The Wendy's Company announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Wendy's International, Inc., has entered into an agreement to refinance its existing credit facility. Subject to certain closing conditions, the company expects the transaction to close on May 16, 2013.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo are acting as joint lead arrangers in the transaction.
The company expects this refinancing to generate more than $19 million in ongoing annual interest expense savings, in addition to the approximately $30 million in ongoing annual net interest expense savings from the Company's 2012 refinancing. Based on current market conditions, the refinancing represents a year-over-year reduction in interest expense of approximately 175 basis points.
Details of the refinancing are as follows:
- Refinancing of $350 million of the approximately $1,119 million senior secured Term Loan B into a new senior secured Term Loan A, which will have an interest rate margin of 2.25 percent for Eurodollar rate loans (and no floor) and will mature in May 2018, one year earlier than the Term Loan B.
- Extension of the maturity of the $200 million revolving credit facility by one year (from May 2017 to May 2018).
- Repricing of the remaining Term Loan B balance of approximately $769 million by reducing the interest rate margin from 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent for Eurodollar rate loans and by reducing the floor from 1.25 percent to 0.75 percent for Eurodollar rate loans.
The refinancing does not contain any material changes to existing covenants or other terms of the credit facility, beyond those described above. The company anticipates certain fees and noncash expenses associated with the transaction, but does not expect to incur any prepayment premiums as a result of the refinancing. The company expects to maintain its current leverage ratios as a result of the refinancing.
View the entire Wendy's release.