense for the notes and reflecting the underlying shares of our common stock in our reported diluted earnings per share may adversely affect our reported earnings and financial condition.

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board published an Accounting Standards Update, which we refer to as ASU 2020-06, which simplifies certain of the accounting standards that apply to convertible notes. ASU 2020-06 will be effective for SEC-reporting entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (or, in the case of smaller reporting companies, December 15, 2023), including interim periods within those fiscal years. However, early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We elected to early adopt ASU 2020-06 in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

In accordance with ASU 2020-06, we expect that the notes we are offering will be reflected as a liability on our balance sheets, with the initial carrying amount equal to the principal amount of the notes, net of issuance costs. The issuance costs will be treated as a debt discount for accounting purposes, which will be amortized

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into interest expense over the term of the notes. As a result of this amortization, the interest expense that we expect to recognize for the notes for accounting purposes will be greater than the cash interest payments we will pay on the notes, which will result in lower reported income.

In addition, we expect that the shares underlying the notes will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share using the “if converted” method, in accordance with ASU 2020-06. Under that method, if the conversion value of the notes exceeds their principal amount for a reporting period, then we will calculate our diluted earnings per share assuming that all of the notes were converted at the beginning of the reporting period and that we issued shares of our common stock to settle the excess. However, if reflecting the notes in diluted earnings per share in this manner is anti-dilutive, or if the conversion value of the notes does not exceed their principal amount for a reporting period, then the shares underlying the notes will not be reflected in our diluted earnings per share. The application of the if-converted method may reduce our reported diluted earnings per share, and accounting standards may change in the future in a manner that may adversely affect our diluted earnings per share.

Furthermore, if any of the conditions to the convertibility of the notes is satisfied, then we may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the liability carrying value of the notes as a current, rather than a long-term, liability. This reclassification could be required even if no noteholders convert their notes and could materially reduce our reported working capital.

We have not reached a final determination regarding the accounting treatment for the notes, and the description above is preliminary. Accordingly, we may account for the notes in manner that is significantly different than described above.

Because the notes will initially be held in book-entry form, noteholders must rely on DTC’s procedures to exercise their rights and remedies.

We will initially issue the notes in the form of one or more “global notes” registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, we will not issue certificated notes. See “Description of Notes — Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in a global note, then you will not be considered an owner or holder of the notes. Instead, DTC or its nominee will be the sole holder of the notes. Payments of principal, interest and other amounts on global notes will be made to the paying agent, who will remit the payments to DTC. We expect that DTC will then credit those payments to the DTC participant accounts that hold book-entry interests in the global notes and that those participants will credit the payments to indirect DTC participants. Unlike persons who have certificated notes registered in their names, owners of beneficial interests in global notes will not have the direct right to act on our solicitations for consents or requests for waivers or other actions from noteholders. Instead, those beneficial owners will be permitted to act only to the extent that they have received appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, a DTC participant. The applicable procedures for the granting of these proxies may not be sufficient to enable owners of beneficial interests in global notes to vote on any requested actions on a timely basis.

Holding notes will not, in itself, confer any rights with respect to our common stock.

Noteholders will generally not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock (including voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our common stock). However, noteholders will be subject to all changes affecting our common stock to the extent the trading price of the notes depends on the market price of our common stock and to the extent they receive shares of our common stock upon conversion of their notes. For example, if we propose an amendment to our charter documents that requires stockholder approval, then a noteholder will not, as such, be entitled to vote on the amendment, although the noteholder will be subject to any changes implemented by that amendment in the powers, preferences or special rights of our common stock.

We may not consummate the concurrent offering, and this offering is not conditioned on the concurrent offering.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent offering to fund the cash consideration payable in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion to simplify our capital structure. However, the

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain forward-looking statements about our current and presently expected performance trends, growth plans, business goals and other matters. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as codified in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the Securities Act, the “Acts”). This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the concurrent offering and the preferred stock repurchase and conversion, the intended use of proceeds from this offering, corporate social responsibility and in our corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial condition and our results of operation, including our expectation with respect to our ability to reopen and keep open our restaurants, financial guidance and projections and statements with respect to the acquisition of North Italia and Fox Restaurant Concepts LLC (“FRC”) and expectations regarding accelerated and diversified revenue growth as a result of the acquisition of North Italia and FRC, as well as expectations of our future financial condition, results of operations, sales, cash flows, plans, targets, goals, objectives, performance, growth potential, competitive position and business; and our ability to: leverage our competitive strengths, including investing in or acquiring new restaurant concepts and expanding The Cheesecake Factory® brand to other retail opportunities; deliver comparable sales growth; provide a differentiated experience to customers; outperform the casual dining industry and increase our market share; leverage sales increases and manage flow through; manage cost pressures, including increasing wage rates, insurance costs and legal expenses, and stabilize margins; grow earnings; remain relevant to consumers; attract and retain qualified management and other staff; manage risks associated with the magnitude and complexity of regulations in the jurisdictions where our restaurants are located; increase shareholder value; find suitable sites and manage increasing construction costs; profitably expand our concepts domestically and in Canada, and work with our licensees to expand our concept internationally; support the growth of North Italia and the FRC brands; and utilize our capital effectively. These forward-looking statements may be affected by various factors including: the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, including the potential for a complete shutdown of our restaurants, international licensee restaurants and our bakery operations; demonstrations, political unrest, potential damage to or closure of our restaurants and potential reputational damage to us or any of our brands; economic, public health and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other health epidemics or pandemics on the global economy; acceptance and success of The Cheesecake Factory in international markets; acceptance and success of North Italia, the FRC brands and our other concepts; the risks of doing business abroad through Company-owned restaurants and/or licensees; foreign exchange rates, tariffs and cross border taxation; changes in unemployment rates; changes in laws impacting our business, including laws and regulations related to COVID-19 impacting restaurant operations and customer access to off- and on-premises dining; increases in minimum wages and benefit costs; the economic health of our landlords and other tenants in retail centers in which our restaurants are located, and our ability to successfully manage our lease arrangements with landlords; unanticipated costs that may arise in connection with a return to normal course of business, including potential negative impacts from furlough actions; the economic health of suppliers, licensees, vendors and other third parties providing goods or services to us; the timing of the resumption of our new unit development; compliance with debt covenants; strategic capital allocation decisions including any share repurchases or dividends; the ability to achieve projected financial results; economic and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending; the resolutions of uncertain tax positions with the Internal Revenue Service and the impact of tax reform legislation; adverse weather conditions in regions in which our restaurants are located; factors that are under the control of government agencies, landlords and other third parties; the risk, costs and uncertainties associated with opening new restaurants; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements include all other statements that are not historical facts, as well as statements that are preceded by, followed by or that include words or phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should” and similar expressions. These statements are based on our current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in such statements.

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In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Acts, we have identified and disclosed important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf. (See Part II, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2020.) Potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any forward-looking statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a forward-looking statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the SEC. Because of these factors, risks and uncertainties, we caution against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements are currently reasonable, any of the assumptions could be incorrect or incomplete, and there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so by law. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent offering to fund the cash consideration of approximately $457.4 million payable in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion to simplify our capital structure. We intend to use any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt under our revolving credit facility. The completion of the preferred stock repurchase and conversion will be subject to customary closing conditions and will be contingent on the completion of this offering and the concurrent offering. The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table presents our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 30, 2021:

•

on an actual basis;

•

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the notes we are offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses;

•

on an as further adjusted basis to give further effect to the issuance and sale of our common stock in the concurrent offering (assuming no exercise of the option of the underwriters of the concurrent offering to purchase additional shares of our common stock), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses, assuming the concurrent offering is consummated; and

•

on a pro forma as further adjusted basis to give further effect to the repurchase and conversion of our outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock for approximately $457.4 million in cash and approximately 2.4 million shares of our common stock pursuant to the preferred stock repurchase and conversion, assuming they are consummated on the terms described in this prospectus supplement.

The information in the table below is illustrative only, and our capitalization following the completion of this offering, the concurrent offering (if it is completed) and the preferred stock repurchase and conversion (if the preferred stock repurchase and conversion are completed on the terms described in this prospectus supplement) will depend on the final terms of these transactions. Moreover, because the completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, you should not assume that the concurrent offering, as reflected in the as further adjusted column in the table below, will take place. In addition, because the preferred stock repurchase and conversion are subject to customary closing conditions, you should not assume that the preferred stock repurchase and conversion, as reflected in the pro forma as further adjusted column in the table below, will take place on the terms described in this prospectus supplement.

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This table should be read in conjunction with the other information included or incorporated by reference this prospectus supplement, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes.

	As of March 30, 2021
	Actual			As adjusted			As further adjusted			Pro forma as further adjusted
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	181,345		$			$			$
Debt:
Revolving credit facility(1)(2)		$	280,000		$	280,000		$	280,000		$	280,000
Principal amount of % convertible senior notes due 2026 we are offering(3)			—			300,000			300,000			300,000
Total debt			280,000			580,000			580,000			580,000
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 200,000 shares authorized, 200,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual, as adjusted and as further adjusted; no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as further adjusted			213,485			213,485			213,485			—
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, other than Series A convertible preferred stock; 4,800,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, actual, as adjusted, as further adjusted and pro forma as further adjusted			—			—			—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 99,508,470 shares outstanding, actual and as adjusted; shares outstanding, as further adjusted; shares outstanding, pro forma as further adjusted(4)			995			995
Additional paid-in capital(3)			904,045			904,045
Retained earnings(5)			1,114,047			1,114,047			1,114,047			1,114,047
Treasury stock, 53,101,293 shares at cost, actual, as adjusted, as further adjusted and pro forma as further adjusted			(1,700,700)			(1,700,700)			(1,700,700)			(1,700,700)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,873)			(1,873)			(1,873)			(1,873)
Total stockholders’ equity(3)(5)			316,514			316,514
Total capitalization(3)(5)		$	809,999		$	1,109,999		$			$

(1)

Reflects principal amount outstanding, without deduction for debt discounts or issuance costs.

(2)

As of March 30, 2021, we had $23.4 million in standby letters of credit under this facility that are not reflected in the table above. In addition, as of March 30, 2021, we had $96.6 million available to be drawn under our revolving credit facility.

(3)

The amounts shown in the table above for the notes we are offering represent their principal amount. However, we expect that the initial liability carrying amount of the notes for accounting purposes will be recorded net of issuance costs, which will be treated as a debt discount for accounting purposes and amortized into interest expense over the term of the notes. See “Risk Factors — The accounting method for the notes could adversely affect our reported financial condition and results.”

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Although our Board has historically declared a quarterly cash dividend which we have paid, we may not pay quarterly dividends in the same amounts or at all in the future. The declaration, amount and timing of cash dividends are subject to capital availability and determinations by our Board that such dividends are in the best interest of our stockholders and are in compliance with all respective laws and applicable agreements. Future decisions to pay or to increase or decrease dividends are at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent on our operating performance, financial condition, capital expenditure requirements, limitations on cash distributions pursuant to the terms and conditions of our revolving credit facility and applicable law, and other such factors that the Board considers relevant.

To preserve liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, and as required in conjunction with the terms of our revolving credit facility, in March 2020, our Board suspended the quarterly dividend on our common stock. Our revolving credit facility prohibits the payment of cash dividends on our common stock until the end of the Covenant Relief Period (as defined under “Description of Indebtedness — Revolving Credit Facility”). Prior to this suspension of dividends, our Board declared cash dividends of $0.36 per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Cash dividends of $1.38 per common share were declared during fiscal 2019.

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

We will issue the notes under an indenture (the “base indenture”), to be dated as of the initial closing date of this offering, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture (the base indenture, as so supplemented, the “indenture”), to be dated as of the initial closing date of this offering, between us and the trustee.

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the notes and the indenture. It is only a summary and is not complete. We qualify this summary by referring you to the indenture and the notes, because they, and not this summary, define your rights as a holder of the notes. We will provide you with a copy of the indenture, which includes the form of the notes, as provided under the caption “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” In addition, the indenture and the notes will be deemed to include certain terms that are made a part of the indenture and the notes pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

This “Description of Notes” section supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, supersedes the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities.”

Certain terms used in this summary are defined below under the caption “— Definitions.” Certain other terms used in this summary are defined in the indenture.

References to “we,” “us” and “our” in this section refer to The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated only and not to any of its subsidiaries. References to any “note” in this section refer to any authorized denomination of a note, unless the context requires otherwise. References to our “common stock” in this section refer to our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Generally

The notes will:

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be our senior, unsecured obligations;

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initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 (or $345,000,000, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes);

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bear interest from, and including, , 2021, at an annual rate of %, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021;

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bear special interest in the circumstances described below under the caption “— Events of Default — Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults”;

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mature on June 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted;

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be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), at our option, on or after June 20, 2024 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, in the circumstances, and at the redemption price, described below under the caption “— Optional Redemption”;

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be subject to repurchase by us at the noteholders’ option if a “fundamental change” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) occurs, at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (subject to the right of noteholders on a regular record date to receive the related interest payment), as described, and subject to the limited exception set forth, below under the caption “— Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”;

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be convertible, at the noteholders’ option, into cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock, based on an initial conversion rate of shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share), under the conditions, and subject to the adjustments, described below under the caption “— Conversion Rights”;

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be issued in minimum principal amount denominations of $1,000 and in principal amount denominations of any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, which we refer to as an “authorized denomination”; and

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initially be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but may, in certain circumstances, be exchanged for notes in definitive form, as described below under the caption “— Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.”

The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not limit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness, paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing any securities. Except to the extent described below under the captions “— Conversion Rights — Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” “— Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “— Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale,” the indenture will not contain any provisions designed to protect noteholders upon a highly leveraged transaction involving us or a decline in our credit rating as a result of a recapitalization, takeover, highly leveraged transaction or other restructuring involving us.

Without the consent of any noteholder, we may issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes we are offering (except for certain differences, such as the date as of which interest begins to accrue and the first interest payment date for such additional notes). However, such additional notes (and any notes that have been resold after they have been purchased or otherwise acquired by us or our subsidiaries) must be identified by a separate CUSIP number or by no CUSIP number if they are not fungible, for U.S. federal income tax or federal securities laws purposes, with other notes we issue under the indenture.

We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange or include them in any automated inter-dealer quotation system.

Absent manifest error, a person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar’s books will be considered to be the holder of that note for all purposes, and only registered noteholders (which, in the case of notes held through DTC, will initially be DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co.) will have rights under the indenture as noteholders.

Subject to applicable law, we or our subsidiaries may directly or indirectly repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether through private or public tender or exchange offers, cash-settled swaps or other cash-settled derivatives. Any notes that we or our subsidiaries have purchased or otherwise acquired will be deemed to remain outstanding until such time as we deliver them to the trustee for cancellation. However, subject to the terms of the indenture, notes that we or any of our affiliates own will be deemed not to be outstanding for purposes of determining whether the noteholders have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent.

Payments on the Notes

We will pay (or cause the paying agent to pay) the principal of, and interest on, any global note by wire transfer of immediately available funds. We will pay (or cause the paying agent to pay) the principal of, and interest on, any physical note as follows:

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if the principal amount of such note is at least $5.0 million (or such lower amount as we may choose in our sole and absolute discretion) and the holder of such note entitled to such payment has delivered to the paying agent or the trustee, no later than the time set forth below, a written request to receive payment by wire transfer to an account of such holder within the United States, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account; and

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in all other cases, by check mailed to the address of such holder set forth in the note register.

To be timely, a written request referred to in the first bullet point above must be delivered no later than the “close of business” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) on the following date: (i) with respect to the payment of any interest due on an interest payment date, the immediately preceding regular record date; and (ii) with respect to any other payment, the date that is 15 calendar days immediately before the date such payment is due.

If the due date for a payment on a note is not a “business day” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”), then such payment may be made on the immediately following business day and no interest will accrue on such payment as a result of the related delay. Solely for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a day on which the applicable place of payment is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed will be deemed not to be a “business day.”

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Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent

We will maintain one or more offices or agencies in the continental United States where notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange, payment and conversion, which we refer to as the “registrar,” “paying agent” and “conversion agent,” respectively. We have appointed the trustee as the initial registrar, paying agent and conversion agent and its office in the United States as a place where notes may be presented for payment. However, we may change the registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, and we or any of our subsidiaries may choose to act in that capacity as well, without prior notice to the noteholders.

Transfers and Exchanges

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Transfers and Exchanges” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Transfer and Exchange.”

A noteholder may transfer or exchange its notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. We, the trustee and the registrar may require the noteholder to, among other things, deliver appropriate endorsements or transfer instruments, and such certificates or other documentation or evidence as we or they may reasonably require to determine that such transfer or exchange complies with applicable securities laws. In addition, we, the trustee and the registrar may refuse to register the transfer or exchange of any note that is subject to conversion, redemption or required repurchase.

We have appointed the trustee’s office in the United States as a place where notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. However, we may change the registrar or act as the registrar ourselves without prior notice to the noteholders. A holder of a beneficial interest in a note in global form may transfer or exchange such beneficial interest in accordance with the indenture and the “depositary procedures” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”). See “— Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance — Book-Entry Procedures for Global Notes.”

Interest

The notes will bear cash interest at an annual rate of %, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021, to the noteholders of record of the notes as of the close of business on the immediately preceding June 1 and December 1, respectively. Interest will accrue from, and including, the last date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from, and including, the date the notes are initially issued) to, but excluding, the next interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

In addition to the stated interest on the notes referred to above, special interest will accrue on the notes in the circumstances described below under the caption “— Events of Default — Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults.” All references in this prospectus supplement to interest on the notes include any special interest and default interest (as described below under the caption “— Events of Default — Default Interest”) payable on the notes, unless the context requires otherwise.

Ranking

The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be:

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equal in right of payment with our future senior, unsecured indebtedness;

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senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes in right of payment;

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effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and

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The indenture will not prohibit us from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, which would be effectively senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness, or indebtedness that would rank equal in right of payment with the notes. The indenture will also not prohibit our subsidiaries from incurring any additional indebtedness or other liabilities that would be structurally senior to our obligations under the notes.

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure any indebtedness will not be available to make payments under the notes unless all of that indebtedness is first paid in full. In the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of any of our subsidiaries, we, as a common equity holder of that subsidiary, and, therefore, the noteholders, will rank behind that subsidiary’s creditors, including that subsidiary’s trade creditors, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) that subsidiary’s preferred equity holders. Even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be effectively subordinated to any security interest of others in the assets of that subsidiary, to the extent of the value of those assets, and would be subordinated to any indebtedness of that subsidiary that is senior in right of payment to that held by us.

Our subsidiaries will have no obligations under the notes. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, corporate and other laws and by agreements to which our subsidiaries are or may become a party. Accordingly, we may be unable to gain access to the cash flow or assets of our subsidiaries to enable us to make payments on the notes.

See “Risk Factors — The notes will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries.”

Optional Redemption

We may not redeem the notes at our option at any time before June 20, 2024. Subject to the terms of the indenture, we have the right, at our election, to redeem all, or any portion (subject to the partial redemption limitation described below) in an authorized denomination, of the notes, at any time, and from time to time, on a redemption date on or after June 20, 2024 and on or before the 30th “scheduled trading day” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) immediately before the maturity date, for cash, but only if the “last reported sale price” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) per share of common stock exceeds 130% of the “conversion price” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) on (i) each of at least 20 “trading days” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”), whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (ii) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption. If we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, then the redemption will not constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to the notes not called for redemption, and holders of the notes not called for redemption will not be entitled to an increased conversion rate for such notes as described above on account of the redemption, except to the limited extent described further below.

The redemption date will be a business day of our choosing that is no more than 55, nor less than 35, scheduled trading days after the date we send the related redemption notice, as described below.

The redemption price for any note called for redemption will be the principal amount of such note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the redemption date. However, if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or before the next interest payment date, then (i) the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such redemption, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such

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note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and (ii) the redemption price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, such redemption date.

We will send to each applicable noteholder notice of the redemption containing certain information set forth in the indenture, including the redemption price and the redemption date.

If only a portion of a note is subject to redemption and that note is converted in part, then the converted portion of that note will be deemed to be from the portion of that note that was subject to redemption.

If we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, then the excess of the principal amount of notes outstanding as of the time we send the related redemption notice over the aggregate principal amount of notes set forth in such redemption notice as being subject to redemption must be at least $150.0 million (such requirement, the “partial redemption limitation”). In addition, if we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, and the holder of any note, or any owner of a beneficial interest in any global note, is reasonably not able to determine, before the close of business on the 32nd scheduled trading day immediately before the relevant redemption date, whether such note or beneficial interest, as applicable, is to be redeemed pursuant to such redemption, then such holder or owner, as applicable, will be entitled to convert such note or beneficial interest, as applicable, at any time before the close of business on the second business day immediately before such redemption date, and each such conversion will be deemed to be of a note called for redemption for purposes of these redemption provisions and the provisions described below under the captions “— Conversion Rights — When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion Upon Redemption” and “— Conversion Rights — Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.”

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we may not redeem any notes if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the redemption date (including as a result of the payment of the related redemption price and any related interest described above on the redemption date).

Conversion Rights

Generally

Noteholders will have the right to convert their notes (or any portion of a note in an authorized denomination), in the circumstances described below, into cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock, based on an initial conversion rate of shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share).

Noteholders may convert their notes only in the circumstances described below under the caption “— When the Notes May Be Converted.”

Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion

We will not adjust the conversion rate to account for any accrued and unpaid interest on any note being converted, and, except as described below, our delivery of the consideration due in respect of the conversion will be deemed to fully satisfy and discharge our obligation to pay the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, such note to, but excluding, the “conversion date” (as defined below under the caption “— Conversion Procedures”). As a result, except as described below, any accrued and unpaid interest on a converted note will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. In addition, if the consideration due upon conversion consists of both cash and shares of our common stock, then accrued and unpaid interest that is deemed to be paid therewith will be deemed to be paid first out of such cash.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, if the conversion date of a note is after a regular record date and before the next interest payment date, then:

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the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such conversion, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and

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the noteholder surrendering such note for conversion must deliver, at the time it surrenders such note, an amount of cash equal to the amount of such interest.

However, such noteholder need not deliver such cash:

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if we have specified a redemption date that is after such regular record date and on or before the second business day immediately after such interest payment date;

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if such conversion date occurs after the regular record date immediately before the maturity date;

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if we have specified a “fundamental change repurchase date” (as defined below under the caption “— Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) that is after such regular record date and on or before the business day immediately after such interest payment date; or

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to the extent of any overdue interest or interest that has accrued on any overdue interest.

Accordingly, for the avoidance of doubt, all noteholders as of the close of business on the regular record date immediately before the maturity date will receive the full interest payment that would have been due on the maturity date regardless of whether their notes have been converted after such regular record date.

When the Notes May Be Converted

Noteholders may convert their notes only in the circumstances set forth below. However, in no event may notes be converted after the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.

Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Common Stock Sale Price Condition

A noteholder may convert its notes during any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal quarter) commencing after the fiscal quarter ending on September 28, 2021, if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter.

Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Note Trading Price Condition

A noteholder may convert its notes during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) if the “trading price” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined following a request by a noteholder in accordance with the procedures described below, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day. We refer to this condition as the “trading price condition.”

The trading price will be determined by the bid solicitation agent as described below and the definition of “trading price.” The bid solicitation agent (if not us) will have no obligation to determine the trading price of the notes unless we have requested such determination in writing, and we will have no obligation to make such request (or seek bids ourselves) unless a noteholder provides us with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes would be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock and the conversion rate. If a noteholder provides such evidence, then we will instruct the bid solicitation agent to (or, if we are acting as the bid solicitation agent, we will) determine the trading price of the notes beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day. If the trading price condition has been met as described above, then we will notify the noteholders of the same. If, on any trading day after the trading price condition has been met as described above, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day, then we will notify the noteholders of the same.

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We will act as the initial bid solicitation agent. However, we may change the bid solicitation agent, and we may appoint any of our subsidiaries to act in that capacity as well, without prior notice to the noteholders.

Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events

Certain Distributions

If, before February 17, 2026, we elect to:

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distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, any rights, options or warrants (other than rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, so long as such rights have not separated from our common stock and are not exercisable until the occurrence of a triggering event, except that such rights will be deemed to be distributed under this bullet point upon their separation from our common stock or upon the occurrence of such triggering event) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the record date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced (determined in accordance with the provisions described in the third paragraph of clause (2) under the heading “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally” below); or

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distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, assets or securities of ours or rights to purchase our securities, which distribution per share of our common stock has a value, as reasonably determined by our board of directors, exceeding 10% of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced,

then, in either case, we will send notice of such distribution, and of the related right to convert notes, to noteholders at least 35 scheduled trading days before the “ex-dividend date” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) for such distribution (or, if later in the case of any such separation of rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan or the occurrence of any such triggering event under a stockholder rights plan, as soon as reasonably practicable after we become aware that such separation or triggering event has occurred or will occur). Once we have sent such notice, noteholders may convert their notes at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately before such ex-dividend date and our announcement that such distribution will not take place. However, the notes will not become convertible on account of such distribution (but we will still be required to send notice of such distribution as described above) if each noteholder participates, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our common stock, and solely by virtue of being a noteholder, in such distribution without having to convert such noteholder’s notes and as if such noteholder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the product of (i) the conversion rate in effect on the record date for such distribution; and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such noteholder on such record date.

Certain Corporate Events

If a fundamental change, make-whole fundamental change (other than a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof) or “common stock change event” (as defined below under the caption “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event”) occurs (other than a merger or other business combination transaction that is effected solely to change our jurisdiction of incorporation and that does not constitute a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change), then, in each case, noteholders may convert their notes at any time from, and including, the effective date of such transaction or event to, and including, the 35th trading day after such effective date (or, if such transaction or event also constitutes a fundamental change (other than an “exempted fundamental change,” as defined below under the caption “— Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes — No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances”), to, but excluding, the related fundamental change repurchase date). No later than the business day after such effective date, we will send notice to the noteholders of such transaction or event, such effective date and the related right to convert notes. If we do not provide such notice by the effective date, then the last day on which the notes are convertible will be extended by the number of business days from, and including, the effective date to, but excluding, the date we provide the notice.

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Conversion Upon Redemption

If we call any note for redemption, then the holder of such note may convert such note at any time before the close of business on the second business day immediately before the related redemption date (or, if we fail to pay the redemption price due on such redemption date in full, at any time until such time as we pay such redemption price in full).

Conversions During Free Convertibility Period

A noteholder may convert its notes at any time from, and including, February 17, 2026 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.

Conversion Procedures

To convert a beneficial interest in a global note, the owner of the beneficial interest must:

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comply with the depositary procedures for converting the beneficial interest (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable);

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if applicable, pay any interest payable on the next interest payment date, as described above under the caption “— Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion”; and

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if applicable, pay any documentary or other taxes as described below.

To convert all or a portion of a physical note, the holder of such note must:

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complete, manually sign and deliver to the conversion agent the conversion notice attached to such note or a facsimile of such conversion notice;

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deliver such note to the conversion agent (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable);

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furnish any endorsements and transfer documents that we or the conversion agent may require;

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if applicable, pay any interest payable on the next interest payment date, as described above under the caption “— Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion”; and

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if applicable, pay any documentary or other taxes as described below.

Notes may be surrendered for conversion only after the “open of business” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) and before the close of business on a day that is a business day.

We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or duty due on the issue or delivery of any shares of our common stock upon conversion, except any tax or duty that is due because the converting noteholder requests those shares to be registered in a name other than the noteholder’s name.

We refer to the first business day on which the requirements described above to convert a note are satisfied as the “conversion date.”

If a noteholder has validly delivered a “fundamental change repurchase notice” (as defined below under the caption “— Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) with respect to a note, then such note may not be converted, except to the extent (i) such notice is withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described below; or (ii) we fail to pay the related fundamental change repurchase price for such note.

Settlement Upon Conversion

Generally

Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as applicable, either cash (“cash settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.” The consideration due upon the conversion of any note will be determined based on the conversion rate, the “daily VWAPs” per share of our common stock over an “observation period” consisting of 30 consecutive “VWAP trading days” and, in the

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case of combination settlement, the “specified dollar amount” (as those terms are defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) that applies to the conversion. The applicable specified dollar amount will be determined in accordance with the provisions described below and will be an amount that is no less than $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted.

Settlement Method

We will have the right, as described below, to elect the settlement method applicable to the conversion of any notes. Except as described below, we must use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not be obligated to use the same settlement method for conversions with different conversion dates. All conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after February 17, 2026 will be settled using the same settlement method, and we will send notice of such settlement method to noteholders no later than the open of business on February 17, 2026. If we elect a settlement method for a conversion with a conversion date that occurs before February 17, 2026, then we will send notice of such settlement method to the converting noteholder no later than the close of business on the business day immediately after the conversion date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described above, if we call any notes for redemption, then (i) we will specify in the related redemption notice (and, in the case of a redemption of less than all outstanding notes, in a notice simultaneously sent to all holders of notes not called for redemption) the settlement method that will apply to all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after the date we send such redemption notice and on or before the second business day before the related redemption date; and (ii) if the related redemption date is on or after February 17, 2026, then such settlement method must be the same settlement method that applies to all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after February 17, 2026.

If we do not timely elect a settlement method with respect to any conversion, then we will be deemed to have elected the “default settlement method” (as defined below). If we timely elect combination settlement with respect to a conversion but do not timely notify the converting noteholder of the applicable specified dollar amount, then the specified dollar amount for such conversion will be deemed to be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. For the avoidance of doubt, our failure to timely elect a settlement method or specify the applicable specified dollar amount will not constitute a default under the indenture.

The “default settlement method” will initially be combination settlement with a specified dollar amount of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. However, we may, from time to time, change the default settlement method, to any settlement method that we are then permitted to elect, by sending notice of the new default settlement method to the noteholders. In addition, we may, by notice to the noteholders, elect to irrevocably fix the settlement method or to irrevocably elect combination settlement and eliminate a specified dollar amount or range of specified dollar amounts, provided we are then otherwise permitted to elect the applicable settlement method(s). If we make such an irrevocable election, then such election will apply to all note conversions with a conversion date that is on or after the date we send such notice. In addition, if we irrevocably elect combination settlement and eliminate a specified dollar amount or range of specified dollar amounts, then we will, if needed, simultaneously change the default settlement method to combination settlement with a specified dollar amount that is consistent with such irrevocable election. However, in all cases, no such irrevocable election will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the indenture, and in no event may we elect combination settlement with a specified dollar amount that is less than $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, will be effective without the need to amend the indenture or the notes, including pursuant to the provisions described in the seventh bullet point of the third paragraph under the caption “— Modification and Amendment” below. However, we may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at our option.

If we change the default settlement method or irrevocably fix the settlement method pursuant to the provisions described above, then we will either post the default settlement method or fixed settlement method, as applicable, on our website or disclose the same in a current report on Form 8-K (or any successor form) that is filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Consideration Due Upon Conversion

Subject to the other provisions described in this section, the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of a note will be as follows:

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•

if cash settlement applies, cash in an amount equal to the sum of the “daily conversion values” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion; or

•

if combination settlement applies, (i) a number of shares of our common stock equal to the sum of the “daily share amounts” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion; and (ii) an amount of cash equal to the sum of the “daily cash amounts” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in such observation period.

However, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock otherwise due upon conversion, we will pay cash based on the daily VWAP on the last VWAP trading day of the applicable observation period.

If a noteholder converts more than one note on a conversion date, then the consideration due upon such conversion will (in the case of any global note, to the extent permitted by, and practicable under, the depositary procedures) be computed based on the total principal amount of notes converted on such conversion date by that noteholder.

Delivery of the Conversion Consideration

Except as described below under the captions “— Conversion Rate Adjustments” and “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event,” we will pay or deliver, as applicable, the consideration due upon conversion on or before the second business day immediately after the last VWAP trading day of the observation period for such conversion.

When Converting Noteholders Become Stockholders of Record

The person in whose name any share of common stock is issuable upon conversion of any note will be deemed to become the holder of record of that share as of the close of business on the last VWAP trading day of the observation period for such conversion.

Conversion Rate Adjustments

Generally

The conversion rate will be adjusted for the events described below. However, we are not required to adjust the conversion rate for these events (other than a stock split or combination or a tender or exchange offer) if each noteholder participates, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our common stock, and solely by virtue of being a holder of notes, in such transaction or event without having to convert such noteholder’s notes and as if such noteholder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the product of (i) the conversion rate in effect on the related record date; and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such noteholder on such date.

(1)

Stock Dividends, Splits and Combinations. If we issue solely shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution on all or substantially all shares of our common stock, or if we effect a stock split or a stock combination of our common stock (in each case excluding an issuance solely pursuant to a common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event” will apply), then the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately before the open of business on the effective date of such stock split or stock combination, as applicable;

CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable;

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OS0

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable, without giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination; and

OS1

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination.

If any dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination of the type described in this paragraph (1) is declared or announced, but not so paid or made, then the conversion rate will be readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution or to effect such stock split or stock combination, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination not been declared or announced.

(2)

Rights, Options and Warrants. If we distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, rights, options or warrants (other than rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (3)(a) and under the caption “— Stockholder Rights Plans” will apply) entitling such holders, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the record date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced, then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution;

CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date;

the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

a number of shares of our common stock obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants by (y) the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced.

To the extent such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the conversion rate for such distribution been made on the basis of only the rights, options or warrants, if any, actually distributed. In addition, to the extent that shares of our common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants (including as a result of such rights, options or warrants not being exercised), the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the conversion rate for such distribution been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of our common stock actually delivered upon exercise of such rights, option or warrants.

For purposes of this paragraph (2) and the provisions described above under the caption “— When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events — Certain Distributions,” in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle holders of our common stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date the distribution of such rights, options or warrants

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is announced, and in determining the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, there will be taken into account any consideration we receive for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if not cash, to be determined by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

(3)

Spin-Offs and Other Distributed Property.

(a)

Distributions Other than Spin-Offs. If we distribute shares of our “capital stock” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”), evidences of our indebtedness or other assets or property of ours, or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding:

•

dividends, distributions, rights, options or warrants for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required without regard to the “deferral exception” (as defined below under the caption “— The Deferral Exception”)) pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) above;

•

dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required without regard to the deferral exception) pursuant to paragraph (4) below;

•

rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, except to the extent provided below under the caption “— Stockholder Rights Plans”;

•

spin-offs for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required without regard to the deferral exception) pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) below;

•

a distribution solely pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our common stock, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (5) will apply; and

•

a distribution solely pursuant to a common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event” will apply,

then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution;

CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;

the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before such ex-dividend date; and

FMV

the fair market value (as determined by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner), as of such ex-dividend date, of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants distributed per share of our common stock pursuant to such distribution.

However, if FMV is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the conversion rate, each noteholder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes held by such noteholder on the record date for such distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our common stock, and without having to convert its notes, the amount and kind of shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants that such noteholder would have received if such noteholder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on such record date.

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To the extent such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(b)

Spin-Offs. If we distribute or dividend shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests, of or relating to an “affiliate” or “subsidiary” (as those terms are defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) or other business unit of ours to all or substantially all holders of our common stock (other than solely pursuant to (x) a common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event” will apply; or (y) a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our common stock, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (5) will apply), and such capital stock or equity interests are listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon the consummation of the transaction) on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “spin-off”), then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the close of business on the last trading day of the “spin-off valuation period” (as defined below) for such spin-off;

CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last trading day of the spin-off valuation period;

FMV

the product of (x) the average of the last reported sale prices per share or unit of the capital stock or equity interests distributed in such spin-off over the 10 consecutive trading day period (the “spin-off valuation period”) beginning on, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off (such average to be determined as if references to our common stock in the definitions of “last reported sale price,” “trading day” and “market disruption event” were instead references to such capital stock or equity interests); and (y) the number of shares or units of such capital stock or equity interests distributed per share of our common stock in such spin-off; and

the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock for each trading day in the spin-off valuation period.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if any VWAP trading day of the observation period for a note to be converted occurs during the spin-off valuation period for such spin-off, then, solely for purposes of determining the conversion rate for such VWAP trading day for such conversion, such spin-off valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such VWAP trading day.

To the extent any dividend or distribution of the type described above in this paragraph (3)(b) is declared but not made or paid, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(4)

Cash Dividends or Distributions. If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution;

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CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;

the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on the trading day immediately before such ex-dividend date; and

the cash amount distributed per share of our common stock in such dividend or distribution.

However, if D is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the conversion rate, each noteholder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes held by such noteholder on the record date for such dividend or distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our common stock, and without having to convert its notes, the amount of cash that such noteholder would have received if such noteholder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on such record date. To the extent such dividend or distribution is declared but not made or paid, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(5)

Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. If we or any of our subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our common stock (other than solely pursuant to an odd-lot tender offer pursuant to Rule 13e-4(h)(5) under the Exchange Act), and the value (determined as of the expiration time by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of the cash and other consideration paid per share of our common stock in such tender or exchange offer exceeds the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on the trading day immediately after the last date (the “expiration date”) on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended), then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

where:

CR0

the conversion rate in effect immediately before the close of business on the last trading day of the “tender/exchange offer valuation period” (as defined below) for such tender or exchange offer;

CR1

the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last trading day of the tender/exchange offer valuation period;

the aggregate value (determined as of the time (the “expiration time”) such tender or exchange offer expires by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of all cash and other consideration paid for shares of our common stock purchased or exchanged in such tender or exchange offer;

OS0

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before the expiration time (including all shares of our common stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);

OS1

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the expiration time (excluding all shares of our common stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and

the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period (the “tender/exchange offer valuation period”) beginning on, and including, the trading day immediately after the expiration date;

provided, however, that the conversion rate will in no event be adjusted down pursuant to the provisions described in this paragraph (5), except to the extent provided in the immediately following paragraph. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if any VWAP trading day of the observation period for a note to be converted occurs during the tender/exchange offer valuation period for such tender or exchange

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offer, then, solely for purposes of determining the conversion rate for such VWAP trading day for such conversion, such tender/exchange offer valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the trading day immediately after the expiration date for such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such VWAP trading day.

To the extent such tender or exchange offer is announced but not consummated (including as a result of being precluded from consummating such tender or exchange offer under applicable law), or any purchases or exchanges of shares of common stock in such tender or exchange offer are rescinded, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the purchases or exchanges of shares of common stock, if any, actually made, and not rescinded, in such tender or exchange offer.

We will not be required to adjust the conversion rate except as described above or below under the caption “— Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.” Without limiting the foregoing, we will not be required to adjust the conversion rate on account of:

•

except as described above, the sale of shares of our common stock for a purchase price that is less than the market price per share of our common stock or less than the conversion price;

•

the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our common stock under any such plan;

•

the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options or rights to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of, or assumed by, us or any of our subsidiaries;

•

the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or convertible or exchangeable security of ours outstanding as of the date we first issue the notes;

•

solely a change in the par value of our common stock; or

•

accrued and unpaid interest on the notes.

Notice of Conversion Rate Adjustments

Upon the effectiveness of any adjustment to the conversion rate pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally,” we will promptly send notice to the noteholders containing (i) a brief description of the transaction or other event on account of which such adjustment was made; (ii) the conversion rate in effect immediately after such adjustment; and (iii) the effective time of such adjustment.

Voluntary Conversion Rate Increases

To the extent permitted by law and applicable stock exchange rules, we, from time to time, may (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate by any amount if (i) our board of directors determines that such increase is in our best interest or that such increase is advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax imposed on holders of our common stock or rights to purchase our common stock as a result of any dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) of our common stock or any similar event; (ii) such increase is in effect for a period of at least 20 business days; and (iii) such increase is irrevocable during such period.

Withholding Tax Considerations

A holder or beneficial owner of the notes may, in some circumstances, including a cash distribution or dividend on our common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution that is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the non-occurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. Applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) may be withheld from interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase, redemption or maturity of the notes. In addition, if any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a holder or beneficial owner, then those withholding taxes may be withheld from or set off against payments of cash or the delivery of shares of common stock, if any, in respect of the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by, or

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other funds or assets of, that holder or beneficial owner. For a further discussion, see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

The Deferral Exception

If an adjustment to the conversion rate otherwise required by the indenture would result in a change of less than 1% to the conversion rate, then we may, at our election, defer such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in a change of at least 1% to the conversion rate; (ii) any VWAP trading day of an observation period for any note; (iii) the date a fundamental change or make-whole fundamental change occurs; (iv) the date we call any notes for redemption; and (v) February 17, 2026. We refer to our ability to defer adjustments as described above as the “deferral exception.”

Special Provisions for Adjustments that Are Not Yet Effective and Where Converting Noteholders Participate in the Relevant Transaction or Event

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if:

•

a note is to be converted pursuant to combination settlement;

•

the record date, effective date or expiration time for any event that requires an adjustment to the conversion rate pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally” has occurred on or before any VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion, but an adjustment to the conversion rate for such event has not yet become effective as of such VWAP trading day;

•

the consideration due in respect of such VWAP trading day includes any whole or fractional shares of our common stock; and

•

such shares are not entitled to participate in such event (because they were not held on the related record date or otherwise),

then, solely for purposes of such conversion, we will, without duplication, give effect to such adjustment on such VWAP trading day. In such case, if the date we are otherwise required to deliver the consideration due upon such conversion is before the first date on which the amount of such adjustment can be determined, then we will delay the settlement of such conversion until the second business day after such first date.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if:

•

a conversion rate adjustment for any dividend or distribution becomes effective on any ex-dividend date pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally”;

•

a note is to be converted pursuant to combination settlement;

•

any VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion occurs on or after such ex-dividend date and on or before the related record date;

•

the consideration due in respect of such VWAP trading day includes any whole or fractional shares of our common stock based on a conversion rate that is adjusted for such dividend or distribution; and

•

such shares would be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution,

then the conversion rate adjustment relating to such ex-dividend date will be made for such conversion in respect of such VWAP trading day, but the shares of common stock issuable with respect to such VWAP trading day based on such adjusted conversion rate will not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution.

Stockholder Rights Plans

If we have a stockholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the notes into our common stock, you will receive, in addition to any shares of our common stock received in connection with such conversion, the rights

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under the stockholder rights plan. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the shares of our common stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights plan, then the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we distributed to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described above in clause (3)(a) under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally,” subject to readjustment in accordance with the provisions described in the final paragraph of such clause. We currently do not have a stockholder rights plan in effect.

Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change

Generally

If a make-whole fundamental change occurs and the conversion date for the conversion of a note occurs during the related “make-whole fundamental change conversion period” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”), then, subject to the provisions described below, the conversion rate applicable to such conversion will be increased by a number of shares (the “additional shares”) set forth in the table below corresponding (after interpolation as described below) to the “make-whole fundamental change effective date” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) and the “stock price” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) of such make-whole fundamental change:

Make-Whole Fundamental Change Effective Date	Stock Price
Make-Whole Fundamental Change Effective Date	$	$	$	$	$	$	$	$
, 2021
June 15, 2022
June 15, 2023
June 15, 2024
June 15, 2025
June 15, 2026

If such make-whole fundamental change effective date or stock price is not set forth in the table above, then:

•

if such stock price is between two stock prices in the table above or the make-whole fundamental change effective date is between two dates in the table above, then the number of additional shares will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices in the table above or the earlier and later dates in the table above, based on a 365- or 366-day year, as applicable; and

•

if the stock price is greater than $ (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above are adjusted, as described below under the caption “— Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares”), or less than $ (subject to adjustment in the same manner), per share, then no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will the conversion rate be increased to an amount that exceeds shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which amount is subject to adjustment in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally.”

For the avoidance of doubt, calling any notes for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change only with respect to the notes called (or deemed called) for redemption, and not with respect to the notes not called (or deemed called) for redemption. Accordingly, if we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, then holders of the notes not called for redemption will not be entitled to an increased conversion rate for such notes as described above on account of the redemption, except to the limited extent described above under the caption “— Optional Redemption.”

As set forth in the definition of “make-whole fundamental change conversion period” below under the caption “— Definitions,” if the conversion date for the conversion of a note occurs during a make-whole fundamental

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change conversion period relating to both a make-whole fundamental change resulting from our calling notes for redemption and another make-whole fundamental change, then, solely for purposes of that conversion, such conversion date will be deemed to occur only during the period relating to the make-whole fundamental change with the earlier make-whole fundamental change effective date. In that circumstance, the make-whole fundamental change with the later make-whole fundamental change effective date will be deemed not to occur for purposes of such conversion.

Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares

The stock prices in the first row (i.e., the column headers) of the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion price is adjusted as a result of the operation of the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally.” The numbers of additional shares in the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is adjusted pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rate Adjustments — Generally.”

Notice of Make-Whole Fundamental Change

We will notify noteholders of each make-whole fundamental change in accordance with the provisions described above under the captions “— When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events — Certain Corporate Events” and “— Optional Redemption.”

Enforceability

Our obligation to increase the conversion rate as described above in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case its enforceability would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.

Effect of Common Stock Change Event

Generally

If there occurs any:

•

recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock, other than (x) changes solely resulting from a subdivision or combination of our common stock, (y) a change only in par value or from par value to no par value or no par value to par value or (z) stock splits and stock combinations that do not involve the issuance of any other series or class of securities;

•

consolidation, merger, combination or binding or statutory share exchange involving us;

•

sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person; or

•

other similar event,

and, as a result of which, our common stock is converted into, or is exchanged for, or represents solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property, or any combination of the foregoing (such an event, a “common stock change event,” and such other securities, cash or property, the “reference property,” and the amount and kind of reference property that a holder of one share of our common stock would be entitled to receive on account of such common stock change event (without giving effect to any arrangement not to issue or deliver a fractional portion of any security or other property), a “reference property unit”), then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary,

•

from and after the effective time of such common stock change event, (i) the consideration due upon conversion of any note, and the conditions to any such conversion, will be determined in the same manner as if each reference to any number of shares of common stock in the provisions described under this “— Conversion Rights” section (or in any related definitions) were instead a reference to the same number of reference property units; (ii) for purposes of the redemption provisions described above under the caption “— Optional Redemption,” each reference to any number of shares of our

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common stock in such provisions (or in any related definitions) will instead be deemed to be a reference to the same number of reference property units; and (iii) for purposes of the definitions of “fundamental change” and “make-whole fundamental change,” the terms “common stock” and “common equity” will be deemed to mean the common equity (including depositary receipts representing common equity), if any, forming part of such reference property;

•

if such reference property unit consists entirely of cash, then (i) each conversion of any note with a conversion date that occurs on or after the effective date of such common stock change event will be settled entirely in cash in an amount, per $1,000 principal amount of such note being converted, equal to the product of (x) the conversion rate in effect on such conversion date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase to such conversion rate pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” if applicable); and (y) the amount of cash constituting such reference property unit; and (ii) we will settle each such conversion no later than the fifth business day after the relevant conversion date; and

•

for these purposes, (i) the daily VWAP of any reference property unit or portion thereof that consists of a class of common equity securities will be determined by reference to the definition of “daily VWAP,” substituting, if applicable, the Bloomberg page for such class of securities in such definition; and (ii) the daily VWAP of any reference property unit or portion thereof that does not consist of a class of common equity securities, and the last reported sale price of any reference property unit or portion thereof that does not consist of a class of securities, will be the fair value of such reference property unit or portion thereof, as applicable, determined in good faith and a commercially reasonable manner by us (or, in the case of cash denominated in U.S. dollars, the face amount thereof).

If the reference property consists of more than a single type of consideration to be determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, then the composition of the reference property unit will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received, per share of our common stock, by the holders of our common stock. We will notify the noteholders of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.

We will not become a party to any common stock change event unless its terms are consistent with the provisions described under this “— Effect of Common Stock Change Event” caption.

Execution of Supplemental Indenture

At or before the effective time of the common stock change event, we and the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) of such common stock change event (the “successor person”) will execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture that (i) provides for subsequent adjustments to the conversion rate in a manner consistent with the provisions described above; and (ii) contains such other provisions, if any, that we reasonably determine are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of the noteholders and to give effect to the provisions described above. If the reference property includes shares of stock or other securities or assets (other than cash) of a person other than the successor person, then such other person will also execute such supplemental indenture and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions, if any, that we reasonably determine are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of noteholders.

Notice of Common Stock Change Event

We will provide notice of each common stock change event to noteholders no later than the business day after the effective date of the common stock change event.

Exchange in Lieu of Conversion

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, and subject to the terms of the indenture, if a note is submitted for conversion, we may elect to arrange to have such note exchanged in lieu of conversion by a financial institution we designate. To make such election, we must send notice of such election to the holder of such note before the close of business on the business day immediately following the conversion date for such note, and we must arrange for the financial institution to deliver the consideration due upon such conversion in the same manner and at the same time as we would have been required to do so. We will remain responsible to deliver such consideration if the financial institution fails to timely deliver the same.

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Equitable Adjustments to Prices

Whenever the indenture requires us to calculate the average of the last reported sale prices, or any function thereof, over a period of multiple days (including to calculate the stock price or an adjustment to the conversion rate), or to calculate daily VWAPs, daily conversion values, daily cash amounts or daily share amounts over an observation period, we will, if appropriate, make proportionate adjustments to those calculations to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate where the ex-dividend date, effective date or expiration date, as applicable, of such event occurs, at any time during such period or observation period, as applicable.

Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes

Generally

If a fundamental change occurs, then each noteholder will have the right (the “fundamental change repurchase right”) to require us to repurchase its notes (or any portion thereof in an authorized denomination) for cash on a date (the “fundamental change repurchase date”) of our choosing, which must be a business day that is no more than 35, nor less than 20, business days after the date we send the related fundamental change notice, as described below.

The repurchase price (the “fundamental change repurchase price”) for a note tendered for repurchase will be the principal amount of such note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. However, if the fundamental change repurchase date is after a regular record date and on or before the next interest payment date, then (i) the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such repurchase, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and (ii) the fundamental change repurchase price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we may not repurchase any notes if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the fundamental change repurchase date (including as a result of the payment of the related fundamental change repurchase price and any related interest described above on the fundamental change repurchase date).

Notice of Fundamental Change

On or before the 20th calendar day after the effective date of a fundamental change, we will send to each noteholder notice of such fundamental change containing certain information set forth in the indenture, including the fundamental change repurchase date, the fundamental change repurchase price and the procedures noteholders must follow to tender their notes for repurchase.

Procedures to Exercise the Fundamental Change Repurchase Right

To exercise its fundamental change repurchase right with respect to a note, the holder thereof must deliver a notice (a “fundamental change repurchase notice”) to the paying agent before the close of business on the business day immediately before the related fundamental change repurchase date (or such later time as may be required by law).

The fundamental change repurchase notice must contain certain information set forth in the indenture, including the certificate number of any physical notes to be repurchased, or must otherwise comply with the depositary procedures in the case of a global note.

A noteholder that has delivered a fundamental change repurchase notice with respect to a note may withdraw that notice by delivering a withdrawal notice to the paying agent at any time before the close of business on the business day immediately before the fundamental change repurchase date. The withdrawal notice must contain certain information set forth in the indenture, including the certificate number of any physical notes with respect to which the withdrawal notice is being delivered, or must otherwise comply with the depositary procedures in the case of a global note.

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Notes to be repurchased must be delivered to the paying agent (in the case of physical notes) or the depositary procedures must be complied with (in the case of global notes) for the holder of those notes to be entitled to receive the fundamental change repurchase price.

Compliance with Securities Laws

We will comply, in all material respects, with all federal and state securities laws in connection with a repurchase following a fundamental change (including complying with Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and filing any required Schedule TO, to the extent applicable) so as to permit effecting such repurchase in the manner described above. However, to the extent that our obligations to offer to repurchase and to repurchase notes pursuant to the provisions described above conflict with any law or regulation that is applicable to us and enacted after the date we initially issue the notes, our compliance with such law or regulation will not be considered to be a default of those obligations.

Repurchase by Third Party

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, we will be deemed to satisfy our obligations to repurchase notes pursuant to the provisions described above if (i) one or more third parties conduct the repurchase offer and repurchase tendered notes in a manner that would have satisfied our obligations to do the same if conducted directly by us; and (ii) an owner of a beneficial interest in any note repurchased by such third party or parties will not receive a lesser amount (as a result of taxes) than such owner would have received had we repurchased such note.

No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, we will not be required to send a fundamental change notice, or offer to repurchase or repurchase any notes, as described above, in connection with a fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (ii)(2) (or pursuant to clause (i) that also constitutes a fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (ii)(2)) of the definition thereof, if:

•

such fundamental change constitutes a common stock change event whose reference property consists entirely of cash in U.S. dollars;

•

immediately after such fundamental change, the notes become convertible (pursuant to the provisions described above under the captions “— Conversion Rights — Effect of Common Stock Change Event” and, if applicable, “— Conversion Rights — Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change”) into consideration that consists solely of U.S. dollars in an amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes that equals or exceeds the fundamental change repurchase price per $1,000 principal amount of notes (calculated assuming that the same includes accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the latest possible fundamental change repurchase date for such fundamental change); and

•

we timely send the notice relating to such fundamental change required pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights — When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events — Certain Corporate Events” and include, in such notice, a statement that we are relying on the provisions described in this “— No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances” section.

We refer to any fundamental change with respect to which, in accordance with the provisions described above, we do not offer to repurchase any notes as an “exempted fundamental change.”

Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.”

We will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or (directly, or indirectly through one or more of our subsidiaries) sell, lease or otherwise transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person (a “business combination event”), unless:

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•

the resulting, surviving or transferee person is us or, if not us, is a corporation (or, if such business combination event is an exempted fundamental change, is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or other similar entity) (the “successor entity”) duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia that expressly assumes (by executing and delivering to the trustee, at or before the effective time of such business combination event, a supplemental indenture) all of our obligations under the indenture and the notes; and

•

immediately after giving effect to such business combination event, no default or event of default will have occurred and be continuing.

At the effective time of a business combination event that complies with the provisions described above, the successor entity (if not us) will succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, us under the indenture and the notes, and, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor company will be discharged from its obligations under the indenture and the notes.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, the provisions described above will not apply to any transfer of assets between or among us and any one or more of our “wholly owned subsidiaries” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) not effected by merger or consolidation.

The definition of “business combination event” includes a reference to “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “all or substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, there may be uncertainty as to whether the provisions described above would apply to a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets.

Events of Default

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Events of Default” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Events of Default.”

Generally

An “event of default” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)

a default in the payment when due (whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase upon fundamental change or otherwise) of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, any note;

(2)

a default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on any note;

(3)

our failure to deliver, when required by the indenture, a fundamental change notice or a notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights — When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events,” if (in the case of any notice other than a notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights — When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events”) such failure is not cured within three business days after its occurrence;

(4)

a default in our obligation to convert a note in accordance with the indenture upon the exercise of the conversion right with respect thereto, if such default is not cured within two business days after its occurrence;

(5)

a default in our obligations described above under the caption “— Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale”;

(6)

a default in any of our obligations or agreements under the indenture or the notes (other than a default set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) above) where such default is not cured or waived within 60 days after notice to us by the trustee, or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding, which notice must specify such default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “notice of default”;

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(7)

a default by us or any of our “significant subsidiaries” (as defined below under the caption “— Definitions”) with respect to any one or more mortgages, agreements or other instruments under which there is outstanding, or by which there is secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed of at least $20,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us or any of our significant subsidiaries, whether such indebtedness exists as of the date we first issue the notes or is thereafter created, where such default:

•

constitutes a failure to pay the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period; or

•

results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable before its stated maturity,

in each case where such default is not cured or waived within 30 days after notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding;

(8)

one or more final judgments being rendered against us or any of our significant subsidiaries for the payment of at least $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate (excluding any amounts covered by insurance), where such judgment is not discharged or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal the same has expired, if no such appeal has commenced; or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished; and

(9)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization with respect to us or any of our significant subsidiaries.

Acceleration

If an event of default described in paragraph (9) above occurs with respect to us (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of ours), then the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the notes then outstanding will immediately become due and payable without any further action or notice by any person. If an event of default (other than an event of default described in paragraph (9) above with respect to us and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of ours) occurs and is continuing, then, except as described below under the caption “— Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults,” the trustee, by notice to us, or noteholders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the trustee, may declare the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the notes then outstanding to become due and payable immediately.

Noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the trustee, may, on behalf of all noteholders, rescind any acceleration of the notes and its consequences if (i) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) all existing events of default (except the non-payment of principal of, or interest on, the notes that has become due solely because of such acceleration) have been cured or waived. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereto.

If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), then the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.

Waiver of Past Defaults

An event of default pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), (4) or (6) above (that, in the case of paragraph (6) only, results from a default under any covenant that cannot be amended without the consent of each affected noteholder), and a default that could lead to such an event of default, can be waived only with the consent of each affected noteholder. Each other default or event of default may be waived, on behalf of all noteholders, by noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding.

Notice of Defaults

If a default or event of default occurs, then we will, within 30 days after its first occurrence, notify the trustee, setting forth what action we are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. We must also provide the

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trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, with a certificate as to whether any defaults or events of default have occurred or are continuing. If a default or event of default occurs and is continuing and is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, then the trustee must notify the noteholders of the same within 90 days after it occurs or, if it is not known to the trustee at such time, promptly (and in any event within 10 business days) after it becomes known to a responsible officer of the trustee. However, except in the case of a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any note, or a default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the trustee may withhold such notice if and for so long as it in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the noteholders.

Limitation on Suits; Absolute Rights of Noteholders

Except with respect to the rights referred to below, no noteholder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes, unless:

•

such noteholder has previously delivered to the trustee notice that an event of default is continuing;

•

noteholders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding deliver a written request to the trustee to pursue such remedy;

•

such noteholder(s) offer and, if requested, provide to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the trustee that may result from the trustee’s following such request;

•

the trustee does not comply with such request within 60 calendar days after its receipt of such request and such offer of security or indemnity; and

•

during such 60 calendar day period, noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding do not deliver to the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such request.

However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, but without limiting the provisions described in the third paragraph under the caption “— Modification and Amendment,” the right of each holder of a note to receive payment or delivery, as applicable, of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, or any interest on, or the consideration due upon conversion of, such note on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such respective due dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

Noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law, the indenture or the notes, or that, subject to the terms of the indenture, the trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other noteholders or may involve the trustee in liability, unless the trustee is offered security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the trustee that may result from the trustee’s following such direction.

Default Interest

Payments of any amounts due on the notes that are not made when due will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the stated interest on the notes.

Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described above, we may elect that the sole remedy for any event of default (a “reporting event of default”) pursuant to paragraph (6) above arising from our failure to comply with our obligations described below under the caption “— Exchange Act Reports” (including our obligations under Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act) will, for each of the first 180 calendar days on which a reporting event of default has occurred and is continuing, consist exclusively of the accrual of special interest on the notes. If we have made such an election, then (i) the notes will be subject to acceleration as described above on account of the relevant reporting event of default from, and including, the 181st calendar day on which a reporting event of default has occurred and is continuing or if we fail to pay any accrued and unpaid special interest when due; and (ii) special interest will cease to accrue on any notes from, and including, such 181st calendar day.

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Any special interest that accrues on a note will be payable on the same dates and in the same manner as the stated interest on such note and will accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount thereof for the first 90 days on which special interest accrues and, thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to 0.50% of the principal amount thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any special interest that accrues on a note will be in addition to the stated interest that accrues on such note.

To make the election to pay special interest as described above, we must provide notice of such election to noteholders before the date on which each reporting event of default first occurs. The notice will also, among other things, briefly describe the periods during which and rate at which special interest will accrue and the circumstances under which the notes will be subject to acceleration on account of such reporting event of default.

Modification and Amendment

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Modification and Amendment” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Modification and Waiver.”

We and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, amend or supplement the indenture or the notes or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes. However, without the consent of each affected noteholder, no amendment or supplement to the indenture or the notes, or waiver of any provision of the indenture or the notes, may:

•

reduce the principal, or extend the stated maturity, of any note;

•

reduce the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for any note or change the times at which, or the circumstances under which, the notes may or will be redeemed or repurchased by us;

•

reduce the rate, or extend the time for the payment, of interest on any note;

•

make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any note;

•

impair the absolute rights of any holder of a note to receive payment or delivery, as applicable, of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, or any interest on, or the consideration due upon conversion of, such note on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such due dates;

•

change the ranking of the notes;

•

make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the indenture or the note;

•

reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification; or

•

make any direct or indirect change to any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification provision of the indenture or the notes that requires the consent of each affected noteholder.

For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the first four bullet points above, no amendment or supplement to the indenture or the notes, or waiver of any provision of the indenture or the notes, may change the amount or type of consideration due on any note (whether on an interest payment date, redemption date, fundamental change repurchase date or the maturity date or upon conversion, or otherwise), or the date(s) or time(s) such consideration is payable or deliverable, as applicable, without the consent of each affected noteholder.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes without the consent of any noteholder to:

•

cure any ambiguity or correct any omission, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or the notes;

•

add guarantees with respect to our obligations under the indenture or the notes;

•

secure the notes;

•

add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of noteholders or surrender any right or power conferred on us;

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•

provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture and the notes pursuant to, and in compliance with, the provisions described above under the caption “— Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale”;

•

enter into supplemental indentures pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights — Effect of Common Stock Change Event” in connection with a common stock change event;

•

irrevocably elect or eliminate any settlement method or specified dollar amount; provided, however, that (1) no such election or elimination will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights — Settlement Upon Conversion — Settlement Method”; and (2) such irrevocable election or elimination can in no event result in a specified dollar amount of less than $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes applying to the conversion of any note;

•

evidence or provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee;

•

conform the provisions of the indenture and the notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the preliminary prospectus supplement for this offering, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet;

•

provide for or confirm the issuance of additional notes pursuant to the indenture;

•

provide for any transfer restrictions that apply to any notes issued under the indenture (other than the notes issued in this offering, and any notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) that, at the time of their original issuance, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or that are originally issued in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act;

•

comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with effecting or maintaining the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect; or

•

make any other change to the indenture or the notes that does not, individually or in the aggregate with all other such changes, adversely affect the rights of noteholders, as such, in any material respect.

Exchange Act Reports

We will send to the trustee copies of all reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 calendar days after the date that we are required to so file the same (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods under the Exchange Act). However, we need not send to the trustee any material for which we have received, or are seeking in good faith and have not been denied, confidential treatment by the SEC. Any report that we file with the SEC through the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed to be sent to the trustee at the time such report is so filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor). Upon the request of any noteholder, the trustee will provide to the noteholder a copy of any report that we have sent the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, other than a report that is deemed to be sent to the trustee pursuant to the preceding sentence. We will also comply with our other obligations under Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Discharge

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Discharge” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances.”

Subject to the terms of the indenture, our obligations with respect to the notes under the indenture will be discharged if we deliver all outstanding notes to the trustee for cancellation, or if all outstanding notes have become due and payable (including upon conversion, if the consideration due upon such conversion has been determined) and we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee, or caused to be delivered to noteholders, sufficient cash or other consideration to satisfy all such amounts that have become due and payable.

Calculations

Except as otherwise provided in the indenture, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the indenture or the notes, including determinations of the last reported sale price, the daily conversion

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value, the daily cash amount, the daily share amount, accrued interest on the notes and the conversion rate. We will make all calculations in good faith, and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on all noteholders. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to the trustee, and the trustee will promptly forward a copy of each such schedule to any noteholder upon written request. The trustee will not be obligated to make or confirm any calculations called for under the indenture or the notes.

Trustee

The trustee under the indenture is U.S. Bank National Association. The trustee assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the related documents. The trustee and its affiliates have in the past provided and may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business.

Notices

We will send all notices or communications to noteholders pursuant to the indenture in writing by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the noteholders’ respective addresses shown on the register for the notes. However, in the case of global notes, we are permitted to send notices or communications to noteholders pursuant to the depositary procedures, and notices and communications that we send in this manner will be deemed to have been properly sent to such noteholders in writing.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Securityholders.”

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of ours, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of ours under the indenture or the notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting any note, each noteholder will be deemed to waive and release all such liability, and such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the notes.

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Governing Law.”

The indenture and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York. The indenture will provide that we and the trustee will irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the notes or the transactions contemplated by the indenture or the notes.

Submission to Jurisdiction

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated by the indenture may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “specified courts”), and each party will be deemed to irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to any party’s address as provided in the indenture will be effective service of process for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. Each of us, the trustee and each noteholder (by its acceptance of any note) will be deemed to irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other

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proceeding in the specified courts and to irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Definitions

“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144 under the Securities Act as in effect on the date we first issue the notes.

“Bid solicitation agent” means the person who is required to obtain bids for the trading price in accordance with the provisions described under the caption “— Conversion Rights — When the Notes May Be Converted — Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Note Trading Price Condition” and in the definition of “trading price.”

“Board of directors” means our board of directors or a committee of such board duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.

“Business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

“Capital stock” of any person means any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, participations in, or other equivalents of, in each case however designated, the equity of such person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Close of business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

“Common equity” of any person means the capital stock of such person that is generally entitled to vote in the election of directors of such person (or, if such person is not a corporation, generally entitled to vote in the election, or otherwise participate in the selection, of the governing body, partners, managers or others that control the management or policies of such person).

“Conversion price” means, as of any time, an amount equal to (i) $1,000 divided by (ii) the conversion rate in effect at such time.

“Conversion rate” initially means shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which amount is subject to adjustment as described above under the caption “— Conversion Rights.” Whenever in this prospectus supplement we refer to the conversion rate as of a particular date without setting forth a particular time on such date, such reference will be deemed to be to the conversion rate immediately after the close of business on such date.

“Daily cash amount” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, the lesser of (i) the applicable daily maximum cash amount; and (ii) the daily conversion value for such VWAP trading day.

“Daily conversion value” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, one-thirtieth of the product of (i) the conversion rate on such VWAP trading day; and (ii) the daily VWAP per share of our common stock on such VWAP trading day.

“Daily maximum cash amount” means, with respect to the conversion of any note, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the specified dollar amount applicable to such conversion by (ii) 30.

“Daily share amount” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the excess, if any, of the daily conversion value for such VWAP trading day over the applicable daily maximum cash amount by (ii) the daily VWAP for such VWAP trading day. For the avoidance of doubt, the daily share amount will be zero for such VWAP trading day if such daily conversion value does not exceed such daily maximum cash amount.

“Daily VWAP” means, for any VWAP trading day, the per share volume-weighted average price of our common stock as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “CAKE <EQUITY> AQR” (or, if such page is not available, its equivalent successor page) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such VWAP trading day (or, if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our common stock on such VWAP trading day, determined, using a volume-weighted average price method, by a

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nationally recognized independent investment banking firm we select, which may include any of the underwriters). The daily VWAP will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session.

“Depositary procedures” means, with respect to any conversion, transfer, exchange or other transaction involving a global note or any beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the depositary applicable to such conversion, transfer, exchange or transaction.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

“Ex-dividend date” means, with respect to an issuance, dividend or distribution on our common stock, the first date on which shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance, dividend or distribution (including pursuant to due bills or similar arrangements required by the relevant stock exchange). For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of our common stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Fundamental change” means any of the following events:

(i)

a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us or our “wholly owned subsidiaries” (as defined below), or any employee benefit plans of ours or our wholly owned subsidiaries, files any report with the SEC indicating that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner” (as defined below) of shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of all of our common stock;

(ii)

the consummation of: (1) any sale, lease or other transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than solely to one or more of our wholly owned subsidiaries; or (2) any transaction or series of related transactions in connection with which (whether by means of merger, consolidation, share exchange, combination, reclassification, recapitalization, acquisition, liquidation or otherwise) all of our common stock is exchanged for, converted into, acquired for, or constitutes solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property; provided, however, that any merger, consolidation, share exchange or combination of us pursuant to which the persons that directly or indirectly “beneficially owned” (as defined below) all classes of our common equity immediately before such transaction directly or indirectly “beneficially own,” immediately after such transaction, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the surviving, continuing or acquiring company or other transferee, as applicable, or the parent thereof, in substantially the same proportions vis-à-vis each other as immediately before such transaction will be deemed not to be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (ii);

(iii)

our stockholders approve any plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution; or

(iv)

our common stock ceases to be listed on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or The Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors);

provided, however, that a transaction or event described in clause (i) or (ii) above will not constitute a fundamental change if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of our common stock (excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to dissenters rights), in connection with such transaction or event, consists of shares of common stock or other corporate common equity interests listed (or depositary receipts representing shares of common stock or other corporate common equity interests, which depositary receipts are listed) on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or The Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors), or that will be so listed when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or event, and such transaction or event constitutes a common stock change event whose reference property consists of such consideration.

For the avoidance of doubt, references in this definition to us, and to our “common stock” or “common equity,” will be subject to (i) the provisions described above under the caption “— Consolidation, Merger and

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Asset Sale”; and (ii) the provision described above in clause (iii) of the fifth bullet point under the caption “— Conversion Rights — Effect of Common Stock Change Event.”

For the purposes of this definition, (x) any transaction or event described in both clause (i) and in clause (ii)(1) or (2) above (without regard to the proviso in clause (ii)) will be deemed to occur solely pursuant to clause (ii) above (subject to such proviso); and (y) whether a person is a “beneficial owner,” whether shares are “beneficially owned,” and percentage beneficial ownership, will be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

“Holder” and “noteholder” mean a person in whose name a note is registered in the register for the notes.

“Last reported sale price” of our common stock for any trading day means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the last bid price and the last ask price per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average last bid prices and the average last ask prices per share) of our common stock on such trading day as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed. If our common stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on such trading day, then the last reported sale price will be the last quoted bid price per share of our common stock on such trading day in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our common stock is not so quoted on such trading day, then the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid price and the last ask price per share of our common stock on such trading day from a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm we select, which may include any of the underwriters.

“Make-whole fundamental change” means (i) a fundamental change (determined after giving effect to the proviso immediately after clause (iv) of the definition thereof, but without regard to the proviso to clause (ii)(2) of such definition); or (ii) the sending of any notice of redemption pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Optional Redemption”; provided, however, that the sending of any such notice of redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change only with respect to the notes called (or deemed to be called pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Optional Redemption”) for redemption pursuant to such notice and not with respect to any other notes.

“Make-whole fundamental change conversion period” has the following meaning:

(i)

in the case of a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof, the period from, and including, the make-whole fundamental change effective date of such make-whole fundamental change to, and including, the 35th trading day after such make-whole fundamental change effective date (or, if such make-whole fundamental change also constitutes a fundamental change (other than an exempted fundamental change), to, but excluding, the related fundamental change repurchase date); and

(ii)

in the case of a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the period from, and including, the date we send the redemption notice for the related redemption to, and including, the second business day immediately before the related redemption date;

provided, however, that if the conversion date for the conversion of a note that has been called (or deemed called) for redemption occurs during the make-whole fundamental change conversion period for both a make-whole fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “make-whole fundamental change” and a make-whole fundamental change resulting from such redemption pursuant to clause (ii) of such definition, then, solely for purposes of such conversion, (x) such conversion date will be deemed to occur solely during the make-whole fundamental change conversion period for the make-whole fundamental change with the earlier make-whole fundamental change effective date; and (y) the make-whole fundamental change with the later make-whole fundamental change effective date will be deemed not to have occurred.

“Make-whole fundamental change effective date” means (i) with respect to a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof, the date on which such make-whole fundamental change occurs or becomes effective; and (ii) with respect to a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the applicable “redemption notice date” (as defined below).

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“Market disruption event” means, with respect to any date, the occurrence or existence, during the one-half hour period ending at the scheduled close of trading on such date on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or other market on which our common stock is listed for trading or trades, of any material suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock.

“Maturity date” means June 15, 2026.

“Observation period” means, with respect to any note to be converted, (i) subject to clause (ii) below, if the conversion date for such note occurs before February 17, 2026, the 30 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the second VWAP trading day immediately after such conversion date; (ii) if such conversion date occurs on or after the date we have sent a redemption notice calling such note for redemption and on or before the second business day before the related redemption date, the 30 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the 31st scheduled trading day immediately before such redemption date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii) above, if such conversion date occurs on or after February 17, 2026, the 30 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the 31st scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.

“Open of business” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof. Any division or series of a limited liability company, limited partnership or trust will constitute a separate “person.”

“Redemption notice date” means, with respect to a redemption, the date on which we send the related redemption notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “— Optional Redemption.”

“Scheduled trading day” means any day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then traded. If our common stock is not so listed or traded, then “scheduled trading day” means a business day.

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Significant subsidiary” of any person means any subsidiary of that person that constitutes a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) of that person; provided, however, that, if a subsidiary meets the criteria of clause (1)(iii) of the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Rule 1-02(w) but not clause (1)(i) or (1)(ii) thereof (or, if applicable, the respective successor clauses to the aforementioned clauses), then such subsidiary will be deemed not to be a significant subsidiary of that person unless such subsidiary’s income from continuing operations before income taxes, exclusive of amounts attributable to any non-controlling interests, for the last completed fiscal year before the date of determination exceeds $25,000,000.

“Specified dollar amount” means, with respect to the conversion of a note to which combination settlement applies, the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of such note deliverable upon such conversion (excluding cash in lieu of any fractional share of common stock); provided, however, that in no event will the specified dollar amount be less than $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of such note.

“Stock price” has the following meaning for any make-whole fundamental change: (i) if the holders of our common stock receive only cash in consideration for their shares of common stock in such make-whole fundamental change and such make-whole fundamental change is pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of “fundamental change,” then the stock price is the amount of cash paid per share of our common stock in such make-whole fundamental change; and (ii) in all other cases, the stock price is the average of the last reported sale prices per share of common stock for the five consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the make-whole fundamental change effective date of such make-whole fundamental change.

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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, but after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees, as applicable, of such corporation, association or other business entity is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of such person; and (ii) any partnership or limited liability company where (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, equity and voting interests, or of the general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, of such partnership or limited liability company are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of such person, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or limited liability company interests or otherwise; and (y) such person or any one or more of the other subsidiaries of such person is a controlling general partner of, or otherwise controls, such partnership or limited liability company.

“Trading day” means any day on which (i) trading in our common stock generally occurs on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then traded; and (ii) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined above in this “—Definitions” section). If our common stock is not so listed or traded, then “trading day” means a business day.

“Trading price” of the notes on any trading day means the average of the secondary market bid quotations, expressed as a cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes, obtained by the bid solicitation agent for $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may then be outstanding) in principal amount of notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such trading day from three nationally recognized independent securities dealers we select, which may include any of the underwriters; provided, however, that, if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids will be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent, then that one bid will be used. If, on any trading day, (i) the bid solicitation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may then be outstanding) in principal amount of notes from a nationally recognized independent securities dealer; (ii) we are not acting as the bid solicitation agent and we fail to instruct the bid solicitation agent to obtain bids when required; or (iii) the bid solicitation agent fails to solicit bids when required, then, in each case, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes on such trading day will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day.

“VWAP market disruption event” means, with respect to any date, (i) the failure by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed, or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the principal other market on which our common stock is then traded, to open for trading during its regular trading session on such date; or (ii) the occurrence or existence, for more than one half hour period in the aggregate, of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date.

“VWAP trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no VWAP market disruption event; and (ii) trading in our common stock generally occurs on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then traded. If our common stock is not so listed or traded, then “VWAP trading day” means a business day.

“Wholly owned subsidiary” of a person means any subsidiary of such person, determined by reference to the definition of “subsidiary” above but with each reference therein to “more than 50%” deemed to be replaced with “100%” for purposes of this definition; provided, however, that directors’ qualifying shares will be disregarded for purposes of determining whether any person is a “wholly owned subsidiary” of another person.

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Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance

For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “— Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the captions “Global Securities” and “Description of Debt Securities — Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System.”

Global Notes

The notes will be initially issued in the form of one or more notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, without interest coupons (the “global notes”), and will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC.

Only persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants may own beneficial interests in a global note. We expect that, under procedures established by DTC:

•

upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the underwriters; and

•

ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfers of such interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note).

Book-Entry Procedures for Global Notes

All interests in a global note will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC. Accordingly, you must allow for sufficient time in order to comply with those operations and procedures if you wish to exercise any of your rights with respect to global notes. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by DTC and may be changed at any time. None of us, the trustee or any of the underwriters will be responsible for those operations or procedures.

DTC has advised us that it is:

•

a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

•

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;

•

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

•

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

•

a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to other “indirect participants,” such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, who directly or indirectly clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant. Purchasers of notes who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:

•

will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names;

•

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and

•

will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose.

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As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through whom the investor owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a noteholder under the indenture.

Payments on any global notes will be made to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. None of us, the trustee or any of the underwriters will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, those interests by DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests. Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.

Certificated Notes

A global note will be exchanged, pursuant to customary procedures, for one or more physical notes only if:

•

DTC notifies us or the trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global note or DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act and, in each case, we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days of such notice or cessation;

•

an event of default has occurred and is continuing and we, the trustee or the registrar has received a written request from DTC, or from a holder of a beneficial interest in such global note, to exchange such global note or beneficial interest, as applicable, for one or more physical notes; or

•

we, in our sole discretion, permit the exchange of any beneficial interest in such global note for one or more physical notes at the request of the owner of such beneficial interest.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

The following description of our indebtedness is qualified in their entirety by reference to the governing documents which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2020.

Revolving Credit Facility

On July 30, 2019, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Facility”) which amended and restated in its entirety our prior Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2015. The Facility, which terminates on July 30, 2024, provides us with revolving loan commitments that total $400 million (of which $40 million may be used for issuances of letters of credit). The Facility contains a commitment increase feature that could provide for additional available credit upon our request and subject to the participating lenders electing to increase their commitments or new lenders being added to the Facility. Certain of our material subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Amended Facility.

During fiscal 2019, we utilized the Facility to fund the Acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we increased our borrowings under the Facility to bolster our cash position and enhance financial flexibility given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations. To provide additional financial flexibility, on May 1, 2020, we entered into a First Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Facility (as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Facility”). During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we repaid a portion of the outstanding balance on the Amended Facility such that at December 29, 2020, we had net availability for borrowings of $96.6 million, based on a $280.0 million outstanding debt balance and $23.4 million in standby letters of credit.

On March 30, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Facility (as amended by Amendment and by the Second Amendment, the “Amended Loan Agreement”), with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (“JPMCB”), sole bookrunner and sole lead arranger, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents, Bank of the West, as documentation agent, and the lenders party thereto.

The Amended Loan Agreement provides for, among other things, (i) an extension of the Company’s existing covenant relief period, which had been scheduled to end with the delivery of the Company’s compliance certificate reflecting compliance with the Company’s financial covenants as of the quarter ending on or after June 29, 2021, and will now end when the Company demonstrates compliance with its financial covenants as of the quarter ending on or after December 28, 2021 (the “Covenant Relief Period”), during which the Company is not required to comply with financial covenants requiring maintenance of a maximum ratio of net adjusted debt to EBITDAR (the “Net Adjusted Leverage Ratio”) of 4.75 to 1.00 and a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to interest and rent expense of 1.90 to 1.00 (the “EBITDAR to Interest and Rental Expense Ratio”), (ii) the Company being subject to a monthly liquidity covenant until the calendar month when the Company has demonstrated compliance with its financial covenants as of the quarter ending December 28, 2021, that requires liquidity of the Company and its subsidiaries to be at least $100,000,000 at the end of each calendar month (with liquidity being the sum of (a) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and (b) the unused portion of the revolving facility), (iii) granting JPMCB a lien on substantially all of the Company’s and any guarantor’s property, with such collateral to be released upon (a) the termination of the Covenant Relief Period, (b) the Company’s compliance with the Net Adjusted Leverage Ratio and the EBITDAR to Interest and Rental Expense Ratio as of the quarter ending on or after March 29, 2022, (c) the Company nor any of the guarantors having incurred unsecured debt using certain debt baskets under the Amended Loan Agreement unless such debt is convertible debt or subordinated on customary debt subordination terms reasonably acceptable to JPMCB, and (d) no default or event of default having occurred or be continuing, and (iv) the payment and declaration of cash dividends with respect to the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock per each fiscal quarter ending on or prior to December 28, 2021 in an amount not to exceed $5,250,000.

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership, conversion and disposition of notes and the ownership and disposition of the shares of common stock into which the notes may be converted, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the notes or the shares of common stock into which the notes may be converted. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, conversion and disposition of the notes and the ownership and disposition of shares of common stock into which the notes may be converted.

Except where noted, this summary addresses only a note or share of common stock received upon conversion of a note that is held as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment) by a beneficial owner who purchased the note on original issuance for cash at its “issue price” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial portion of the notes is sold for cash to persons other than bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). In addition, this summary does not address any beneficial owner of a note that participates in the preferred stock repurchase and conversion. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes relevant to holders of a note or common stock (including the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income), nor does it address all tax consequences that may be relevant to such holders in light of their personal circumstances or particular situations, such as:

•

tax consequences to holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, including dealers in securities or currencies, banks or other financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, governmental organizations, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” insurance companies or traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting for their securities;

•

tax consequences to persons holding notes or common stock as a part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction or a straddle, or persons deemed to sell notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

•

tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

•

tax consequences to investors that hold notes or common stock through pass-through entities or arrangements;

•

tax consequences to persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the notes or common stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code); and

•

any alternative minimum tax consequences.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes or common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of such partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes holding notes or common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, CONVERSION AND DISPOSITION OF

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NOTES AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS (INCLUDING ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS), UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

As used herein, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a note or common stock received upon conversion of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

•

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

•

a trust, if it (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a note or common stock received upon conversion of a note that is an individual, corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder. Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders such as corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax or, in certain circumstances, individuals who are U.S. expatriates. Consequently, non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them in light of their particular circumstances.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

Interest on the Notes

Interest on a note generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. holder’s usual method of accounting for tax purposes. It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued with less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Additional Payments

In certain circumstances, we may be obligated to make payments on the notes in excess of stated principal and interest. We intend to take the position that these contingencies should not cause the notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments under the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. Assuming such position is respected by the IRS, a U.S. holder would be required to include in income the amount of any such additional payments at the time such payments are received or accrued in accordance with such U.S. holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our position is binding on a U.S. holder, unless the holder discloses in the proper manner to the IRS that it is taking a different position. If the IRS successfully challenged our position, and the notes were treated as contingent payment debt instruments, a U.S. holder would be required to accrue interest income at a rate higher than the stated interest, regardless of the U.S. holder’s method of accounting, and to treat as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, any gain recognized on a sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a note (including all gain upon conversion, even if the U.S. holder receives shares of common stock). This discussion assumes that the notes will not be considered contingent payment debt instruments and that no such additional payments will be due. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application to the notes of the contingent payment debt instrument rules and the consequences thereof.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

Except as provided below under “— Conversion of Notes,” a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note (including an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Exchange in Lieu of Conversion”). The amount of such gain or loss will generally be equal to the

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difference between the amount received for the note in cash or other property valued at fair market value (less accrued but unpaid interest which will be treated as described above under “— Interest on the Notes”) and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be equal to the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the note plus the amount, if any, included in income as a dividend by the U.S. holder on an adjustment (or failure to make an adjustment) to the conversion rate of the note, as described in “— Constructive Distributions” below.

Any gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss. If, at the time of the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. holder held the note for more than one year, such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss. In the case of certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals), long-term capital gains are generally taxable at reduced rates. A U.S. holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

Conversion of Notes

If a U.S. holder presents a note for conversion, the U.S. holder may receive solely cash or a combination of cash and common stock in exchange for the note, depending upon our chosen settlement method.

If a U.S. holder receives solely cash in exchange for a note upon conversion, the U.S. holder’s gain or loss will be determined in the same manner as if the U.S. holder disposed of the notes in a taxable disposition (as described above under “— Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”).

As described below, the tax treatment of a conversion of a note into cash and common stock is uncertain and subject to different possible characterizations, and U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the consequences of such a conversion.

Treatment as a Recapitalization. If a combination of cash and common stock is received by a U.S. holder upon conversion of a note (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Exchange in Lieu of Conversion,” which would be taxable as described above under “— Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”), we intend to take the position that the notes are securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and to treat the conversion as a recapitalization. In such case, gain, but not loss, would be recognized by the U.S. holder equal to the excess of the fair market value of common stock (including any fractional share) and cash received (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be treated as described above under “— Interest on the Notes”, and other than any cash received in lieu of a fractional share) over the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note, but in no event would the gain recognized exceed the amount of cash received (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest). Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on conversion of a note generally would be capital gain or loss and generally would be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the conversion, the note has been held for more than one year. The tax basis of common stock received upon such a conversion (including any fractional share deemed to be received by the U.S. holder, but excluding any common stock attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, the tax basis of which would equal its fair market value) would equal the adjusted tax basis of the note that was converted, reduced by the amount of any cash received (excluding cash received in lieu of a fractional share or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest), and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized (other than gain recognized on any cash received with respect to a fractional share). A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be equal to the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the note plus the amount, if any, included in income as a dividend by the U.S. holder on an adjustment (or failure to make an adjustment) to the conversion rate of the note, as described in “— Constructive Distributions” below. A U.S. holder’s holding period for common stock would include the period during which the U.S. holder held the note, except that the holding period for any common stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest would commence on the day after the common stock is received.

Alternative Treatment as Part Conversion and Part Redemption. If the conversion of a note into cash and common stock (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Exchange in Lieu of Conversion,” which would be taxable as described above under “— Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”) were not treated as a recapitalization as discussed above, the cash payment received (excluding cash received in

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lieu of a fractional share or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) may be treated as proceeds from the redemption of a portion of the note and taxed in the manner described above under “— Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” in which case common stock received on such a conversion would be treated as received upon a conversion of the other portion of the note, which generally would not be taxable to a U.S. holder except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a fractional share or with respect to accrued but unpaid interest. In that case, the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note would generally be allocated pro rata between the portion of the note that is treated as converted into common stock and the portion of the note that is treated as sold for cash based on the fair market value of such common stock and the cash received. The holding period for common stock received in the conversion would include the holding period for the note, except that the holding period for any common stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest would commence on the day after the common stock is received.

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. The amount of gain or loss a U.S. holder will recognize on the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash the U.S. holder receives in respect of the fractional share and the portion of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in common stock received that is allocable to the fractional share, as determined by allocating the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received (including the fractional share deemed received) between the common stock actually received upon conversion and the fractional share, in accordance with their respective fair market values. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and generally will be long-term capital gain or loss, if at the time of the conversion, the note has been held for more than one year.

Distributions

Distributions, if any, made with respect to our common stock, other than certain pro rata distributions of common stock, generally will be included in the income of a U.S. holder of common stock as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be applied against and reduce the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such adjusted tax basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. Dividends received by a corporate U.S. holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations. Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

Constructive Distributions

The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain circumstances. Adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing, for a U.S. holder of notes, the U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits may, in some circumstances, result in a deemed distribution to the U.S. holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes even though no cash or property is received. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes, however, will generally not result in a deemed distribution to a U.S. holder.

Certain of the conversion rate adjustments provided in the notes (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to holders of common stock) may not qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, a U.S. holder of notes will be deemed to have received a distribution even though the U.S. holder has not received any cash or property as a result of such conversion rate adjustment. In addition, an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may, in some circumstances, be treated as a deemed distribution. Any deemed distribution will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain as described above under “— Distributions.”

However, it is unclear whether a constructive dividend deemed paid to a non-corporate U.S. holder would be eligible for the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates as described above under “— Distributions.” It is also unclear whether corporate U.S. holders would be entitled to claim the dividends received deduction with respect to any such constructive dividends. Generally, a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will be increased to the extent any such constructive distribution is treated as a dividend. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors on the impact a constructive distribution may have on their holding period in the notes.

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We are currently required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and holders of notes not exempt from information reporting. The IRS has issued proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, as well as obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers in respect of such deemed distributions. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a deemed distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the conversion rate adjustment over the fair market value of the right to acquire stock without the adjustment, (ii) the deemed distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to impose any applicable withholding on deemed distributions and, if there is no associated cash payment, may withhold the required amounts from, or set off the required amounts against, payments on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of an investor and (iv) we are required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and all holders of notes (including holders of notes that would otherwise be exempt from information reporting). The regulations will be effective for deemed distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption as final regulations, but holders of notes and withholding agents may rely on the proposed regulations prior to that date under certain circumstances.

Sales, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common Stock

Upon sales, certain redemptions or other taxable dispositions of common stock, a U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock. Any gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of common stock generally will be capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. holder’s holding period at the time of the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of common stock is more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) are generally eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible Effect of a Change in Conversion Consideration

In certain situations, the notes may become convertible into shares of an acquirer or other consideration. Depending on the circumstances, such an event could result in a deemed taxable exchange of the notes to a U.S. holder, potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss. Subsequent to any such event, depending on the circumstances, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and conversion of the modified notes as well as the ownership of the shares of the applicable acquirer or other consideration may be different from the U.S. federal income tax consequences addressed in this discussion. Holders of notes should consult their tax advisors regarding U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to a change in conversion consideration.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

Interest on the Notes

Subject to the discussion below under “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding — Non-U.S. Holders” and “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” U.S. federal withholding tax will not be applied to any payment of interest on a note to a non-U.S. holder that is not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, provided that:

•

the non-U.S. holder does not actually or constructively own (pursuant to the conversion feature of the notes or otherwise) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock that are entitled to vote;

•

the non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us (actually or constructively) through stock ownership; and

•

the non-U.S. holder (a) provides its name and address, and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form)) or (b) holds the notes through certain foreign intermediaries and the non-U.S. holder and the foreign intermediaries satisfy the certification requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations.

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If a non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless the non-U.S. holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (i) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the notes is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base, then (although the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the 30% withholding tax provided the certification requirements discussed above are satisfied) the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis generally in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder. In addition, if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lesser rate under an applicable income tax treaty) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

Dividends and Constructive Distributions

Any amount treated as a dividend (as discussed above under “Consequences to U.S. Holders — Distributions”) paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to our common stock (and any deemed dividends resulting from certain adjustments, or failures to make adjustments, to the conversion rate of the notes, as described above under “Consequences to U.S. Holders — Constructive Distributions”) will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base, are not subject to the withholding tax, but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable individual or corporate rates. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be complied with (generally, by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form)) in order for effectively connected income to be exempt from withholding. Any such effectively connected income received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, also be subject to a branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Any applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) with respect to deemed dividends may be withheld from or set off against interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase or maturity of the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of such non-U.S. holder.

A non-U.S. holder who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty rate is required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements (generally, by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form)). If a non-U.S. holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Sale, Exchange, Certain Redemptions, Conversion or Other Taxable Dispositions of Notes or Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below under “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding — Non- U.S. Holders” and “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” any gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder on the sale, exchange (including an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes — Conversion Rights — Exchange in Lieu of Conversion”), certain redemptions, conversion or other taxable dispositions of a note or common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

•

that gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base);

•

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

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•

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the non-U.S. holder’s holding period or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of the note or common stock, as the case may be, and certain other conditions are met.

If you are a non-U.S. holder and you realize gain described in the first bullet point above, you will be subject to tax at regular U.S. federal income tax rates on the net gain derived from the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable disposition of a note or common stock, generally in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder, and, if you are a foreign corporation, you additionally may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of your effectively connected earnings and profits, or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are described in the second bullet point above, you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate) on the gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable disposition of a note or common stock (which gain may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses), even though you are not considered a resident of the United States. We believe we are not, and we do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Any amounts (including common stock) that a non-U.S. holder receives on a sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable disposition of a note that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest will be treated as interest and may be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in accordance with the rules described above under “— Interest on the Notes.”

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

U.S. Holders

Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of interest and deemed dividends on the notes (if any), dividends on our common stock and the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of a note or common stock paid to a U.S. holder unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient, and if required, certifies as to that status. Backup withholding generally will apply to those payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide an appropriate certification with its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise establish an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

Generally, the amount of interest and deemed distributions on the notes (if any) and distributions on our common stock paid to non-U.S. holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holders. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest, deemed distributions, distributions and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in a country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of interest or deemed dividends on a note or dividends on our common stock, provided the statement described above in the last bullet point under “Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders — Interest on the Notes” has been received or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption. In addition, a non-U.S. holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of a note or common stock conducted within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as “FATCA”) generally impose a withholding tax at a rate of 30% on interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) paid on, and (subject to the

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proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations discussed below) the gross proceeds of a disposition of, debt obligations or stock of a United States corporation paid to (i) a foreign financial institution, or FFI, whether as a beneficial owner or intermediary, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which would include certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners), or qualifies for an exemption from these rules, and (ii) a foreign entity that is not a financial institution (whether as a beneficial owner or intermediary for another foreign entity that is not a financial institution) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the substantial U.S. owners of the entity, which generally include any U.S. person who directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of the entity, or qualifies for an exemption from these rules. A person that receives payments through one or more FFIs may receive reduced payments as a result of FATCA withholding taxes if (i) any such FFI does not enter into such an agreement with the U.S. government and does not otherwise establish an exemption, or (ii) such person is (a) a “recalcitrant account holder” or (b) itself an FFI that fails to enter into such an agreement or establish an exemption. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

The applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance provide that the FATCA withholding rules will apply to payments of interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) regardless of when they are made (or deemed made). While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of notes or common stock, proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations until final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued. Investors are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of these rules on their investment in our notes and common stock.

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THE CONCURRENT OFFERING

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, pursuant to a separate prospectus supplement, $175,000,000 of our common stock at a public offering price of $ per share, which we refer to as the “concurrent offering.” We have granted the underwriters of the concurrent offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $26,250,000 shares of our common stock. We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the concurrent offering, if it is consummated, will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters of the concurrent offering fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses.

The completion of this offering is not contingent on the completion of the concurrent offering, and the completion of the concurrent offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering. Accordingly, you should not assume that the concurrent offering will be consummated on the terms described in this prospectus supplement, if at all, or that we will receive any additional proceeds from the concurrent offering. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities being offered in the concurrent offering. The prospectus supplement for the concurrent offering does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the notes, or the shares of common stock, if any, issuable upon conversion of the notes, we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

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UNDERWRITING

We are offering the notes described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as a book-running manager of the offering and as representative of the underwriters. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriter’s name in the following table:

Underwriter	Principal Amount of Notes
J.P Morgan Securities LLC		$
BNP Paribas Corp.
BofA Securities, Inc.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Total		$	300,000,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the notes (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the notes. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering of the notes to the public, if all of the notes are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of any notes made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the first issuance of notes, to purchase up to $45.0 million additional aggregate principal amount of notes at the public offering price less the discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase an additional aggregate principal amount of notes approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any notes issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other notes that are the subject of this offering.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes). These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

Paid by The Cheesecake
Factory Incorporated

No Exercise

Full Exercise

Per Note

Total

We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be $ .

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of notes to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage

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account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will not (i) offer, pledge, lend, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with, or submit to, the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock or (ii) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of our common stock or such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

Our executive officers, directors and a significant shareholder (such persons, the “lock-up parties”) have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with certain exceptions, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus (such period, the “restricted period”), may not (and may not cause any of their direct or indirect affiliates to), without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such lock-up parties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant (collectively with the common stock, the “lock-up securities”)), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the lock-up securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any lock-up securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing. Such persons or entities have further acknowledged that these undertakings preclude them from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (by any person or entity, whether or not a signatory to such agreement) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any lock-up securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraphs and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and the lock-up parties do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including, without limitation, (a) transfers of lock-up securities: (i) as bona fide gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes, (ii) by will or intestacy, (iii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or any immediate family member, or if the lockup-party is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust (iv) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the lock-up party and its immediate family members are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests, (v) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (iv), (vi) by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement or another court order, (vii) to us from an employee upon death, disability or termination of employment of such employee, (viii) as part of a sale of lock-up securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering, or (ix) to us in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of our common stock (including “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments; (b) exercise of the options, settlement of RSUs or other equity awards, or the exercise of warrants granted pursuant to plans described in in this prospectus supplement, provided that any lock-up securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement would be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; and (c) the establishment by lock-up parties of trading plans under

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Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of lock-up securities during the restricted period.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling notes in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of notes, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of notes than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing notes on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional notes referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional notes, in whole or in part, or by purchasing notes in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of notes available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase notes through the option to purchase additional notes. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the notes in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase notes in the open market to cover the position.

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future. In addition, affiliates of some of the underwriters are lenders under our revolving credit facility. To the extent we use a portion of the net proceeds to repay outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, affiliates of certain underwriters may receive a portion of the proceeds of this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a

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misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, a relevant member state), each manager has represented and agreed that it has not made and will not make an offer of securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public in that relevant member state other than:

•

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

•

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant manager or managers nominated by us for any such offer; or

•

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or a supplemental prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any notes or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

We, the underwriters and their affiliates, will rely on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representation, warranty and agreement.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in relation to any securities in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2018/1129, as amended.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

An offer to the public of any notes may not be made in the United Kingdom, except that an offer to the public in the United Kingdom of any notes may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:

•

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

•

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), in the United Kingdom, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

•

in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, “FSMA”),

provided that no such offer of notes shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any notes or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

We, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representation, warranty and agreement.

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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms parts of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

Each underwriter (i) has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance; and (ii) has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the notes nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor(as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”)) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except: (i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; (ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; (iii) where the transfer is by operation of law; (iv) as specified in

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Please note that the SEC’s website is included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement as an inactive textual reference only. The information contained on the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, except as described in the following paragraph. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facility.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Certain information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until all the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold and all conditions to the consummation of such sales have been satisfied, except that we are not incorporating any information included in a Current Report on Form 8-K that has been or will be furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by a reference in a furnished Current Report on Form 8-K or other furnished document:

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021;

•

The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2021;

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2021;

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 17, 2021 (excluding Items 2.02, 7.01 and 9.01), April 5, 2021 and June 2, 2021 (excluding Item 7.01); and

•

The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, declared effective by the SEC on September 17, 1992, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the description therein, including the description of the Company’s capital stock filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all of the documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Requests for such copies should be directed to the following address:

Investor Relations
The Cheesecake Factory
26901 Malibu Hills Road
Calabasas 91301
(818) 871-3000

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

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PROSPECTUS

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities

We may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CAKE.” On June 9, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $61.61 per share.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 10, 2021.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the most current prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

Our website address is www.thecheesecakefactory.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021;

•

The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2021;

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2021;

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 17, 2021 (excluding Items 2.02, 7.01 and 9.01), April 5, 2021 and June 2, 2021 (excluding Item 7.01); and

•

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act” in this prospectus, prior to the termination of this offering but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our common stock is based on our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or Certificate of Incorporation, and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, or Bylaws. This description is in summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, and the complete text of our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2018 and Exhibit 3.8 to our the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 27, 2009, respectively.

Authorized Shares of Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of:

•

250,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share; and

•

5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share.

As of June 8, 2021, 46,559,860 shares of common stock, and 200,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, were issued and outstanding.

Voting Rights

The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question, including the election of directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Company, our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws, and subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred stock, matters will generally be decided by the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote thereon. Subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred stock, our Bylaws provide that directors will be elected by a plurality of votes cast by the holders of the shares entitled to vote thereon, provided that, in the case of uncontested elections, directors failing to receive a majority of votes cast must tender their irrevocable resignation for consideration by the board of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may apply to any preferred stock outstanding and the applicable restrictions under our credit facilities, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the time and in the amounts that the board of directors may determine from time to time.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of the Company, if any, remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.

Other Rights and Preferences

Our common stock has no sinking fund, redemption provisions, or preemptive, conversion or exchange rights.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “CAKE.”

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Shareholder Services.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law

Only the chairman of the board of directors, or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors, may call a special meeting of stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent.

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Our Certificate of Incorporation may be amended in accordance with Delaware law; provided, however, that subject to the powers and rights provided for any preferred stock then outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with certain articles contained in our Certificate of Incorporation or to add an article or provision imposing cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted, (i) by the board of directors, or (ii) by the stockholders upon the vote of the holders of at least 80% of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. Under Section 203, we would generally be prohibited from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that this stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

•

prior to this time, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

•

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

•

at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Under Section 203, a “business combination” includes:

•

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

•

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

•

any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder, subject to limited exceptions;

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any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

As used in this section only, “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

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the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

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the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

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the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

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the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

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the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

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any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

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the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

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the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

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the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

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the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

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if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

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the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

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any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

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any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

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any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

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any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

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the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

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any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

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whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. (Section 2.2)

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt

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securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:

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we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us. (Section 5.1)

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Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

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default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

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default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or the Company and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

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certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company;

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any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. (Section 6.1)

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

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that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

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the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

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to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

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to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

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to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

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to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

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to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

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to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

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to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

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to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

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to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

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to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. Subject to the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, we may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

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reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

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reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

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reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

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reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

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waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

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make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

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waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

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Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

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we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

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any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

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depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Securityholders

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or securityholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (Section 10.10)

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

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a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

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a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

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a member of the Federal Reserve System;

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a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

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a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

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Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below and unless if otherwise provided in the description of the applicable securities herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

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DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

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we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

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an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities, and DTC or a holder of a beneficial interest in the global security has requested to exchange such global security or beneficial interest, as applicable, for one or more physical certificates,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

Euroclear and Clearstream

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may hold interests in a global security through Clearstream Banking S.A., which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” either directly if you are a participant in Clearstream or Euroclear or indirectly through organizations which are participants in Clearstream or Euroclear. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their respective participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in such depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

Clearstream and Euroclear are securities clearance systems in Europe. Clearstream and Euroclear hold securities for their respective participating organizations and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between those participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.

Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global securities owned through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, are also subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers and other transactions involving any beneficial interests in global securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

	Fiscal year
	2018		2019		2020		1Q 2020		1Q 2021
Cash flow from operations(1)		291		219		3		(33)		22
Capital expenditures/investments		128		99		50		16		8
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)		163		119		(47)		(49)		13